Who's still attending? National Dialogue plagued by walkouts and "hijacking" claims as key parties stay away

Key topics:Legacy foundations and DA withdraw citing government dominance concerns.President Ramaphosa insists dialogue remains credible and necessary.Eminent Persons Group sees debate as sign of health.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..By Kerry Lanaghan.The much-anticipated First National Convention, a precursor to the country’s National Dialogue, is underway. Still, a cloud of scepticism hangs over the process as several prominent foundations and political parties have pulled out. While President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) maintain that the talks are a powerful and necessary step, the list of those choosing to stay away grows, raising questions about the dialogue's true inclusivity and ability to deliver meaningful change.A people-led process or a government monologue?President Ramaphosa conceived the National Dialogue as a "people-led, society-wide process" to address South Africa's deep-seated challenges. However, according to a joint statement reported by Daily Maverick, several legacy foundations have withdrawn from the preparatory task team and the convention itself. These include the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, the Steve Biko Foundation, and the FW de Klerk Foundation. They cited a list of concerns, including a rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and a perceived shift from a citizen-led initiative to one under government control.This sentiment was echoed by the Solidarity Movement and its institutions, AfriForum and Solidarity, who also announced their withdrawal. As reported by Polity.org, Solidarity Movement chairman Flip Buys accused the ANC of "hijacking" the dialogue to "win back lost support."The Democratic Alliance (DA), a key partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU), has also opted out, with party leader John Steenhuisen reportedly calling the dialogue a "talk shop with no action." According to Polity.org, Steenhuisen described the initiative as "illegitimate" and lacking credibility. Instead, he is preparing to table the DA's own reform plan in Parliament, which he believes is where the real national dialogue belongs.Those still committed to the causeDespite the mounting criticism, many key figures and sectors remain committed to the dialogue. President Ramaphosa has insisted that the process will continue, dismissing concerns that the withdrawals have undermined its credibility. According to a report by Cape Times, the Presidency’s spokesperson stated that the foundations "do not represent the majority of South Africans" and that the "show will go on."The Eminent Persons Group, appointed by Ramaphosa to guide the process, remains a strong voice of optimism. As reported by Daily Maverick, EPG co-chair Professor Tinyiko Maluleke acknowledged the public's cynicism but stressed that the dialogue is a powerful and necessary step. Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers and an EPG member, told the publication that he is "very encouraged" by the process, viewing the foundations' withdrawal from the preparatory task team, but not the dialogue itself, as a "damn good sign" of healthy debate.Other attendees include a broad spectrum of South African society. Invitations were sent to over 200 organisations from 33 sectors, including civil society, traditional leaders, business, labour, and academia. Deputy President Paul Mashatile, speaking at a recent dialogue with traditional and Khoi-San leaders, emphasised the government's commitment to fortifying its partnership with traditional leadership, describing them as a "direct conduit" to local communities.While the absence of some major players has cast a shadow, a wide cross-section of society is still participating, hoping that this will be a turning point for the nation. The true test of the National Dialogue will be whether it can move beyond mere conversation and translate its discussions into tangible, lasting action.