Latest news with #Motlanthe
The South African
a day ago
- Politics
- The South African
Kgalema Motlanthe denies withdrawing from National Dialogue
Former President Kgalema Motlanthe has dismissed reports that his foundation pulled out of last week's National Dialogue Convention, calling such claims misleading and inaccurate. In a statement from the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF), officials explained that, unlike the Thabo Mbeki, FW de Klerk, and Desmond and Leah Tutu foundations which withdrew over disagreements with the Presidency on timelines and budgets. Motlanthe's foundation was never part of the convention's preparatory committee. Motlanthe said he was invited in his capacity but could not attend due to longstanding commitments tied to his foundation's work. 'It stands to reason that there is no way that we could have officially withdrawn from a process that we were not involved in forming and not a full participant in,' the statement read. He added that he sent a letter of support dated 13 August 2025 to the Secretariat of the National Dialogue, despite his absence. Motlanthe emphasised the importance of an inclusive dialogue. 'Each organisation contributes uniquely to our society. We must ensure all voices are heard.' As public scrutiny deepens, the success of the National Dialogue will depend on its ability to regain trust and genuinely reflect South Africa's diverse concerns. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Kgalema Motlanthe sets the record straight: 'We never withdrew from National Dialogue'
Former President Kgalema Motlanthe sets record straight on pulling out of National Dialogue. Image: Supplied. Former President Kgalema Motlanthe has firmly dismissed claims that his foundation withdrew from last week's National Dialogue Convention, stating that such reports are misleading and inaccurate. In a statement issued by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF), it was clarified that, unlike the Thabo Mbeki, FW de Klerk, and Desmond and Leah Tutu foundations—which pulled out of the process over disputes with the Presidency regarding timelines and budgetary concerns—Motlanthe's foundation was never part of the convention's preparatory committee. Motlanthe revealed he was invited to attend the gathering in his capacity, but had longstanding commitments tied to the foundation's work. "In the light of several recent publications suggesting that I have withdrawn from the National Convention, it is important to state that the KMF was never part of any federation of foundations, nor part of any preparatory task teams that make up the committees of the National Convention of South Africa, respectively. "It stands to reason that there is no way that we could have officially withdrawn from a process that we were not involved in forming and not a full participant in," the statement read. "As a result, I was unfortunately unable to attend the National Convention at UNISA. However, I sent a letter of support dated August 13, 2025, to the Secretariat of the National Dialogue." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The withdrawal of key legacy foundations cast a shadow over the convention's credibility, sparking public skepticism. Many South Africans have voiced growing frustration over what they perceive as a lack of transparency, rushed planning, and political posturing behind the so-called National Dialogue. Critics argue the process is increasingly alienating civil society rather than uniting it. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his weekly newsletter, attempted to calm tensions by announcing the establishment of a new steering committee—comprised of civil society representatives—to work alongside the group of eminent persons revealed in July. This body, expected to be formed by the end of August, will guide the next phase of the dialogue. Motlanthe, known for his statesmanlike tone, expressed hope that the dialogue evolves into a platform of equals. 'Each organisation contributes uniquely to our society. We must ensure all voices are heard.' As public scrutiny deepens, the success of the National Dialogue may ultimately depend on whether it can regain trust and genuinely reflect the nation's diverse concerns. IOL Politics
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Motlanthe clarifies National Convention absence, says it's untrue his foundation withdrew from process
CAPE TOWN - Former President Kgalema Motlanthe has moved to clarify his absence at the National Convention last week, saying it was untrue that his foundation withdrew from the process. His foundation said it was never part of the preparatory team like the other legacy foundations who pulled out because of disagreements with the Presidency over process and budget. In a statement, Motlanthe said he was invited as a guest in his personal capacity, but already had prior commitments related to the work of his foundation. ALSO READ: • Thabo Mbeki Foundation not ruling out National Dialogue return after withdrawing from National Convention • Criticism from National Convention delegates important - Mazibuko • Some delegates deem National Convention a success • Ramaphosa: SA has 'always dialogued' to solve its 'most intractable problems' • National Dialogue organisers aiming to speak to 10 million SAns by end of process The Thabo Mbeki, FW de Klerk and Desmond and Leah Tutu foundations were among those that withdrew from the National Convention after clashing with NEDLAC over a date for the convention they believed was premature. But Motlanthe said, unlike these legacy foundations, his was not involved in any preparatory work and therefore could not be viewed to have snubbed the first gathering in the dialogue process. Motlanthe said that despite not being able to attend the two-day event, he sent organisers a letter of support. "We remain committed to fostering spaces for inclusive dialogue, and to supporting every effort aimed at building a democratic, just and cohesive society," reads the statement. Motlanthe said he hopes the National Dialogue was one of equals because each civil society organisation played its own role and they all hope to contribute to society in unique ways. Writing in his weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that a steering committee representative of civil society groups would be set up by the end of August to lead the rest of the dialogue process in conjunction with the eminent persons group he announced in July.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation: Empowering the needy through education
Former President Kgalema Motlanthe. Image: Tracey Adams EXECUTIVE Trustee of the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF), Gugu Motlanthe, is a community builder on a mission. The plight of learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds is her top priority as she steers KMF towards alleviating hardships and modern-day challenges. The truth about democratic South Africa is that virtually everybody with a semblance of honesty can attest to Thabo Mbeki's lamentations of 'one country, two economies' — one white and affluent and the other black and in dire straits. It is against this backdrop that Motlanthe and KMF remain resolute and relentless in their programme to help take children from impoverished township and village backgrounds out of their perennial hardship through educational empowerment initiatives. Together with other media, I was privileged to receive a KMF invitation to join a group of Grade XI learners from Forte Secondary School in Soweto and Westbury Secondary School in Johannesburg on 'extra-curricular activities' at the KMF HQ in Houghton, Johannesburg, recently. The KMF philanthropic mission includes offering disadvantaged children training in, among others, robotics and coding, computer gamification, multimedia podcasting as well as drone technology. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The aim, of course, is to bring South Africa's lower rung learners up to speed with their affluent counterparts in an economically unequal country they all call home, and owe allegiance to at least, just perhaps, such interventions could assist in producing learners equipped to tackle tertiary education with fear or intimidation. It is easy to take things for granted, but many village and township learners become exposed to today's opportunities for the very first time when they are invited by Motlanthe to visit the KMF premises to learn. There is also a hidden bonus for the visiting learners, always. They get to meet face-to-face, for the very first time, with South Africa's former President Kgalema Motlanthe, who is the patron of the KMF. Although the groups of learners are often large as they straddle from one side of the KMF premises, the lucky ones also get to shake the hand of the unassuming former President, and also pose for photographs with him and Motlanthe and other staffers of the KMF, including the security personnel. The learners are also well looked after. They are served a delicious meal with drinks in a country where one meal a day is a luxury for many. Speaking in her capacity as the executive trustee, Motlanthe says: 'As a Public Benefit Organisation, the KMF is intentional on bridging gaps in education, with the target being the youth of the country. The research and curriculum development are currently underway for the KMF to soon offer solar and wind energy training to unemployed youth.' This will help tackle the runaway youth unemployment in the country, where an astronomical number of youth graduates are sitting at home without jobs, some for as long as 15 years. Additionally, in a country facing increasing energy insecurity over the past decade, training in solar and wind energy could bring about new opportunities for the fast-becoming hopeless unemployed youths. Solar installations and maintenance have become a key industry in an era of load shedding. I watched a podcast training session underway at the KMF. The learners were visibly elated, over the moon. Some were seeing the live studio for the first time. As they took the mic one after the other, some became too emotional to handle the joy of the opportune moment. Overcome by emotion, they sobbed and cried, as if they never believed such abundant love could be shown by the caring KMF. The KMF premises are a hive of activity. At the back end are digitised vegetable gardens from where frequent harvest takes place for distribution to the needy. Even a small poultry project comprising a few dozen egg-layers features among the myriad programmes. Occasionally, Motlanthe does donate free eggs as well. The KMF is an entity that keeps both Motlanthe and the former President busy as bees. However, watching them at work, it is easy to tell that they both have a heart to render assistance to others, especially the less fortunate. There can be no doubt that contribution, albeit in relatively small measure, will help to make South Africa a better place for all who live in it. * Abbey Makoe is the chief executive and editor-in-chief of the Global South Media Network. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media or IOL.
