What now? Civil society casts doubt on Ramaphosa's National Dialogue

702's Bongani Bingwa is joined by presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Listen below:

A rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, disagreements within the Preparatory Task Team and ‘government control’.

These are just some of the reasons several prominent civil society organisations, many linked to the names of equally prominent struggle stalwarts, have given for pulling out of the National Dialogue.

It may present a serious dent to the standing and reputation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has championed the gathering as a significant moment for South Africa.

Foundations named after Steve Biko, Desmond and Leah Tutu, Oliver Thambo and FW De Klerk will no longer participate – at least not in the planning phase.

Most notably, the chief patron of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, after whom it is named, is seen as the force behind the various organisations pulling out.

But Magwenya says the dialogue is for citizens.

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"This national dialogue belongs to South Africans... No one has a single appropriation or ownership of it."

- Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson

"Government is only there to facilitate and ensure that it happens."

- Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson

Magwenya says it is not surprising that in the lead-up to the conversation, there are those entities who choose not to participate in the preparations.

"You will recall that when we headed to CODESA, there were parties that boycotted those processes and those talks."

- Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson

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What's important, says Magwenya, is that the majority of South Africans recognise the opportunity and importance of the national convention as the 'kickoff' to the dialogue itself.

"We're fairly comfortable that we'll be able to proceed and that the credibility of the exercise will be maintained."

- Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson

Magwenya dismisses criticism that it's a case of more talk, no action on behalf of the 'powers that be' in South Africa.

"We're a country whose foundations are founded or pillared around talking to each other."

- Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson

President Ramaphosa confirmed that the first national convention would go ahead next Thursday despite the withdrawal of some foundations from the initiative.

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

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation from Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa.