a credibility crisis

Klerk, and Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundations have also opted out of Friday's convention, citing insufficient funds, inadequate preparation time and increasing government control over the programme as reasons for their withdrawal.

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“We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed. Core principles meant to underpin the National Dialogue have been violated in the rush to host a gathering on 15 August,” the organisations said.

The National Dialogue was first proposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his inauguration last year, after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the general elections, forcing it into a 10-party coalition that includes the DA.

The initiative aims to foster dialogue across society, culminating in a national compact aligned with the National Development Plan’s goal of eradicating poverty and reducing inequality by 2030.

Despite the criticism, the National Dialogue’s steering committee has defended the process. Nkosinathi Biko, the committee chairperson, rejected claims that the initiative is a moneyand time-wasting exercise, emphasising that the programme would run from August 2025 to March 2026, with outcomes designed to feed into a broader national plan.