By Thapelo Molefe
More than 550 delegates from 28 sectors have confirmed attendance for the first national convention of the National Dialogue this week, with organisers projecting close to a full house of 1000 participants despite the withdrawal of several major legacy foundations.
The Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, FW de Klerk Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation withdrew last week over over concerns about procurement processes and delays in funding.
They warned that the process should not be rushed, saying there had been an unacceptable shift from a citizen-led to a government-controlled process.
According to the National Convention Organising Committee, 755 invitations have been issued to representatives from over 30 sectors and 200 organisations. Of these, 557 people have confirmed that they will attend the event at the University of South Africa from Friday to Sunday.
The remaining seats are being allocated to organisations that have since requested to join, with organisers saying on Monday that interest wad growing daily.
Briefing the media, committee chairperson Boichoko Ditlhake said the event would launch a months-long process of community and sectoral engagements across the country, culminating in a second convention in 2026.
Ditlhake said that there was “no need for unnecessary delays” in starting the dialogue.
“We must move swiftly to hand over the process to civil society and citizen organisations that have a genuine interest in solving the challenges our country is facing. We must not allow any grouping to control a process that should truly belong to citizens and society in general,” he said.
Unisa is hosting the event free of charge, providing plenary and breakaway venues, catering and technical support. Kagiso Trust has contributed R2 million, while NGOs and social partners have donated services and facilities.
The Presidency has said that the budget will rely largely on in-kind contributions, donations and resources mobilised from stakeholders.
The National Dialogue is convened by the Head of State under Section 83 of the Constitution and will be supported by an Eminent Persons Group co-chaired by Tinyiko Maluleke and Roelf Meyer, an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and a Secretariat housed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council.
The dialogue process will see at least three meetings in every one of South Africa’s 4300 wards, as well as thousands of sector-based discussions. A mobile app will be launched at the convention so that citizens can give feedback and track discussions.
“We call upon all South Africans to join this process as we seek to address the challenges that face our country and define a better future for all our people,” Ditlhake said.
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