South Africas taxpayers may have to part with at least R700 million to fund the National Dialogue, according to the Preparatory Task Team chairperson Nkosinathi Biko.
The Task Team held a media briefing on Friday 13 June to outline how the initiative will unfold.
On Tuesday 10 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he would call a National Convention on 15 August to prepare the National Dialogues agenda.
The Dialogue will then be held at various levels nationwide followed by a second National Convention early next year. This Convention will finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all South Africans, Ramaphosa said.
It is anticipated that the National Dialogue will drive progress towards our Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa's National Development Plan, he added.
National Dialogue to cost R700mAt the briefing on Friday, Biko said the Task Team would submit a draft budget to the government .
Democracy is not cheap. Building a nation is very costly. The next thing we are going to do is to present the draft budget and workshop that budget. Just to pull the provinces and municipalities is an estimation of probably more than R700 million, he said.
"This dialogue is not an event. It's a series. A process. A movement. We all must raise our hands - not just to be included, but to lead."
The National Convention in August will set the agenda and shape the issues to be tackled at local level, Biko added. Community based organisations, nongovernmental organisations, faith-based groups and ordinary citizens will play a central role.
However, some sections of society, such as ActionSA, have already questioned the estimated cost of the initiative.