National Dialogue Forges Ahead with Restructured Team After Foundation Withdrawals

Natalie Nyathi

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a restructuring of the National Dialogue’s organising team following the withdrawal of several key legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki and Steve Biko Foundations. The move comes after the foundations cited concerns over budgetary constraints and insufficient time to adequately prepare for the first National Convention, scheduled for August 15, 2025.

Despite these setbacks, President Ramaphosa has affirmed that the National Convention will proceed as planned. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum and allowing South Africans to take ownership of the dialogue process.

To ensure the National Dialogue remains inclusive and representative, the positions vacated by the withdrawing foundations on the Preparatory Task Team have been filled by civil society organizations. This shift aims to bring diverse voices and perspectives to the forefront of the planning process.

The departing foundations had requested a postponement of the convention to allow for more thorough planning. Their concerns centered on the need for a clear, approved budget and sufficient time to create a meaningful and impactful event. They felt that the rushed timeline and lack of resources risked undermining the dialogue’s credibility.

While acknowledging the concerns raised, President Ramaphosa has rejected the call for postponement. He stressed that South Africans are eager to participate and contribute to shaping the nation’s future. The President believes that the National Convention will serve as a crucial platform for citizens to take control of the National Dialogue process.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya expressed regret over the divisions but reiterated the government’s commitment to moving forward. He stated that the convention must proceed to enable South Africans to steer the National Dialogue.

With the first National Convention set to take place, the National Dialogue will continue through a series of nationwide public engagements. These dialogues aim to gather input from citizens across the country on critical issues such as inequality, unemployment, and social cohesion.

The National Dialogue is envisioned as a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of the country and reimagine its future. It seeks to forge a new social compact that unites all South Africans and drives progress towards Vision 2030 and the next National Development Plan.

As the National Dialogue moves forward with a restructured team, the government remains focused on creating an inclusive and meaningful platform for citizens to shape the future of South Africa.