National Dialogue: Legacy foundations say it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to withdraw

JOHANNESBURG - Legacy foundations, which have pulled out of the first leg of the National Dialogue, insist it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction. 

The foundations, which formed part of the preparatory task team, opted not to participate in this week’s first convention of the dialogue.

They've flagged concerns over procurement and constraints due to the delayed release of funds. 

But President Cyril Ramaphosa's decided to push on with the event, with his office saying the budget will depend on in-kind contributions, donations, and other resources.

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Attempts to mediate between government and the task team have been unsuccessful.

Deputy Chair of the National Dialogue Preparatory Committee, Lindiwe Gadd, who also represents the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, said issues raised were mostly about logistics.

"Coming out of that mediated process, it became clear that there are intractable differences, from the foundations who have subsequently withdrawn and the colleagues on the other side, particularly those colleagues from government and the colleagues from NEDLAC, to a lesser extent."