FW de Klerk Foundation still unhappy about some aspects of National Dialogue but still wants to participate
The foundation was one of six that boycotted last week’s National Dialogue convention, citing a number of issues with the process.
UNISA hosted the two-day convention for the National Dialogue at its main campus in Pretoria. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - The FW de Klerk Foundation says while it's still unhappy about some modalities of the National Dialogue, it doesn’t want to be on the sidelines.
The foundation was one of six that boycotted last week’s National Dialogue convention, citing a number of issues with the process.
Foundations that boycotted the event were due to meet on Wednesday; however, that meeting was postponed.
In his speech at the National Dialogue convention, President Cyril Ramaphosa took a jab at the foundations that boycotted the event, saying this was not the way to bring about positive change in the country.
"This we cannot do when we do not want to be part of the conversation and this we cannot do when we sit on the sidelines and just criticise."
Executive director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, Christo van der Rheede, said they always wanted to participate in the National Dialogue.
"Active citizenry is the lifeblood of any democracy and people must learn that you cannot stand on the sidelines and then just expect democracy to deliver."
Foundations that boycotted the National Dialogue convention are set to meet with the eminent persons group to clear the air.