The National Dialogue Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Thursday expressed appreciation for the cost-saving efforts made to host the first National Convention that precedes, on Friday and Saturday, the National Dialogue.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile this week convened the National Dialogue’s IMC for a report on the state of readiness ahead of the Convention.

Mashatile chairs the IMC, which comprises government departments and coordinates government’s contribution towards the National Convention and the National Dialogue.

The IMC said it noted the decision by some foundations to pull out of the preparations and had requested that Mashatile engage these foundations for an inclusive dialogue.

The National Convention kicks off at the ZK Matthews Hall, at Unisa, in Pretoria, and marks the beginning of the National Dialogue process, which will roll out over the next few months across the country in the form of public dialogues in different communities and sectors.

Several withdrawals were announced before the start of the Convention.

ActionSA cited “serious and unresolved” questions, particularly around the budget of the National Dialogue. While the party said it would withdraw from the process, it would send an observation committee to monitor proceedings.

So far, seven legacy foundations have withdrawn from the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team, calling for a postponement of the National Dialogue to allow for adequate preparation, coherence and participatory integrity, citing violations of the Dialogue’s core principles.

On Tuesday, the Solidarity Movement and its affiliates also announced their withdrawal, attributing the decision to its belief that the National Dialogue had been “hijacked” by the African National Congress.

BUDGET

The IMC assured Mashatile that all budgetary processes regarding the National Convention comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), noting that the National Economic Development and Labour Council and the Presidency are funding the Convention’s costs from existing budgets for secretariat support, communications and logistics.

The committee assured that all procurement and management of public funds would adhere to the PFMA and applicable Treasury Regulations.

“All funds will be accounted for through the normal public finance mechanisms,” it said.

The IMC further applauded the stakeholders who were providing in-kind support and expressed appreciation to the University of South Africa (Unisa) for offering to host the Convention, as well as provide associated goods and services, free of charge.

Unisa is providing the venues for the plenary, overflow venues with livestream services, 10 breakaway venues, dining area and work areas.

Unisa is also providing facilities for an operations centre, which has been running over the past week with catering, ushers, audio-visual services, printing of discussion documents, signage, conference bags, notepads, pens and WiFi.

The IMC emphasised the importance of the Convention and the National Dialogue being citizen-led and fully inclusive, urging communities to raise issues so that they could be addressed and attended to.