Latest news with #R700
eNCA
11 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
SANCF rejects government's planned talk shop
JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Christian Forum has slammed government's upcoming National Dialogue as a wasteful political exercise. The forum says this is a costly distraction from real issues facing the country. WATCH | National Dialogue | Cash for talks as service delivery collapses The Forum suggests that the R700 million allocated to the dialogue should instead go towards job creation, strengthening the NPA and fighting gender-based violence. It's accused President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration of governing through talk shops instead of action. Bishop Marothi Mashashane, President of the South African National Christian Forum, says that under the administration or presidency, there have been numerous commissions that have resulted in needless expenditure that no one is interested in implementing.
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
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
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Presidency denies R700m National Dialogue budget is final amid public backlash
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the R700 million figure for the National Dialogue is not official, emphasizing no government budget has been finalized and cost concerns are being heard. The Presidency's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has dismissed concerns about a reported R700 million price tag for the upcoming National Dialogue process, calling current budget debates 'premature' and 'unfortunate.' In an interview on The Morning Brief FM with Thulasizwe Simelane, Magwenya said the process should not be mistaken as a presidential project but rather a national undertaking aimed at redefining South Africa's future. This comes after the estimated R700 million price tag ignited a firestorm of criticism from trade unions, political parties, academics, and sectors of civil society, especially in a context of austerity measures, service delivery failures, and deepening inequality. 'This is not President Ramaphosa's project. This is South Africa's undertaking to go back to the drawing board and engage and discuss what kind of country we would like to see over the next many years to come,' Magwenya said. He highlighted that no official government budget has yet been set and that the R700 million figure circulating in public discourse is merely a proposal raised by external foundations involved in the planning phase. 'We don't have a budget at this point. Government is yet to formulate the budget that will then go through all the necessary and stipulated budgetary processes before we can come out to the public and say, here's what it's going to cost you,' Magwenya said.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Is the national dialogue a futile exercise?
Ramaphosa's 'national dialogue' looks more like a monologue, guided by carefully curated allies. What do you think President Cyril Ramaphosa and colleagues mean when they talk about 'our people'? Do you feel included? Many don't. There is reason for scepticism over Ramaphosa's plans for an inclusive national dialogue. His approach throughout his presidency has not been inclusive. 'Our people' usually means ANC. Inclusivity is not evident in the list of 'eminent persons' whom he has named to guide 'a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future'. People-led? Yet he chooses the leaders of the process. One example is Roelf Meyer, Ramaphosa's supposed adversary in the Codesa talks which preceded this country's first democratic elections. Meyer may have taught Ramaphosa fly-fishing, but the National Party minister fell hook, line and sinker for ANC tricks. ALSO READ: 'Bring all to dialogue': Experts insist national dialogue must be people-driven His capitulation was so complete that the ANC in Soweto nominated Comrade Roelf for its parliamentary list in 1994. Meyer declined but in 2004, he voted ANC and joined that party in 2006. Ja, nee. By choosing Meyer, Ramaphosa will have alienated quite a few Afrikaners who won't feel included. Why do we need a government-orchestrated national dialogue? The nation is continually in dialogue. We have regular elections and opinions are continually freely expressed across multiple platforms. Public participation is mandatory in many issues at all levels of government, even if this is often a tick-box exercise. ALSO READ: Codesa 2 has many agendas to fill South Africa is oversupplied with talk shops whose practical outcomes are negligible. We don't need more of that. And we can't afford it. With economic growth at a low 0.8% in 2024 and unemployment now officially at 32.9%, it is reckless to splurge at least R700 million on this nebulous exercise. After contestation over the national budget, you'd think Ramaphosa would be more circumspect about wasting money. Big spenders of other people's money have no qualms about stretching price tags. Starting at R700 million, the proposed national dialogue could easily end up costing more than the R1 billion spent on the Zondo inquiry into state capture. And what did we get for that? Zero significant prosecutions. In practical terms, this dialogue will yield even less. This national dialogue is an attempt to shore up the ANC's political fortunes and boost Ramaphosa's legacy. If, as expected, the process takes about a year, it will segue into the local government elections. ALSO READ: Thandiswa Mazwai says she would've accepted invite to national dialogue had Ramaphosa sent it Ramaphosa's personally selected 'eminent persons' will have ample opportunity to sway opinions without appearing to be on the campaign trail. From this perspective, cashstrapped taxpayers could be funding the ANC's next local government election campaign. Genuine dialogue requires a two-way exchange of ideas. Yet Ramaphosa and the ANC are implacably wedded to broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) in all its forms. He recently defended it against arguments that B-BBEE stifles economic growth. A national dialogue would be beneficial if the ANC was able to listen, and to change course on B-BBEE. A monologue or dialogue of the deaf won't help. The aims of the national dialogue are to increase inclusivity, boost economic growth and create employment opportunities. The best way to do that is to scrap B-BBEE laws that are, by definition, exclusive. Reimagine a future without race laws. Now you're talking. NOW READ: Ramaphosa announces 'Eminent Persons Group' to guide national dialogue – These are the people appointed
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
R770 million National Dialogue bill sparks uproar: final say lies with finance minister
Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana will have the final say regarding funding amid widespread criticism from trade unions and political parties. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers As questions swirl around the projected R770 million price tag for the forthcoming National Dialogue, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has confirmed that the ultimate decision on funding will rest with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Last week, the National Dialogue preparatory committee announced that the process could cost as much as R770 million. This announcement has triggered public outcry and political scrutiny regarding government spending, with South Africa's largest trade union, Cosatu, and several political parties criticising the estimated figures. "COSATU like other sober-minded South Africans was amazed that anyone could even suggest the Dialogue should be allocated R700 rash thumb-suck budget figure should be dismissed as a verbal gaffe and a reckless typo better left deleted and forgotten," Matthew Parks COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator said. Deputy President Paul Mashatile confirms that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will hold the final say on funding amid widespread criticism from trade unions and political parties Image: GCIS The National Dialogue was initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa and aims to promote inclusive discussions on the country's most pressing social, economic, and political challenges. "The dialogue will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future," Ramaphosa said. Speaking to journalists outside the North West University's Rag Farm Stadium on Monday, Mashatile said the minister of finance will have the last say on the budget. "Trade unions, the churches so it's going to be everybody what we are trying to come together as South Africans talk about our challenges but also solutions to our challenges. We want to come out of that dialogue and say this is the South Africa we want to build together," Mashatile said. "The issue of the costs, obviously, will be looked upon by the minister of Finance, and normally when there are activities like this, officials will start planning and projecting the costs. The minister will decide whether funds are available in that regard or we need to cut down". [email protected] IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
