The Presidency says the National Dialogues total budget will depend on in-kind contributions, donations and other resources.
This follows reports of disagreements on the Dialogues cost between the government and legacy foundations, such as the Thabo Mbeki , Steve Biko, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundations.
Over the weekend, Sunday Times cited unnamed sources who claimed the foundations had proposed a budget of R853 million.
The sources further claimed the government had reduced this amount to R452 million, which would essentially be a 60/40 split with 60 percent coming from the government and the rest being raised by them.
Presidency on National Dialogue costsIn a statement on Sunday 10 August, the Presidency said all budgetary processes regarding the Dialogues National Convention, which is scheduled for August 15-16, comply with the Public Finance Management Act PFMA.
It revealed that UNISA has offered to host the Convention free of charge, with plenary, overflow and breakaway venues already secured. The university is also providing facilities for an Operations Centre.
The costs of the first convention are being funded from the existing budgets of NEDLAC and the Presidency for secretariat support, communications and logistics, the Presidency explained.
There have also been donations for goods and services such as rail and road transport, screens for public viewing, and the Dialogues digital platform.
The reduced costs associated with the hosting of the National Dialogue and the funding plan are done with the intention to reduce the cost to the fiscus, the Presidency added.
The total budget for the National Dialogue will be developed as the structure and form of the community dialogues are finalised by the Convention, and will depend on in-kind contributions, donations and other resources that can be mobilised.