Presidency caught up in battle with civil society groups over direction & cost of National Dialogue
The Presidency said the total budget for the dialogue would be developed once the structure and form of the community dialogues were finalised by the convention.
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the Eminent Persons Group over the upcoming National Dialogue at the Union Buildings. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN
CAPE TOWN - With just days to go before the start of the National Dialogue, the Presidency is still caught up in a battle with civil society groups over the direction it will take and the costs involved.
It said the total budget for the dialogue would be developed once the structure and form of the community dialogues were finalised by the convention.
On Friday, the foundations of former presidents pulled out of the gathering, citing a lack of funding and insufficient time to prepare.
But President Cyril Ramaphosa has dug in his heels, saying the first convention will go ahead as planned this coming Friday.
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Ever since the initial more than R700 million price tag was first attached to the event, it’s sparked debate over whether the country could afford such an undertaking given constraints on the fiscus and the country’s many urgent needs.
While foundations that have withdrawn from the occasion have argued that more money is needed, the Presidency said on Sunday that the budget would depend on in-kind contributions, donations, and other resources that may be mobilised.
On Friday, seven legacy foundations, including that of Thabo Mbeki, FW de Klerk, Steve Biko and Desmond and Leah Tutu, pulled out of the occasion over clashes with the Presidency.
The University of South Africa will be providing free venues for the national convention, while there have also been donations for screens for public viewing and free transport.
The Presidency said that money would come from the budgets of NEDLAC and itself to cover the rest of the costs associated with the first convention.
Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that public funds would be strictly monitored.
"The reduced cost associated with the hosting of the National Dialogue and the funding plan are done with the intention of reducing the cost to the fiscus."
Magwenya said that under the leadership of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the inter-ministerial committee had been working to mobilise resources for the convention.