National Dialogue cost under the spotlight

With the National Dialogue set to begin in a matter of days, tensions remain between the Presidency, civil society and political parties over its scope and expenses.

The Presidency has indicated that the full budget will only be determined once the convention finalises the structure and format of community engagements.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the foundations of several prominent leaders withdrew from the Preparatory Task Team (PTT), citing inadequate funding and too little time for preparation.

These include the Steve Biko, Thabo Mbeki, Chief Albert Luthuli, Desmond and Leah Tutu, and FW de Klerk foundations.

“The National Dialogue is a generational opportunity to reconnect the people of South Africa to each other and to the democratic project,” the foundations said.

“But we cannot pursue that goal by cutting corners, centralising power, or rushing the process.”

In a subsequent statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that although “challenges have been experienced”, it is “essential that the first National Convention proceed on 15 August 2025.”

The President said that he expressed “regret” at the withdrawal of the foundations from the PTT, but indicated that it is full steam ahead.
 
“The National Convention must happen… invitations have gone out to organisations across the country, and delegates are preparing themselves to attend the convention,” said Ramaphosa.

“It is at the National Convention that the people of South Africa will take over and run with the National Dialogue process.”

The President said that the first National Convention, which will bring together 200 organisations from 33 different sectors, will kickstart the National Dialogue process.

This is by finalising a representative Steering Committee, endorsing the National Dialogue, outlining key themes, and agreeing on public dialogue methods, he said.

The price tag debate

Since the initial price tag of over R700 million was announced, it has sparked rigorous debate about whether the country can afford such a project given budget constraints.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest member of the Government of National Unity coalition, announced that it would not be participating.

“We will also actively mobilise against the National Dialogue to stop this obscene waste of R700 million,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said in June.

The upcoming National Dialogue, which will cost approximately R700 million, is nothing like what it was originally promised to be.

Meanwhile, Dr Corné Mulder, leader of the Vryheidsfront Plus (VF+), said in an interview with State of the Nation that the idea of a national dialogue originated from the Constitution’s requirement to form a government within 14 days of an election.

This timeframe left little time for parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to negotiate a shared policy platform.

He noted that while the GNU was initially expected to use a national dialogue to establish this framework, “a year later, we haven’t had the national dialogue,” and the current proposal “doesn’t seem to be the one” envisioned initially.

Although foundations that have pulled out from the event have claimed that additional funding is necessary, the Presidency stated on Sunday that they are working to reduce the massive taxpayer-funded budget.

“The Presidency wishes to confirm that all budgetary processes… are consistent with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).”

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee… has been working to mobilise resources for the convention and manage costs,” said the President.

UNISA will host the first National Convention at no cost, providing venues, services, and logistics support, with expenses covered through existing NEDLAC and Presidency budgets.

“The total budget for the National Dialogue will be developed as the structure and form of the community dialogues are finalised by the Convention, and will depend on in-kind contributions, donations and other resources that can be mobilised.”