National Dialogue: Everything you need to know

The National Dialogue is set to kick off despite several withdrawals and controversy. We take a look at the reason for the dialogue, the withdrawals and the controversy:

What is the National Dialogue?

The National Dialogue is a government initiative designed to unite South Africans in addressing the country's most pressing issues. This includes social, economic, and political challenges. Its purpose is to spark discussions at a grassroots level, identify common ground, build a collective vision for progress, and strengthen democratic processes.

It is believed to be a phased, participatory process involving local consultations, sectoral discussions, and provincial gatherings. There is expected to be a second convention in early 2026 where a national programme of action will be adopted.

An Eminent Persons Group (EPG) has been appointed to guide the dialogue.

Key dates and venue

The first National Convention is scheduled to take place from August 15 to 16, 2025, at UNISA’s main campus in Pretoria.

The National Convention is expected to bring together 200 organisations from 33 different sectors. Only 557 people from 28 sectors had confirmed attendance.

Who has withdrawn and why?

• Legacy Foundations: Seven foundations—the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, WDB Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group—withdrew due to "deep regret" to protect the process's credibility and integrity. Their key concerns include a rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and a perceived shift from a citizen-led initiative towards government control. They believe core principles have been violated. They also cited the absence of a confirmed, approved budget allocation and last-minute commitment of initial funds, which made sound preparation impossible. They proposed rescheduling the convention to after October 15, 2025, for adequate preparation.
• ActionSA: The party announced it would not formally participate or "lend legitimacy" to the process due to unresolved concerns, particularly regarding the lawful appropriation of the budget and lack of parliamentary engagement. However, ActionSA will send a two-member delegation (MPs Dr Kgosi Letlape and Lerato Ngobeni) to exercise oversight and monitor spending, attending at their own expense.
• AfriForum and Solidarity: These lobby groups pulled out, with AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel stating the process has been "captured by the ANC as well as President Ramaphosa", turning it into an "ANC monologue" that dictates the agenda. Solidarity's chief executive, Dr Dirk Hermann, claimed citizens view it as a "state-sponsored ANC revival project" and that the ANC "hijacked the spontaneous community dialogue".
• Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus): The party withdrew, citing the ANC's continued commitment to "failed" economic and foreign policies, such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), expropriation without compensation, and cadre deployment. They believe a party with such a mindset cannot act as a credible facilitator. The FF Plus also decided to send its Chief Executive Officer, Pieter de Necker, as an observer.
• Democratic Alliance (DA): The country's second-largest political party withdrew, citing a "breakdown in trust" and accusing President Ramaphosa of shielding corruption-accused ANC ministers. The DA criticised the President for allegedly breaching the GNU’s founding Statement of Intent and for what they called a pattern of "arrogance, disrespect and double standards" by the ANC. They also labelled the dialogue a "R740 million taxpayer-funded electioneering ploy".
• MK Party (uMkhonto weSizwe Party): The party condemned the National Dialogue as an expensive political stunt and a "Trojan horse for backroom political deals" that bypasses Parliament and grants the Presidency unchecked influence. They highlighted urgent national failures like service delivery crises while funds are diverted to "political theatre".
• Afrikaner Leadership Network (ALN): This organisation expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and openness in the planned process and will not participate.

Organisations still participating, supporting or observing

• The Presidency and the National Convention Organising Committee have insisted the event will proceed as scheduled, despite the withdrawals.
• COSATU expressed support, highlighting the dire socio-economic challenges faced by the working class and the necessity of mobilising society.
• The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) acknowledged the urgency for a credible platform for national consensus, with support contingent on enforceable reforms and tangible, redistributive outcomes.
• The South African Council of Churches (SACC) also expressed concerns about transparency and inclusivity but confirmed its participation to ensure an "inclusive, transparent and credible process". They encouraged the Eminent Persons Group to provide moral leadership and ensure proper monitoring of funds.
• UNISA is a major donor, providing venues and services free of charge. Kagiso Trust donated R2 million, and other NGOs have contributed in kind.

Concerns and controversies

Budgetary scrutiny: The estimated R700 million price tag has sparked public criticism, especially since the country grapples with service delivery failures and inequality. National Convention spokesperson Rev Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu clarified that the R700 million is a draft figure prepared by the preparatory task team, not a final government allocation.

The conceptual funding framework projects 60% of costs from the government (fiscus) and 40% from donors (cash and in-kind contributions from businesses, private sector, civil society, churches, and municipalities).

The Presidency confirmed that costs for the first convention are funded from existing NEDLAC and Presidency budgets, with UNISA providing venues and services free of charge. Ramaphosa also stated efforts are underway to reduce the overall cost.

Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations has raised questions about funding sources and governance, insisting public money must be accounted for and allocated through an act of Parliament.

Legitimacy and duplication: The Labour Party of South Africa filed a legal bid to halt the dialogue, saying it's a costly and dangerous duplication of the national legislature. It questioned the President's power to establish it if it aims to create policy and binding decisions. The Gauteng High Court dismissed this bid, ruling that the President is mandated to promote national unity and the dialogue has a rational link to this goal.

"Elite capture" and exclusions: Civil society groups, like Free SA, argue the dialogue is "neither national nor a dialogue" because it excludes key political parties and entire sectors of society, making it appear more like a PR exercise. According to political analyst, Sandile Swana, it's a concern of "elite capture," where a document produced by ruling elites may not reflect the needs of ordinary South Africans.

Talk shop vs. action: Critics view the dialogue as another "talk shop" disconnected from real challenges. They argue that South Africa needs delivery and practical solutions to issues like unemployment, poverty, crime, and failing public services, instead of more speeches or reports.

Accountability for corruption: Critics, including #NotInMyName, argue that the government lacks the moral imperative to convene the dialogue while widespread reports of corruption and mismanagement of state resources remain unaddressed. There are warnings that unless the dialogue directly addresses issues like the Phala Phala affair, it will lack credibility.

President Ramaphosa's Stance

President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the decision to proceed, stating that the National Convention is essential for South Africa's people to take ownership and control of the National Dialogue. He expressed regret over some withdrawals but was encouraged by their stated intention to still play a role.

Ramaphosa has also urged women to lead discussions and participate actively in the dialogue, especially as the first convention takes place during Women's Month.

He stressed that women, who are significantly affected by national issues, must be equally represented across all structures, including young and old, rural and urban, and those from diverse ethnic, linguistic, and LGBTQI+ communities.

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