National Dialogue Convention set to proceed amid concerns over costs
Image: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS
The first convention of the National Dialogue is expected to go ahead on Friday despite growing concerns about the cost of the gathering.
Intended to launch an extensive public dialogue process aimed at addressing the pressing socio-economic issues faced by citizens, the Convention is not without its detractors.
While the National Convention Organising Committee remains optimistic, critics have voiced significant concerns over the financial implications and the efficacy of such discussions amidst a backdrop of unfulfilled promises from previous government initiatives.
Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) said that South Africa was not a nation in the true sense and meaning of the word.
'We are not even united in our diversity, plus we do not even have a unique identity that unifies us. Instead, we use race and classism to further divide us. Major corruption under a black government has made this cleavage even worse,' Ntombela said.
'Therefore, there is nothing new and unknown that will come out of this National Dialogue. People have spoken loud and clear as to what the government ought to do to create a prosperous South Africa. it will have a huge fiscal impact but nothing meaningful or transformational.'
According to a statement released on Monday by the Organising Committee, the first National Convention is tasked with several objectives: it will kickstart the process of engaging communities across the nation, identify key themes for discussion, and establish a Steering Committee to oversee future dialogue.
A total of 1 000 delegates, representing more than 30 sectors and over 200 organisations, have been invited to attend; however, only 755 have confirmed participation as of yesterday.
As citizens prepare for a gathering that hopes to ignite meaningful conversations about the country's future, reactions from political analysts, economists, and trade union representatives reveal a spectrum of opinions about the initiative's potential.
Senior political science lecturer at the UKZN, Zakhele Ndlovu, remains sceptical.
'It is going to be another talk shop. Look at commissions of inquiry, their recommendations are never implemented. South Africans elect representatives to take the country in the right direction,' Ndlovu said.
'Actually, it is a distraction because we are now busy talking about it instead of holding our leaders accountable. In every election, South Africans continue to let their representatives get away with moving the country in the wrong direction.'
In contrast, Unisa economist Dr Eliphas Ndou contended that the dialogue offers an essential opportunity for citizens to shape policy. He believes that meaningful contributions could foster a prosperous future for all South Africans, provided that outcomes are translated into actionable reforms.
'The outcomes from the dialogue could result in formulation of policies that result in a prosperous future for all the South African people.'
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has expressed its support for the National Dialogue, citing the dire socio-economic challenges facing the working class.
Cosatu's Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks emphasised the necessity of mobilising society to address these issues and urges that any administrative hurdles should not delay the dialogue's progression.
'Whilst the Federation appreciates legitimate concerns outlined by the Legacy Foundations and other organisations, these can and must be addressed and the Dialogue proceeds as intended. If we wait for all issues; be it logistics, organisational or philosophical, to be resolved, we may find that time will simply run out,' he said.
Parks added that Cosatu will participate in the Dialogue as the many deep-seated socio-economic challenges facing the working class, the economy and the state, are such that they require the mobilisation of the entirety of society, including business to resolve
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
3 minutes ago
- The Citizen
‘Government should hang their heads in shame': Marikana Massacre marks 13 years without justice
Government has paid more than R350 million in claims linked to the tragedy. Saturday, 16 August 2025, marked 13 years since 34 mineworkers were gunned down by police in what is now remembered as the Marikana massacre. The incident took place at the Lonmin platinum mine (now Sibanye-Stillwater) in North West, during a wage protest in 2012. Ten people were also killed in the days leading up to the Marikana massacre between 12 and 16 August. ALSO READ: Over 1,800 illegal miners arrested in Stilfontein operation, most deported Although a commission of inquiry recommended that a full investigation be conducted to hold police accountable, no officers have faced prosecution to date. Meanwhile, government has paid more than R350 million in claims linked to the tragedy. Marikana Massacre remembered On Saturday, various organisations honoured the victims and renewed calls for accountability. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stressed that the slain miners were not criminals, but workers demanding fair wages. 'They were fathers, brothers, and sons, demanding a living wage in the face of exploitation, degradation, and hunger. 'Instead of dialogue and dignity, they were met with the barrels of guns in full view of the world,' the EFF said in a statement. READ MORE: Illegal miner says he will keep digging to survive The party also criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was a shareholder in Lonmin at the time, and the ANC for failing to deliver justice. 'It is not surprising then that the ANC has refused to bring justice to the families of the Marikana victims. 'There have been no prosecutions, no reparations, and no structural change to the mining sector that continues to enrich a few at the expense of the many. 'The workers of Marikana died in vain because their demands remain unmet, their killers remain unpunished, and the system that murdered them remains firmly in place.' The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg found in July 2022 that Ramaphosa did not carry legal responsibility for the massacre The EFF's Statement on the Anniversary of the Marikana Massacre -The recent unemployment statistics paint a bleak picture: millions without work, millions without hope, and millions trapped in poverty while the political elite grow richer. Black workers, in particular, have… — Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 16, 2025 'We will never forget' The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) also reiterated demands for justice. 'The families have yet to see justice, victims have yet to be compensated, and those who gave the orders have yet to be brought to account for their criminal conduct,' the union said. AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa said the ongoing National Dialogue disrespected the memory of the slain workers. 'The government should hang their heads in shame. This slaughter of hard-working men happened under their watch, under their command. 'These workers are not just numbers – they had names, families, and identities. Yet we are still calling for justice thirteen years later. That is a disgrace,' he said. READ MORE: Groups warn against heavy-handed raids in tackling illegal miners The union pointed out that Parliament rejected its calls for 16 August to be declared a public holiday. 'They would not even recognise it as a massacre. They want us to forget, but we will never forget.' AMCU added that, through the Marikana Massacre Trust Fund, it has built houses for the families of 34 victims. Mathunjwa said the day was more than just about remembrance, but a warning. 'That was the day the state showed its true face,' he added. Silence on NPA appeal Furthermore, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri) emphasised that true justice could only come through successful prosecutions. 'The state continues to fail the families of the deceased and the survivors of the massacre,' the NGO said. While the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has prosecuted nine police officers, Seri highlighted that that two trials ended in acquittals. 'In 2023, the NPA issued a statement detailing various personnel and resource constraints as reasons for their failure to prosecute the Marikana case. READ MORE: 'We know it's wrong, but they're trying to make a living,' say families of arrested illegal miners 'However, two more years have passed, and the families and survivors of the massacre have still not seen any progress concerning prosecutions for the massacre of 16 August 2012. 'Following the acquittals in 2024, the families were told that the NPA would consider an appeal but have heard nothing since. 'This inaction reflects a lack of commitment to ensuring the families obtain justice for the deaths of their loved ones.' Seri added that several family members of the victims had died without ever seeing accountability. Marikana Massacre a 'premeditated act of state violence' The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) declared that the Marikana massacre was not a tragic accident, but 'a premeditated act of state violence in defence of capital'. The federation said the state has ignored or failed to implement the commission's recommendations adequately. 'The state's refusal to fully implement these recommendations confirms Saftu's reluctance to participate in any so-called national dialogue. 'Dialogue without justice is a betrayal to the victims and a mockery to the working class.' NOW READ: SA opened 159 new mines in five years, creating over 15 000 jobs
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
National Dialogue steering committee aims for broader representation in two weeks
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressing delegates at the national convention, marking the opening of the National Dialogue. The constitution of the steering committee has been delayed by another two weeks. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Media The establishment of the broad-based steering committee to oversee and guide the National Dialogue is expected to be finalised in the next two weeks. The National Dialogue's first national convention at the University of SA's main campus in Pretoria on Saturday could not finalise constituting the steering committee. Mandisa Khanyile, a member of the convention organising committee, said some formations or sectors are not yet ready to make a decision regarding who they are going to have as their steering committee nominees 'What we have decided to do is that we are going to allow a period of two weeks post this convening for those sectors to make that decision,' she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Khanyile added that sectors should provide two or three nominees for the steering committee or one of its subcommittees. She said organisations and sectors will meet over the next two weeks and include not just people present during the national convention. 'There was a complaint that there were people who are not in this room, that we haven't had access to, this is the time to bring them into the conversation,' Khanyile explained. She said the organising committee wanted the process to be made public. 'If you are going to, for example, have a meeting, that meeting must be available for people online who want to join so that they can see the transparency within the process,' Khanyile added. She clarified that this is a 100% voluntary engagement. 'No one is going to get remunerated for their time. You will not be paid to do this work. 'It is going to be up to you and your organisation and your personal pocket how you fund your participation in this process,' said Khanyile, adding that involvement will be based on ability to participate without necessarily needing compensation. The Rastafari Nation Council representing 26 organisations of Rastafarians and seven orders of the Church of His Majesty or the churches of Rastafari opposed capping the number of steering committee members at 50. A representative of the council from Limpopo said half of the social or civil society movements present at the national convention are already speaking on behalf of the process and there is overrepresentation on their side. 'We have a National Assembly of 400 people, so it shouldn't be a problem having a steering committee as widely representative as possible than to be limiting it to a particular number,' the Rastafari council representative stated. He explained that as long as there is broad representation and inclusivity, they will be happy with that. The Rastafaris claim to be a significant minority of about three million in South Africa. 'We would like to humbly request that we be defined as Rastafari, not grouped with faith-based communities, not grouped with any other groupings because faith plays a smaller role within that. We are also one of the communities which are very much historically marginalised,' the representative added.
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
Convention faces backlash as key groups withdraw
PRETORIA - Over a thousand delegates have gathered in Pretoria to debate the country's most urgent challenges, but the event has come under fire. WATCH: Discussion | DA boycotts National Convention Several legacy foundations have walked out in protest. eNCA reporter Moloko Moloto has the latest from Unisa.
