Six of South Africa’s most prominent legacy foundations that pulled out of the Preparatory Task Team for the National Dialogue, warned that the National Convention risked becoming a hollow exercise.

In a joint statement, the Steve Biko, Thabo Mbeki, Chief Albert Luthuli, Desmond and Leah Tutu, FW de Klerk, and Oliver and Adelaide Tambo foundations said the process had strayed from its citizen-led roots toward government control. They argued the event was being rushed at the expense of credibility, with no detailed plan for the community and sectoral dialogues intended to be its core.

The group cited a lack of confirmed budget, operational readiness, and agreed governance as major concerns. They warned that emergency procurement could breach the Public Finance Management Act and that the convention, as planned, would be “more performance than participation.”

Calling the National Dialogue a “generational opportunity” to unite South Africans, the foundations urged postponing the convention until after 15 October to allow for proper preparation. They stressed they remain committed to the project if it meets the principles of being citizen-led, inclusive, transparent, and accountable.