With just days remaining until the highly anticipated National Dialogue, South Africa’s Presidency is engulfed in a significant dispute with civil society organisations over the event’s direction and associated costs. As tensions rise, the government stands firm in its commitment to proceed with the convention scheduled for this coming Friday.
The government has stated that the overall budget for the National Dialogue will be determined only after establishing the definitive structure and format for the accompanying community dialogues. However, concerns have intensified since revelations emerged that the initial projections for the dialogue could exceed R700 million. Critics question whether the nation can sustain such an expense given its tightly constrained fiscal environment and the pressing demands for political and social reform.
On Friday, a coalition of seven legacy foundations, including those linked to former presidents Thabo Mbeki and FW de Klerk, announced their withdrawal from participation, citing inadequate funding and lack of preparation time as their reasons. This exodus has left the Presidency scrambling to assert that the event will go on as planned despite these setbacks.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed unwavering confidence in the dialogue’s execution, voicing that postponement would not be feasible. “We need this process to be in motion so that necessary discussions regarding the country’s challenges can commence,” he stated emphatically.
The Presidency has highlighted that financial support will be sourced from both NEDLAC and its internal budget, with assurances from spokesperson Vincent Magwenya that public funds will be subjected to rigorous monitoring. “The reduced cost associated with the hosting of the National Dialogue and the funding plan take into consideration our responsibility to minimise impact on the fiscus,” he explained.
In a bid to ease the financial pressure, alternative arrangements have been initiated: The University of South Africa has generously offered free venues for the dialogues, while donations have been secured for essential elements such as screens for public viewing and transportation for delegates. In the wake of the foundational withdrawals, the inter-ministerial committee, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, has been mobilising resources and seeking in-kind contributions to ensure the dialogue can facilitate the necessary discussions around rebuilding a stifled national unity amidst pressing socio-economic challenges.
The controversy surrounding the funding and purpose of this event highlights a broader challenge in South Africa, as many citizens are called upon to become more engaged and active in response to the ongoing struggles facing the nation. With substantial public interest and scrutiny surrounding the dialogue, the upcoming convention promises to be a pivotal moment in determining the future direction for the country.