AfriForum, Solidarity join legacy foundations in boycotting national convention
The group said the National Dialogue had been hijacked by the African National Congress.
Chairperson of Solidarity Movement, Flip Buys. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - AfriForum and the Solidarity movement have joined legacy foundations in boycotting this weekend’s first national convention.
The group said the National Dialogue had been hijacked by the African National Congress (ANC).
ALSO READ: National convention organisers say event will still be led by citizens
This weekend, a precursor to the National Dialogue will be hosted, where representatives from different sectors of society will meet to set the agenda for the dialogue.
But last week, legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki, the Desmond and Leah Tutu, and the Steve Biko foundations, withdrew from this weekend’s convention.
AfriForum and Solidarity have aligned themselves with the views of the legacy foundations that this weekend’s national convention will not be citizen-led, as initially intended.
They said they were keen to be part of the dialogue when they were invited by organisations like the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.
ALSO READ:
• Parliament’s appropriations committee to query funding of National Dialogue
• Presidency compares upcoming National Dialogue to CODESA
• National Dialogue: Legacy foundations say it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to withdraw
• COSATU backs national convention despite tensions
• Presidency caught up in battle with civil society groups over direction & cost of National Dialogue
But Solidarity’s chairperson, Flip Buys, said it now seemed like the ANC wanted to hijack the National Dialogue to try and win back lost support.
"The ANC has been responsible for most of the crisis in the country and cannot solve it on their own. Therefore, in the country’s interest, we are prepared to participate in real talks with others about solutions, but such discussions must not be an ANC-led process that will only end up in a cul-de-sac."
AfriForum said while it would be withdrawing from this weekend’s convention like the legacy foundations, it would be consulting with the groups on their stance towards the entire National Dialogue.