Former president Nelson Mandela is not involved "in any way" in the National Convention taking place this weekend, his foundation said on Friday.

"We note that an advert soliciting support for the SA National Convention quotes Nelson Mandela," said Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Achmat Dangor.

"The organisers of the convention are of course entitled to quote utterances by Mr Mandela that are already in the public domain. We, however, want to point out that the inclusion of his words in this advert should not be construed as Mr Mandela being involved with this initiative in any way.

"He has asked not to be drawn into political debates and we trust that his wishes will be respected by all concerned," said Dangor in a statement.

Former ANC chairperson Terror Lekota, who resigned from the African National Congress on Friday, is hosting a National Convention to discuss the possibility of forming a breakaway party in Johannesburg at the weekend.

Sapa