National Dialogue faces participation test: 'Include everyone in the room, and outside' - Thabo Mbeki Foundation

702's Bongani Bingwa chats to Dr. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, chairperson of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, and Thulasizwe Makhanya from the Stalwart Foundation. 

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

The National Convention, which set the stage for the launch of the National Dialogue, concluded over the weekend.

Held under the theme 'Uniting Voices, Shaping the Nation', civil society groups, foundations and community leaders debated how to build a people-led process that can address South Africa's most pressing challenges.

ALSO READ: First National Convention concludes, sets stage for launch of National Dialogue 

However, the gathering took place under a cloud of concern after seven legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki and Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundations, distanced themselves from the event, citing insufficient preparation and a lack of inclusive engagement.

ALSO READ: Legacy foundations that have pulled out of National Dialogue blame 'logistics' 

Fraser-Moleketi explains that while they still support the broader idea of a national dialogue, the foundations had called for a more thorough, community-driven preparatory phase. 

She argues that meaningful participation requires time, accessible documents in all official languages, and grassroots involvement, not just a symbolic gathering of elites.

"The amount of work you put into the process, the pre-dialogue, results in the quality of the outcome, and especially dealing with the complexities that we currently confront in South Africa."

- Dr. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Chairperson - Thabo Mbeki Foundation

"We had not withdrawn from the National Dialogue; what we withdrew from was the National Convention that we said should be given a bit more time in order to ensure preparation in such a way that would include everyone who was in the room and everyone who was outside of the room."

- Dr. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Chairperson - Thabo Mbeki Foundation

Despite the withdrawal, other stakeholders, such as the Stalwart Foundation, have defended the event as an initial step in a broader citizen-led process. 

"... this should go beyond foundations, this should go beyond civic organisations. It should encourage citizens as individuals to be part of this important platform to shape the future of this country." 

- Thulasizwe Makhanya, Stalwart Foundation

While challenges remain, both sides agree it’s not too late for the legacy foundations to return if common ground on structure and inclusivity can be found.

ALSO READ: Criticism from National Convention delegates important - Mazibuko 

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.