President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Convention scheduled to start on the 15th of August will go ahead, with or without the participation of the national legacy foundations.
He was responding to questions on the public notice of withdrawal from the process, of entities like the Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko, Chief Albert Luthuli and FW De Klerk Foundations.
They cited the erosion of citizen leadership, a rushed timeline and a lack of financial and operational infrastructure, as reasons for not attending. The President was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of an extension of Rand Waters Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant, in Vereeniging.
The President said the first meeting of the Convention would not deal with substantive issues but rather map out the process and choose a steering committee.
The National Convention scheduled for next week, will take place as planned. This is according to Ramaphosa.