Clarity sought on alleged R700m cost of National Dialogue
The Presidency's plan to hold a major National Dialogue in August is being criticised for its potential cost, lack of oversight, and uncertain agenda.
The proposed National Dialogue has the potential to be another watershed moment for South Africa, as the Convention for a Democratic SA was in the early '90s. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger
There are concerns about the lack of transparency around President Cyril Ramaphosa's proposed National Dialogue that is meant to take place in a few weeks.
Ramaphosa said the country will hold the first leg on 15 August, with the second leg expected to take place next year. Local talks will be held before then.
The purpose of this convention is to discuss South Africa's problems and find solutions to them. However, it has been met with anger following an announcement that it could cost more than R700 million.
Unions and political parties call for accountability
The government has stated that there is no definite figure yet. Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) spokesperson Matthew Parks said he is concerned about the abuse of state funds used for the National Dialogue.
'We can talk about figures like R10 million or R20 million, but R700 million is just ridiculous.
'Government can find ways of ensuring this is done in a manner that is more affordable. We just objected to a VAT hike, it would not make sense for us to agree to this,' he said.
Conflicting statements over the proposed budget
Parks said Cosatu had engaged with the Presidency and was reassured there is no final figure for how much the dialogue will cost.
The amount of R700 million was first estimated by Nkosinathi Biko, executive trustee of the Steve Biko Foundation.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa announces 'Eminent Persons Group' to guide national dialogue – These are the people appointed
'Nothing has been tabled to parliament and Cabinet, so this is random ramblings from some officials and people from foundations,' said Parks.
Questions about coordination and purpose
Rise Mzansi spokesperson Mabine Seabe said: 'The touted R700 million price tag appears excessive, which is why Rise Mzansi will be engaging with President Cyril Ramaphosa on this matter and timelines both in the buildup to and after the National Dialogue.
'We will use our parliamentary oversight authority to ensure that every rand and cent is accounted for.'
ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said parliamentarians have not been given intricate details of how the National Dialogue will be coordinated.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told SAfm this week: 'There isn't a budget, there isn't a number or a cost that the government has committed to.
'All we have is what has been communicated as a proposal that the foundations have put forward.
'Government is going to be the fiscal custodian of the process and it has not yet engaged in formulating a budget. So the debate about R700 million is completely misplaced and unnecessary.'
Dialogue 'must be ambitious'
Dr Philani Mthembu from the Institute for Global Dialogue said the dialogue, if done correctly, can be an important tool in addressing problematic legislation and policies.
ALSO READ: 'Bring all to dialogue': Experts insist national dialogue must be people-driven
'If this dialogue is compared to the Convention for a Democratic South Africa, then it needs to be ambitious in what it is trying to achieve.
'For instance, we must ask if this will open up the debate on reviewing the constitution, what elements of the constitution are working and which need to be revised.
'This dialogue could discuss issues such as electoral reform and whether we are ready for new systems that will hold those in power to account.
'It has to be ambitious, otherwise if we just discuss issues such as national cohesion and service delivery, we already know these challenges. Discussing the deep issues will have more impact.'
A noble idea?
Advocate Sipho Mantula, a researcher at Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs, said the idea of a national convention is a noble one.
'Conventions are normally called when there is a national crisis or key issues that affect the country, from governance to the rule of law to the socio-cultural and economic conditions.'
Mantula said all state organs and institutions should assist in ensuring the success of the National Dialogue and no-one should be left behind.
'It should begin with local conventions and then provincial conventions that ultimately lead to the National Dialogue,' he said.
NOW READ: 'A meaningless publicity stunt by a limping president': EFF slams Ramaphosa's national dialogue call
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
32 minutes ago
- IOL News
Ramaphosa urges private sector to help tackle youth unemployment
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on private companies to make better use of available tools like President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on private sector to make better use of available tools like and the Employee Tax Incentive to help tackle South Africa's high youth unemployment rate. In his weekly newsletter earlier this week Ramaphosa said that while government programmes have created millions of opportunities for young people, far more needs to be done and the private sector must play a bigger role. "I call on business and other public sector entities to use to provide more pathways for young people to earning and learning. The private sector needs to use all available mechanisms, including the Employee Tax Incentive, to hire young people," Ramaphosa said. "A vital part of our efforts to empower young people is the platform, which is a single point for unemployed young South Africans to access opportunities for work, training and learning".
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
‘Money will be made available': Ramaphosa plans to make judiciary fully independent
A joint committee is now in action to finalise the process of the independence of the judiciary. Plans are underway to make South Africa's judiciary fully independent, enabling it to manage its own administration and finances, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. He was speaking during an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in Braamfontein on Friday. The announcement follows a recent meeting between the president and members of the judiciary, led by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. While the judiciary is constitutionally recognised as one of the three arms of government – alongside the executive and the legislature – its administrative functions currently fall under the department of justice and constitutional development. Ramaphosa on judiciary's independence In his address, Ramaphosa emphasised the need for structural reforms to ensure the judiciary can carry out its duties independently and effectively. He referred to the judiciary's 2022/2023 annual report, which outlined challenges the ConCourt faces in meeting case finalisation targets. 'This is no doubt owing to the significant volume of cases the court is dealing with,' Ramaphosa said. 'Enhancing access to justice and improving court services has been allocated for in this year's budget and there have been increases for improving superior court services, for judicial education and support, for the filling of vacant posts and to address other funding shortfalls.' ALSO READ: Will performance of ConCourt improve in 2025? The president said that a dedicated team has been established to develop an action plan to be finalised six weeks from now. 'A joint committee is now in action to finalise this whole process of the independence of the judiciary. 'It has been an anomaly of our constitutional architecture that we've had parliament as an independent institution in our constitution fully and properly recognised, and the executive – but the judiciary has on an unfair basis had to depend on government on a variety of matters from getting approval on the appointment of people and not even being in complete control of their own budget,' said Ramaphosa. 'This comes to an end now. The judiciary will be independent. We will ensure the judiciary is rightly constituted as an equal branch of the state, same level as the executive and the legislature.' The promise of the Constitution is far from fully realised. Persistent inequality, threats to judicial independence, lack of implementation of court orders, and erosion of trust in institutions remain pressing challenges. — Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 20, 2025 Budget constraints and funding strategy Speaking to the media, Ramaphosa highlighted the current fiscal challenges facing the country, but reiterated government's commitment to financially support judicial independence. 'Money is getting tighter and tighter because our fiscal situation is challenged with the lackluster growth of our economy. 'So the revenues that come into government are becoming slimmer and slimmer. However, we do need to empower various arms of the state. 'Parliament is one, the judiciary is one and the executive of course plays a leading role of the arms of the state,' the president said. READ MORE: 'Unacceptable': Judiciary budget constraints, shortage of judges and backlogs He stressed that despite budgetary constraints, funds will be made available to allow the judiciary full control over its operations. 'Money will be made available and of course to the extent that we are able to mobilise the resources as we grow the economy, the judiciary will have the money and they will be in control just as parliament is in control of its own budget. 'They will be able to embark on infrastructure projects, administrative capability, training and all those without having to always go ask for permission.' Proposals for reform The ConCourt came under criticism last year for not delivering judgments within the prescribed timeframes. The judicial norms and standards require judges to issue rulings within three months of a hearing or trial conclusion However, most courts, including the ConCourt, have often exceeded this deadline, with some judgments delayed for over six months. Several proposals have been put forward to improve the ConCourt's efficiency including amending the Constitution to permit smaller panels of three judges – rather than the full bench of 11 – to hear new applications. NOW READ: 'Free' judges, lack of resources: Hlophe bemoans judicial 'nightmare' after budget cuts
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Multi-billion Limpopo mega-project has ground to a halt
Makhado Special Economic Zone, announced in 2018, was intended to attract investments of R40-billion. The mega industrial project in the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone has ground to a halt. Photos: supplied by Living Limpopo The Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone in Limpopo, announced in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was intended to attract investments of more than R40-billion. But seven years later, the project has all but ground to a halt. Only one company has made a firm commitment to invest. Though more than R100-million has been spent, there are no roads, electricity or water connections; and the company contracted to build roads has terminated the contract. However, the chair of the board says a turnaround plan is in place and construction on the first infrastructure projects will start in September. Seven years after its launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the multi-billion Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) in Limpopo is at a standstill. R67.5-million has been spent on consultants and R50-million on roads and infrastructure. But there is no infrastructure, no electricity connection, no roads and no water. Described on its website as 'a flagship of the Limpopo Provincial Government' the MMSEZ is 'a green field investment platform consisting of two sites' – Artonvilla, near Musina, intended for light manufacturing, and Mopani, near Makhado, intended for heavy industry. The zone claims to offer 'state of the art logistics facilities promoting operational excellence' But though the MMSEZ was touted to bring in R40-billion in investments, so far only one company has made a firm commitment to invest. ALSO READ: Revival of job-creating initiative in Limpopo A report by the chair of the MMSEZ board, Nndweleni Mphephu, to the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism department, shows how little has happened in what was to be a mega industrial park in the heart of the Limpopo Valley. The report, dated 28 May, follows questions in Parliament and an oversight visit to the area by members of the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism portfolio committee. According to the Minister of Trade Industry and Competition Parks Tau, R2.27-billion would be needed for bulk infrastructure on the site, and R1.07-billion had been set aside between 2020/1 and 2026/7 in the provincial budget. In response to a question in Parliament in May from the DA's Toby Chance, Tau added that the DTIC's Industrial Zones Programme was helping the MMSEZ with advisory support. Some of the money has already been spent, much of it on consultants. In his report, Mphephu gives a list of consultants, service providers and contractors who have benefited to date. Spending of just over R85.2-million was approved for consultants, of which just over R67.5-million has already been paid to 17 consultants, including engineers, planners, quantity surveyors, project managers and horticulturists. Just under R40-million has been paid to service providers, including Eskom. ALSO READ: Limpopo's special economic zones expected to create 21,000 jobs According to the report, three contractors have so far benefited, including Tshiamiso Trading 1 and Tshiamiso Trading 2, which received a R200-million contract for roads and stormwater infrastructure and a R99.3-million contract for bulk sewer and wastewater treatment works. A contract for R134-million was awarded to Rembu Construction, also for the construction of bulk sewer and wastewater treatment works. But though some earthworks have been done by Tshiamiso on the northern site, there are no finished roads, electricity or water on either site. After being paid just over R50.4-million, Tshiamiso had to stop work on the northern site, after beginning bush-clearing, because the land belonged to a different organ of state and transfer had to take place first, the report says. Tshiamiso has now terminated the contract and is claiming more money from the MMSEZ, citing non-payment for standing time. This dispute is currently in litigation. Tshiamiso Trading is also accused of unlawfully removing white rock materials from another site to the MMSEZ site without the owner's consent or any formal agreement or compensation. ALSO READ: Limpopo unveils R1.8 billion budget boost for economic development The MMSEZ southern site was gazetted as a Special Economic Zone in 2017, but it turns out that the northern site at Artonvilla has yet to be gazetted, according to a response by Tau to a question in Parliament. Tau said the Limpopo government had indicated it would submit a request before the end of June 2025 to gazette the northern site. In his report, Mphephu noted fierce 'oppositions, dissenting views and pushbacks' mostly from environmental groups, over the southern site. Some of these were challenging the Environmental Impact Assessment in the Polokwane High Court. But in the absence of an interdict, the report says, 'all activities leading to the development, including township establishment processes are expected to proceed.' Tshiamiso Trading is one of the contractors which has been paid. When President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly announced the MMSEZ in September 2018 following his return from the Forum for Africa and China Cooperation, it came with the promise of an initial investment value of more than R40-billion. To date, little of that money appears to have materialised. ALSO READ: It's war on power, water theft to save Limpopo economic zones Responding to questions in Parliament in May, Tau gave a list of investment pledges amounting to more than R8.64-billion, of which R2.1-billion has been verified and validated from eight prospective investors. But according to the report, only the China-based Kinetic Development Group has come to the party, with a R16-billion promise of a ferrochrome smelter on the southern site, once township development on the site is approved, and subject to EIA approvals. If investors do come, one of the biggest questions will be: where is the water going to come from in this semi-arid area? The MMSEZ has approached the Water Services Authority (Vhembe) and the catchment management agency (the Department of Water and Sanitation, DWS) in the region to determine whether they have capacity, either from treated or raw water, to supply the developments. According to the report, Vhembe agreed to provide the MMSEZ with some of its allocation for raw water to kickstart development on the northern site. The DWS said treated water could be brought from Zimbabwe by pipeline for the future development of the site. 'For the south, a few boreholes were drilled in order to start the development of the site. For further development, a pipeline needs to be built to connect to the bulk pipeline from Zimbabwe. Furthermore, two dams are earmarked to be constructed in future to specifically provide water to the site as it grows,' the report says. According to the report, the MMSEZ has now implemented a 'turnaround plan' including a review of the design of roads and stormwater. A division of the Industrial Development Corporation has been appointed as implementing agent, with four professional engineers assigned to the MMEZ full-time. Construction on the first projects will start in September, the report says. This article is published in association with the Limpopo Mirror/Zoutpansberger. Correction on 2025-06-19 09:53 This article has been amended to clarify that the visit to the site was by members of the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism portfolio committee, not by MPs. This article was republished from GroundUp. Read the original here.
