In a dramatic development, the foundations named after South African icons—Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko, Albert Luthuli, FW de Klerk, Oliver Tambo, and Desmond and Leah Tutu—have officially pulled out of the National Dialogue. They accuse the government of hijacking a process originally intended to be citizen-led.
The groups expressed serious concern over the decision to proceed with the dialogue convention scheduled for 15 August, despite warnings from the sub-committee chairs. They argue that moving forward under these circumstances undermines the credibility and grassroots nature of the entire initiative.
This withdrawal raises critical questions about the future of the dialogue process and its ability to genuinely represent the voices of ordinary South Africans, especially at a time when national unity and social cohesion are paramount.
