NATIONAL NEWS - The National Convention Organising Committee has stressed that the upcoming National Convention, set to kick off on Friday, will be driven by ordinary South Africans, not government.
Briefing the media on Monday on preparations for the first national convention of the National Dialogue, Chairperson of the Convention Organising Committee, Boichoko Ditlhake said the convention would be a citizen-led process.
“The most important thing is that South Africans must take over the process, refine it, determine and perfect it starting with the convention going forward,” Ditlhake said.
He explained that every ward in South Africa will become a space for democratic engagement, as it is expected that each of the 4 300 wards will have at least three dialogues. These will be small, accessible dialogues in community halls, schools, churches and open spaces. There will also be thousands of sectoral and theme-based dialogues.
“To ensure that the National Dialogue has real impact, the outcomes framework of the public dialogues will focus on radical change, rapid response and rebuilding the nation. An important part of the discussion will be on how to institutionalise the outcomes of the National Dialogue.
“We call upon on all South Africans to join this process as we seek to address the challenges that face our country and define a better future for all our people,” he said.
The first National Convention which will be held on 15 and 16 August at the UNISA main campus, marks the start of the National Dialogue process. The National Dialogue itself will take the form of public dialogues across the country in communities and sectors over several months.
The first National Convention is intended to discuss the need for and value of a National Dialogue, outline and agree on the key themes for discussion in the National Dialogue and establish a Steering Committee.
It is also intended to agree on the approach and modalities for the nation-wide public dialogues at sectoral and community level.
Ditlhake explained that provision has been made for 1000 delegates and to date, 755 individuals have been invited from over 30 sectors and over 200 organisations.
He added that as at yesterday, 557 people from 28 sectors had confirmed attendance.
Responding to a question about whether any activities were redirected following the withdrawal of some foundations from the Preparatory Task Team, he said none had been redirected. Instead, they had accelerated certain initiatives that had previously been moving slowly.
Ditlhake explained that a Convention Organising Committee has now been formed comprising representatives from civil society, social partners, NEDLAC, UNISA and the Presidency to undertake the outstanding work to organise and run the convention.
He said a number of structures work together to support and coordinate the process.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee, which is chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, comprises all relevant government departments to coordinate government’s contribution.
“A Steering Committee will be established at the first National Convention. Comprised of various sectors, the Steering Committee will set the strategic priorities and coordinate the implementation of the National Dialogue process.
“A Secretariat, housed at Nedlac, is responsible for the day-to-day management of National Dialogue activities and will report to the Steering Committee,” he said.
Since April 2025, a Preparatory Task Team has been responsible for preparing for the first National Convention. It was established as an interim structure pending the establishment of a broadly inclusive Steering Committee representing all sectors. It has been composed of members of the foundations of struggle stalwarts and representatives of the President.
The Convention Organising Committee includes volunteers from around 20 civil society organisations.
“As the Convention Organising Committee, our task is to ensure that this National Dialogue process is handed over to a broadly representative Steering Committee that will be established at the first National Convention.
“There is no need for unnecessary delays. We must move swiftly to hand over the process to civil society and citizen organisations that have genuine interest in solving the challenges our country is facing. We must not allow any grouping to control a process that should truly belong to citizens and society in general,” he said.
Budget and costs for the National Convention
Since embarking on this journey, the Chairperson explained that they have witnessed and received overwhelming support and contributions from many stakeholders which has helped to reduce the costs of the National Convention.
He announced that UNISA will be hosting the first National Convention and provide associated goods and services free of charge.
“Donations have been received for the National Dialogue digital platform. Other goods and services, such as the venue, screens for public viewing, and rail and road transport, are being provided at no cost,” he said.
The reduced costs associated with the hosting of the National Dialogue and the funding plan are done with the intention to reduce the burden on the fiscus.
“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 from various stakeholders across all sectors of our society.
“All budgetary processes regarding the National Convention adhere to the Public Finance Management Act. The main costs for the upcoming convention are funded from the existing budgets of NEDLAC and the Presidency for secretariat support, communications and logistics,” he said.
Spokesperson for the National Convention Rev Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu said the R700 million that was being reported on was a budget prepared by the PTT.
“It’s not a government budget. The conceptual framework of how the dialogue is going to be funded was that 60% will be funded by the government, from the fiscals, and 40% will be funded in cash and in kind by donors. It’s still a budget; there’s no finality because, in terms of the government components, Treasury is still discussing it in the state.”
Nevhutalu said most of the money was going to fund community dialogues at ward and sectoral levels. He emphasised that no procurement process would be abused.
“The government has given those guarantees. I think we should be able to take their commitment in good faith,” Nevhutalu said. He added that the most significant donation made so far was from Unisa.
“We also know, for instance, other NGO’s have donated in kind, their time, resources, travelling, Kagiso Trust has also donated. They have made a donation so far of about R2 million that they have put into the process,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
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