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

EWN political editor Tshidi Madia (in for 702's Clement Manyathela) is joined by Lindiwe Gadd of the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, and political analyst Lukhona Mnguni.

Listen below:

Legacy foundations, which have pulled out of the first leg of the National Dialogue, say they had concerns around logistics and the extent of government involvement.

The foundations, which formed part of the preparatory task team, opted not to participate in this week’s first convention of the dialogue.

The organisations which have withdrawn from the initial phase include the Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko, Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo, and FW de Klerk Foundations.

Gadd, who is also Deputy Chair of the National Dialogue Preparatory Committee, says issues raised were mostly about logistics.

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"At the centre of the principles was the idea that this should be a citizen-led process."

- Lindiwe Gadd, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation

"That means that, in form and substance, citizens should be at the forefront of this endeavour."

- Lindiwe Gadd, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation

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Gadd goes on to say that the dialogue being 'citizen-led' was supposed to apply both to implementation and the planning process.

She explains that the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) was identified as the best platform to coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the National Dialogue.

But she says that because the budget was only received last Tuesday, Nedlac couldn't prepare in time to handle an event of this scale.

"As a result, the involvement of government became increasingly evident. Various structures were set up in the government, which were really now running the day-to-day activities towards the first national convention."

- Lindiwe Gadd, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation

Additionally, says Gadd, there are other concerns related to the budget only having been received last week.

"We are concerned that the procurement processes for the first convention - which would involve a thousand delegates coming from around 30 sectors - would potentially be compromised."

- Lindiwe Gadd, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation

Gadd says this concern has been raised multiple times, at meetings, most recently with the President last week.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has decided to push on with the event, confirming that the first national convention will go ahead next Thursday.

After the first national convention, the National Dialogue will continue through a series of nationwide public engagements.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation from The Clement Manyathela Show.