National Dialogue: Some Joburg residents have no clue what it's about
While some key legacy foundations have pulled out of the planning collective of the talks, over a thousand delegates are expected to attend the engagements.
JOHANNESBURG - The first leg of South Africa’s nearly R1 billion National Dialogue begins this weekend, but some Johannesburg residents said they have no clue what it’s all about!
This weekend, the precursor to the dialogue dubbed the “National Convention” will be hosted at the University of South Africa (UNISA in Pretoria under a hefty bill estimated at R8 million.
While some key legacy foundations have pulled out of the planning collective of the talks, over a thousand delegates are expected to attend the engagements.
Despite growing criticism, the government is adamant that the process will bring “lasting solutions” to socio-economic woes.
The National Convention is the first step in a process that’s set to unfold over several months.
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The government hopes the talks will expedite strides to address crime, poverty, and corruption, among other issues.
The National Dialogue process will see politicians, civil society, business and religious leaders sit under one roof, but critics argue that the most important voices, ordinary South Africans.
Those who live on one meal a day, who wake before sunrise to take multiple taxis and trains, or those who send their children to school without shoes, a bag, or sanitary pads.
Many of whom are none the wiser about this new initiative to tackle social ills
“They are using that to meet up? What is that? Logistics? For who? Ministers? We do not even know who is going," said one Johannesburg resident.
Added another: "I will be honest, this is the first time I am hearing about this dialogue."
"My classmate and I do not even know about it; they are probably not even going to make decisions that are going to impact us because we are not even included in those conversations,” said the third one.
And with only 1,000 seats, the question is whether this will be a true national conversation or another exclusive, expensive talk shop.