National Dialogue Chaos! Foundations Pull Out – Is Gov't Rushing Things?

By: Danilo Pérez Published On: 10/08/2025

Politics Politics Politics

Johannesburg - A wave of concern has swept through South Africa as prominent legacy foundations withdraw from the National Dialogue preparatory team. Citing a deviation from citizen-driven principles, these foundations fear the convention is being rushed into a government-controlled event.

The Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, FW de Klerk Foundation, and the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation have all announced their withdrawal from the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team. This collective action sends a strong signal about the perceived flaws in the current approach.

At the heart of the matter is the alleged violation of the initiative's core principles. The foundations argue that the urgency to host the gathering on August 15th has compromised the integrity of the process. The FW de Klerk Foundation is explicitly calling for a delay, emphasizing that communities remain largely uninformed and that the entire process feels rushed and lacks proper consultation.

Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has urged South Africans to remain supportive of the national dialogue, even amidst these withdrawals. He believes the dialogue is crucial for the nation's future, despite the challenges.

Political analyst Lukhona Mnguni recently discussed the implications of these withdrawals with eNCA's Sindi Mabe, highlighting the potential damage to the dialogue's legitimacy and the need for a more inclusive and deliberate approach.

What's Next for the National Dialogue?

The withdrawal of these influential foundations raises serious questions about the future of the National Dialogue. Will the government heed the concerns raised and consider a delay? Can a more inclusive and citizen-driven approach be salvaged? The coming days will be crucial in determining the fate of this important initiative.