National Dialogue - African Times

Mr President, the Black Dialogue is the Authentic Talk of the Marginalised who Long for True Freedom and Development

An open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa Greetings Mr President, To act in this uncharacteristic manner is a desperate attempt to grab your highly contested and congested attention and redirect it to the voice of the voiceless. The fact that you cut your political teeth in the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), of which I remain an activist,… Continue reading Mr President, the Black Dialogue is the Authentic Talk of the Marginalised who Long for True Freedom and Development

Ramaphosa Under Fire as Taxpayer-Funded Dialogue Faces Backlash

CHAOS: The National Dialogue descended into chaos on its very first day, with political spats, withdrawals of key figures, and social media mockery overshadowing proceedings. Photo: GCIS

The National Dialogue — billed as a platform to forge unity and chart South Africa’s future — descended into chaos on its very first day, with political spats, withdrawals of key figures, and social media mockery overshadowing proceedings. The opening session, hosted in Johannesburg, was briefly disrupted by shouting matches between delegates who clashed over… Continue reading Ramaphosa Under Fire as Taxpayer-Funded Dialogue Faces Backlash

Protests, Heated Exchanges Mark Opening of South Africa’s National Dialogue

The first sitting of South Africa’s much-anticipated National Convention — a gathering billed as the start of a “million conversations” to confront the country’s social and economic crises — began in Pretoria on Friday under a cloud of tension. Earlier in the day, chaos briefly erupted inside the venue at UNISA’s main campus, where senior… Continue reading Protests, Heated Exchanges Mark Opening of South Africa’s National Dialogue

Blow for National Dialogue as ActionSA Pulls Out, GOOD Party Urges Staying the Course

KINGMAKER: ActionSA parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, says the party would withhold its support if the VAT increase proposal is implemented from 1 May 2025. Photo: ActionSA

The upcoming first National Convention of South Africa’s National Dialogue has been dealt another blow, with ActionSA announcing it will withdraw from full participation just days before the event, citing unresolved concerns over funding transparency, legal oversight, and political legitimacy. Despite stepping back, ActionSA will send two Members of Parliament — Dr Kgosi Letlape and… Continue reading Blow for National Dialogue as ActionSA Pulls Out, GOOD Party Urges Staying the Course

National Dialogue Pushes Ahead Amid Funding Row and Withdrawals

CRISIS: In a strongly worded joint statement issued on Friday, the foundations delivered a severe blow to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s flagship social compact initiative, which was meant to chart a new path for the country through wide-ranging, inclusive engagement across sectors and communities. Photo: GCIS

Organisers of South Africa’s first National Dialogue are pushing ahead with preparations for this weekend’s convention in Pretoria, despite a growing backlash over its cost, purpose, and the withdrawal of several key participants. The National Dialogue, also called the National Convention, is billed as a citizen-led platform where government, political parties, civil society, business, labour,… Continue reading National Dialogue Pushes Ahead Amid Funding Row and Withdrawals

National Dialogue to Go Ahead Despite Fierce Criticism

Just days before South Africa’s first National Convention of the National Dialogue, the process is pressing ahead under intense political pressure, despite the withdrawal of several prominent foundations who warn the citizen-led project risks being compromised. The high-profile resignations – by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, FW de Klerk Foundation, and Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy… Continue reading National Dialogue to Go Ahead Despite Fierce Criticism

Credibility Collapses: Big Foundations Ditch Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue

SMOKESCREEN: Critics have dismissed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s latest progress report on implementing the Zondo Commission’s recommendations as more smoke than fire. Photo: RSA Presidency

South Africa’s ambitious National Dialogue has been thrown into crisis just days before its official launch, after seven of the country’s most prominent legacy foundations announced their immediate withdrawal from the Preparatory Task Team (PTT) and the upcoming First National Convention, scheduled for 15 August 2025. In a strongly worded joint statement issued on Friday,… Continue reading Credibility Collapses: Big Foundations Ditch Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue