3 days ago
ActionSA joins growing list of organisations pulling out of 'national dialogue'
Athol Trolip
Image: PARLIAMENT RSA
ACTIONSA has become the latest organisation to withdraw from participating in the National Dialogue, saying it will only send a delegation to 'exercise oversight' during this Friday's convention.
'ActionSA remains unconvinced that any of the concerns raised by key stakeholders, organisers and the broader public have been addressed. There is an insistence on forging ahead despite serious, unresolved questions, particularly regarding the lawful appropriation of the budget, a matter on which no parliamentary committee has been duly engaged. Consequently, ActionSA will not participate in or lend legitimacy to a process under these circumstances,' said the party's Parliamentary leader Athol Trolip.
The first National Convention from August 15 to 16 is set to take place at UNISA's main campus in Pretoria.
The road to the first convention has been marred by controversy with several legacy foundations withdrawing from taking part.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, along with other prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation cited concerns over the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and shift towards government control as reasons for their withdrawal.
"We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed," Mbeki said.
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"This is due to our belief that core principles meant to underpin the whole National Dialogue have been violated in the rush to host a gathering on 15 August."
In a joint statement, the foundations highlighted several issues, including a rushed timeline saying that the convention's constrained logistics have turned it into a performative milestone rather than a meaningful launch of a national process.
The foundations also cited the absence of a confirmed, approved budget allocation and last-minute commitment of initial funds have made sound preparation impossible and deep disagreements exist within the Preparatory Task Team over the nature of the dialogue, readiness, governance, and risk.
ActionSA expects its two member delegation made of MPs Dr Kgosi Letlape MP and Lerato Ngobeni MP to report back accordingly.
'We are reminded that the only reason we are confronted with this fraught National Dialogue is that all parties in the GNU committed to it through the signed statement of intent. Yet, these parties now refuse to take responsibility for the process or to exercise any oversight over its unfolding, leaving a void that demands scrutiny. ActionSA will therefore step in to safeguard the interests of South Africans and ensure proper oversight and accountability over every cent spent on this National Dialogue.,' said Trolip.
