National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group (NDEPG) co-chair Professor Tinyiko Maluleke said on Friday that failure to deliver a “credible and successful” National Dialogue is not an option, as he acknowledged the challenges facing the country and the conflict witnessed within the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team.

Leading up to the National Convention currently underway at the University of South Africa (Unisa), in Pretoria, seven legacy foundations withdrew from the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team and some political parties, civil society organisations and trade unions followed suit, withdrawing from the National Dialogue.

Maluleke said he wanted all parties that had withdrawn to be “persuaded” to return.

The National Dialogue Inter-Ministerial Committee requested that its chairperson Paul Mashatile engage the legacy foundations for an inclusive dialogue.

Maluleke said the NDEPG did not seek “fame, prestige or payment”, but rather to guarantee that the National Dialogue processes remained “open, honest and truly national”.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the NDEPG, comprising leading figures in society, who he says reflect the great diversity of the nation, and who have a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building.

The NDEPG aims to guide the National Dialogue, and is expected to provide advice where correction is required.

Maluleke and former Minister and National Party 1994 constitutional negotiator Roelf Meyer have been designated as co-chairs.

Former Member of Parliament Lindiwe Mazibuko and award-winning rocket scientist Siyabulela Xusa will serve as deputy chairs, while student activist and former Member of Parliament Nompendulo Mkhatshwa has been appointed as the secretary.

Maluleke assured of the Group’s “unflinching” commitment to safeguard the integrity, inclusivity and credibility of the National Dialogue.

“We serve in this role voluntarily, giving of our time and our expertise, because we believe South Africa, our mother land, is worth it. We do not seek fame, prestige or payment. As the President has already outlined we are the champions of the National Dialogue, we advise him and other structures of the National Dialogue,” he said.

He said citizens were under severe strain, acknowledging that many South Africans were poor, jobless, hopeless and hungry.

Maluleke explained that it was in this context that the National Dialogue took on historic importance for citizens.

“…if this National Dialogue is to succeed, [and] already it is showing a lot of success, it must be citizen-led, and radically inclusive both in terms of participance and issues on the table. No sector, community should be left out,” he stated.

He said the National Dialogue must be led with “integrity and transparency” and must be beyond reproach in making decisions, utilising resources and on outcomes and implementation.

“At all times, we will seek to ensure that the process is accessible to all citizens and that all the country’s official languages are used in the communication of all issues pertaining to the dialogue,” he said.