The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has expressed concern over the upcoming National Dialogue Convention, calling for greater transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in the lead-up to the event scheduled for August 15 and 16, 2025.

In a statement following an emergency meeting of its national church leaders on August 11, the SACC said the gathering was held to reflect on the “diverse views of the Christian leaders in the SACC and establish a united response to the country’s temperature as relates to the National Dialogue.”

The intervention from the SACC comes as momentum around the National Dialogue is threatened by a growing number of withdrawals and concerns around the process. 

Several prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, WDB Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group, announced their withdrawal last Friday. 

ActionSA, AfriForum, the Solidarity union, and the Freedom Front Plus have also pulled out of the National Dialogue, raising further questions about the inclusivity and legitimacy of the process.

The church leaders believe that postponing the National Convention “would have been a wise route to consider,” to allow space for reflection and alignment around the core needs of the South African people.

Such a delay, they said, could help to “maximise unity through an inclusive journey from the start.”

The SACC said in a media statement dated 2 July 2024: “It is our experience that for such an effort to be successful, it does need to be protected from narrow political interests; and must be seen and experienced as being in the control of the people rather than a few who speak on behalf of others. It must be inclusive of all sectors of society to ensure its legitimacy in the eyes of the people.”

They warned that “the concerns raised about the readiness to host the National Convention in their totality must be addressed to build confidence in society.”

They said this can only happen through “transparency, accountability, and adherence to all procurement laws.”

The SACC said the dialogue must be guided by societal ownership and leadership, and that any misdirection of resources “needs to be clearly spelt out” with “appropriate steps” taken.

Calling on the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to lead with integrity, the SACC said: “At this juncture, the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) should provide moral leadership that will unite us all.”

They added that the group was formed “to make sure that in everything related to the National Dialogue, it becomes the face of its leadership, and the voice of reason to speak truth to all actors at all times.”

The SACC acknowledged the latest public commitment from EPG co-chairs, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke and Mr Roelf Meyer, who said: “The EPG will be reaching out to the foundations and the Presidency to seek solutions to the issues they have raised.

”The EPG will also be reaching out to the political players who have opted out of the process. Such is the nature of an authentic National Dialogue that the door must remain open for everyone to join the process.”

SACC general secretary Rev Mzwandile Molo said: “We encourage such efforts as we ask all South Africans to seriously consider the EPG’s approaches. We urge the EPG to ensure that the funds provided for the process of the National Dialogue will be properly monitored and used for their rightful purpose.”

He added: “The SACC National Church Leaders’ commitment to the need for the National Dialogue remains steadfast and unwavering. We do believe it is a historical moment that should not be wasted and undermined by narrow interests that further divide our people.”

The SACC confirmed that it will participate in the National Convention with its “independent voice in search of an inclusive, transparent and credible process.”

“We pray for God’s wisdom in these times and may we all serve our people with humility, according to Philippians 2:3-4: ‘Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.’”

Molo noted that National Dialogue “belongs to all South Africans, from the very start to its very conclusion, and there should be no hindrance to achieving this for ourselves.”

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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