AfriForum, Solidarity withdrawing from National Dialogue

CONTROVERSIAL lobby groups Afriforum and Solidarity have announced they are pulling out of the upcoming National Dialogue, days after key legacy foundations also withdrew from the highly anticipated event.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

The first National Convention is set to take place at UNISA’s main campus in Pretoria from August 15 to 16.

Speaking at a media briefing on yesterday, Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel said the two lobby groups had decided not to participate in this weekend's national dialogue.

“The reason for that is simple. The current process has been captured by the ANC as well as President Ramaphosa,’ he said.

Kriel claimed Ramaphosa had turned the national dialogue into an ANC monologue.

“They want to dictate the agenda, and they expect us to just listen. The fact is, we must remember the crisis in the country, where it comes from. It's because of many years of ANC mismanagement, corruption, as well as failed policies.”

Meanwhile, Dr Dirk Hermann, chief executive of Solidarity, also announced his organisation was pulling out of the dialogue.

“Dear President Ramaphosa. The people of South Africa want to talk, but do not want to talk to you. You have lost the trust of South Africans,” he said.