Parliament’s appropriations committee to query funding of National Dialogue
Chairperson Mmusi Maimane said he was concerned about how the National Dialogue would be funded and implemented.
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, Mmusi Maimane. Picture: @FinanceCluster/X
CAPE TOWN - With the total cost of the National Dialogue still unclear and a major point of contention, Parliament’s appropriations committee plans to query the expenditure.
Chairperson Mmusi Maimane said he was concerned about how the National Dialogue would be funded and implemented.
Over the weekend, the Presidency said the full budget was yet to be determined and would depend on donations and other free services.
ALSO READ:
• 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
On Monday, the organising committee said this week’s two-day national convention, which will precede the dialogue, would cost eight million rand.
While the Presidency has indicated that it would be funding the first phases of the National Dialogue, along with NEDLAC, there’s still no firm price tag for the undertaking.
Initial estimated costs of more than R700 million have been criticised by some quarters, given the many competing demands on a constrained fiscus.
Chairperson of Parliament’s appropriations committee, Mmusi Maimane, said that while the National Dialogue was a critical initiative towards reimagining South Africa’s future, he was concerned about the lack of a funding strategy.
"There is no dedicated allocation in the national budget and, in an already constrained fiscal environment, we cannot afford to divert resources from other critical priorities. Any funding model must be sustainable, accountable and must not place additional burdens on taxpayers."
He’s now written to the National Treasury to provide clarity on the budget votes that will be funding the dialogue, and whether any government programmes will be affected by the diversion of funds.
Maimane said that Treasury must provide a comprehensive list of the programmes that would be affected by funding the National Dialogue.
He added that it was concerning that respected civil society voices were stepping away from the process.
On Friday, several foundations, including those linked to former presidents, announced their withdrawal from the convention over disagreements with the Presidency over budget and logistical issues.