Latest news with #NationalDialoguePreparatoryTaskTeam
Daily Maverick
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
From consultation to action: The critical role of the National Dalogue in SA's future
Dialogue cannot be effective without first properly assessing what's wrong and how it can be fixed. The National Dialogue announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa two weeks ago aims to foster unity in South Africa and find collective solutions to the country's multifaceted challenges. The initiative, which has been under discussion for years, will involve a wide range of societal sectors. It starts with a National Convention on 15 August 2025, which will set the agenda for the broader dialogue. The aim is to forge a social compact to drive a new 30-year National Development Plan (NDP). A National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team has begun mobilising civil society, establishing various working committees. A second National Convention, planned for early 2026, will consolidate proposals from the various engagements into a national vision and implementation programme. Consultation is essential but insufficient to develop a common understanding of our poor growth trajectory. We may think we know why South Africa is not growing inclusively and rapidly, but an authoritative assessment is needed to determine what is wrong. Collective discussions of these challenges can then shape a plan of action. South Africans want action, and are well aware of the pressing issues Ramaphosa listed, such as poor social services, high unemployment, widespread crime, corruption, food inflation and economic stagnation. What they do not see is a plan to carry the country forward. It is naive to think that such a plan will emerge from broad consultation without preparatory work by issue-level experts, which is then made available for public critique. This needn't be a lengthy process. This logical route was used to develop the current National Development Plan (NDP 2030). Each phase in its drafting allowed room for consultation and engagement, providing an excellent example to emulate. Key challenges identified The process started with establishing the National Planning Commission (NPC) in May 2010 by then president Jacob Zuma. Led by Trevor Manuel, the NPC spent the first year developing its impressive Diagnostic Overview, which identified key challenges. The current National Dialogue process should start with a similar analysis. The subsequent development of NDP 2030 involved wide-ranging consultations, with the overarching goals of eliminating poverty and reducing inequality by 2030. A first draft for comment was released in 2011, and the Cabinet adopted the final plan in August 2012. But because the purpose of the exercise was primarily to ensure a political offramp for Manual — a political challenger and irritant to Zuma — subsequent attention was limited, and the plan was essentially shelved. The National Dialogue should develop a follow-on NDP to 2043 or 2053, aligning with the third and fourth 10-year implementation plans of the African Union's (AU) Agenda 2063. South Africa has rhetorically supported Agenda 2063 and hosts the AU Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development secretariat, which oversees Agenda 2063. It would send an important message to other African countries if South Africa aligns its follow-on NDP with Agenda 2063's successive 10-year action plans, as other African states are now doing. The Institute for Security Studies work on long-term futures across Africa uses 2043. Our experience is that a long horizon (e.g. to 2050 and beyond) is easily ignored by governments fixated on electoral cycles. Politics will inevitably encroach on the process. By March 2026, when the dialogue is set to conclude with the adoption of a programme of action, Ramaphosa will have little more than a year left of his presidency. The African National Congress (ANC) selects a new leader in December 2027, with Deputy President Paul Mashatile the most likely contender to lead the party into the 2029 general elections. ANC's downward trajectory Irrespective of its choice of president, these polls will probably see the ANC continue on its downward trajectory, emerging at best as the largest party in a coalition government. Recent polling even suggests the ANC will be ousted to the opposition benches. It is important to ensure that any plan emanating from the National Dialogue survives beyond 2029. Practically, that means the Eminent Persons Group (the more than 30 people appointed to guide the dialogue) and the Steering Committee must be isolated from politics and serve as the incoming planning commission. Alternatively, the group should be endorsed by the parties comprising the current Government of National Unity, given their commitment to shared governance. The location, mandate and composition of the dialogue's Task Team and Steering Committee are therefore vital. At first glance, locating the day-to-day operations of the secretariat in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) appears attractive. Nedlac provides a platform for dialogue between the government, business, labour and community organisations to address economic, labour and development issues. But the council has not engendered much confidence, and a forum for dialogue is not an appropriate place for national planning, monitoring and vision. The logical location remains within the Presidency, given the importance of proximity to power when translating good intent into impact. Developing the follow-on plan The current 27 National Planning Commission commissioners' terms end in 2026. It makes sense — since they have already been appointed and announced — to formally align the dialogue's Eminent Persons Group with the commission, allowing them to assume responsibility for developing the follow-on plan, serving as commissioners. Finally, South Africa is cash-strapped. When he tabled the 2025/26 national Budget, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana included the dialogue as one of six unfunded spending priorities. The preparatory committee has apparently mentioned R700-million to finance the process — enraging many South Africans. It is a stretch to argue that such a costly dialogue is more important than the other unfunded items Godongwana listed — all of which are pressing and would make a practical difference to growth. These include the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa's rolling stock fleet renewal, replacing the gap left by the United States' withdrawal of Pepfar (Aids relief) funds, and funding for the Chief Justice and Statistics SA. It appears that the Task Team, comprising more than 50 organisations representing foundations, non-governmental organisations, community-based groups and the Presidency, has yet to present a budget to the Treasury. The National Dialogue is crucial to confronting South Africa's deep-seated problems and fostering a unified approach to building a better future. But it must be grounded with appropriate analysis and consultation, driven from the Presidency, reviewed regularly and must assume a time horizon aligned with Agenda 2063. DM
TimesLIVE
24-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
‘National dialogue' is another scam
The EFF categorically rejects the grotesque and wasteful plan by the so-called National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team to spend R700m on what they are calling a 'national dialogue' because we know that it has no bearing on the lives of ordinary South Africans. In a country ravaged by poverty, joblessness and a collapsing public infrastructure , it is not only irresponsible but deeply immoral to even contemplate such an exorbitant budget for what is essentially a talk shop for elites. The timing of this announcement is also indicative of an uncaring government that is out of touch with the majority of its citizens...
IOL News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Julius Malema: EFF will not stand by as R700 million is looted under the guise of a National Dialogue
By Julius Malema The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) categorically rejects the grotesque and wasteful plan by the so-called National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team to spend R700 million on what they are calling a 'National Dialogue' because we know that it has no bearing on the lives of ordinary South Africans. In a country ravaged by poverty, joblessness, and a collapsing public infrastructure that continues to fall prey to climate change, it is not only irresponsible but deeply immoral to even contemplate such an exorbitant budget for a talk shop for elites. The timing of this announcement is also indicative of an uncaring government that is out of touch with the majority of the citizens of this country. The proposed dialogue with an inordinate price tag is said to involve only two national conventions and an unspecified number of public engagements. The entire project reeks of cronyism and self-enrichment that is deceptively packaged in the language of nation-building in an attempt to fool the public. But the EFF recognises this for the farce that it is. Dialogues do not cost R700 million. What we are currently witnessing is the return of the very same gravy train that stripped this country and its people of its dignity and robbed deserving South Africans of an opportunity to progress out of poverty. The difference is that now it is dressed up in what is being sold as a democratic consultation. Not on our watch! This absurd plan is being tabled at a time when our country is buckling under the weight of an unforgiving cost-of-living crisis. We have just emerged from a battle with Treasury over its callous and illegal attempt to increase VAT by a staggering 2% when the national budget was initially presented. It was a move that would have hit the poor and working class the hardest but failed because the EFF fought for the people and justice prevailed. However, on the horizon looms a fuel levy increase, which will undoubtedly lead to an increase in the price of food, transport, and essential goods. This again will hit the poor and marginalised people of this country the hardest solely because we are led by a government that has made it its mission to cushion the elite whilst exploiting the poor. Yet in these trying times the same government wants to allocate almost a billion rands for a dialogue. A dialogue with no defined outcomes, no constitutional mandate, and no meaningful connection to the urgent crises our people face. This is the epitome of tone-deaf. It is a slap in the face to millions of South Africans who go to bed hungry, study in dilapidated schools, queue at under-resourced clinics, and live in constant fear of crime in communities where police are severely understaffed. The government of Ramaphosa and his GNU can fund a dialogue but cannot implement solutions that will improve the lives of our people. The EFF supports genuine efforts at public engagement and democratic consultation, but we vehemently reject with contempt the idea that close to a billion is required in order for a dialogue to be classified as credible and meaningful. The government is clearly not serious about public involvement because if it were, it would invest that money into capacitating local clinics and building schools, so our kids are given quality decolonised education at all levels irrespective of their backgrounds. A caring government would focus on rebuilding our ailing infrastructure and resuscitating closed factories and industries as suggested by the EFF because that would lead to a working economy that can absorb young people who are currently jobless. Only an ANC government that is aloof with its DA partners can think democracy can be reduced to conferences in Sandton that will entail inflated invoices and no consequences. The EFF does not share those sentiments because we know that our people face more pressing needs. Our people need jobs, and they need them now. Our people need quality healthcare and safety in their communities. Our people need bold action and a country that prioritises the redistribution of wealth and land without compensation. They need action on load shedding and infrastructure collapse, not panel discussions on theoretical unity. This R700 million dialogue proposal is nothing but a vanity project of this failing government. It is looting of public funds. It is a national parade of misaligned government programs. Inflating prices for a dialogue whilst failing to employ doctors or pay educators. It is further enrichment for the elite and their networks who will benefit through tenders and consultancy fees. The near billion-rand price tag is an insult to struggling South Africans and our unemployed youth. The EFF demands full public disclosure of the dialogue budget, line by line. We will not allow this to happen behind closed doors while our people starve. Furthermore, the EFF is exploring legal options to challenge this wasteful expenditure and to prevent it from proceeding. We are also calling on civil society, labour unions, and all patriotic South Africans to reject this abuse of public funds. The EFF will continue to fight for economic justice, for an end to wasteful expenditure, and for a government that places the interests of the poor and marginalised at the centre of its agenda. This country does not need a dialogue as we all already know what our problems are. We need implementation. We need jobs, land, housing, education, healthcare, and safety. We need a government that works for the people, not one that hosts conferences to congratulate itself while the country burns. Julius Malema is the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Presidency clarifies role of foundations in the National Dialogue preparations
The Presidency has noted various media reports on the National Dialogue that are based on incorrect or incomplete information. In this regard, the Presidency wishes to clarify the following: The National Dialogue is to be an inclusive process in which all South Africans will have an opportunity to participate as individuals or through organised formations. The first National Convention to enable an all-inclusive process will be convened on 15 August 2025 to set the agenda for the National Dialogue. This will be followed by discussions across the country, in various sectors and on issues that citizens feel deserve national attention. These will then be grouped into agenda themes for national engagement. A second National Convention will be held in the beginning of 2026 where these discussions will be consolidated into a common national vision and implementation programme. The Eminent Persons Group has been appointed to champion the National Dialogue and to provide guidance to ensure that the process is inclusive and credible. It is comprised of respected individuals who have played and continue to play an important role in various areas of our national life. The Eminent Persons Group will not be responsible for the day-to-day running of activities. Preparations for the National Convention and other activities are currently being undertaken by a National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team made up of representatives from various foundations, civil society organisations and the Presidency. The National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team has been working for close to a year on developing the form and approach to the National Dialogue. This team will remain seized with the practical arrangements for the National Dialogue until a representative Steering Committee has been established. Media reports that certain foundations belonging to the stalwarts of the liberation struggle have been sidelined or overlooked are inaccurate. These foundations, together with other civil society formations that were part of the initial work, remain centrally involved in the Preparatory Task Team. Over the next few weeks, the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team will undertake a series of information sessions and consultations with a range of stakeholders in preparation for the first National Convention on 15 August 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
