LIVE: Drama unfolds at the National Dialogue launch as attendees demand to speak
Image: IOL
Tensions rose on the first day of the National Dialogue when individuals not listed as panellists nearly disrupted the event, demanding the opportunity to speak in front of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The National Dialogue kicked off on Friday at UNISA in Pretoria, despite the withdrawal of former President Thabo Mbeki, several legacy foundations, Government of National Unity (GNU) partners, and civil society organisations.
They pulled out of the process, citing concerns over its implementation and rushed timelines.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) also withdrew, accusing the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of using the dialogue to polish its image ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
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
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the keynote address at ZK Matthews Hall.
The event began with a welcoming address by UNISA Vice-Chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula, followed by a musical performance to entertain the crowd.
Drama unfolded shortly after panellists were invited to the stage for the first engagement session before the president's address.
While panellists from the Citizen-Led National Dialogue Roadmap were called to the stage, individuals not on the list attempted to intervene, demanding to speak in front of Ramaphosa and other high-profile delegates.
"That is why we have a panel of citizen-led panellists to represent the citizens," said the programme director.
"Those who are here and not on the list of panellists, please let us not come here and disturb the panel."
Two men in suits were subsequently escorted off the stage after attempting to disrupt proceedings.
Earlier, before the official programme began, another incident occurred when an attendee fainted and required medical attention.
Emergency medical services responded promptly, and the individual was taken away for further care, while delegates sang struggle songs in a show of solidarity.
Despite the disruptions, the ANC confirmed its participation, stating that it supports the initiative as a means of building consensus and addressing the country's worsening socio-economic and political challenges.
"Our participation will be anchored in the values of the ANC, the resolutions of our national conferences, and the current lived experiences of our people," said ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bengu-Motsiri.
The ANC delegation includes secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa, head of political education subcommittee David Mathura, and Angie Motshekga.
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Cosatu supports National Dialogue, but warns talk must lead to action
The National Dialogue has sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning whether it can deliver concrete improvements to jobs, services, and the economy. RELATED: National Convention kicks off amid tensions over legitimacy, citizen representation While acknowledging public frustration, Cosatu maintains that a properly structured and monitored process could lay the groundwork for a renewed social contract, only if implementation follows. Phetoe says the labour federation initially raised concerns, but agreed to support the process after engagements with the dialogue team appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He emphasises that any outcomes must be government-led to ensure implementation.
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
We are here to start the dialogue, says Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised his standing amid the wrangling over the national dialogue. Taking to the podium to address the national convention meant to kick off the dialogue, the president maintained he is well within his rights to oversee the process as its convener. 'I have called this first national convention in my capacity as your president, as the head of state. I have done so in line with section 83 of our constitution, which requires the president, as the head of state and head of the national executive, to promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance the republic. 'This is what brings me here. This is why I invited all of you here, to be here and be part of this dialogue,' said Ramaphosa. Despite the dramatic 11th-hour withdrawal from the dialogue by legacy foundations, Ramaphosa insisted there was a need to forge ahead as planned. Thanking them for their work preparing for the dialogue, Ramaphosa said any hesitation or postponement could erode trust in the process by civil society organisations and NGOs invited to share their views. 'For more than a year, various formations of civil society have been working to conceptualise and champion the national dialogue. Central to this effort have been a number of legacy foundations established by and named for stalwarts of our liberation struggle. We express our gratitude and appreciation for the work of these foundations in giving life to the national dialogue.' He said this would open up a space where South Africans confront their realities openly, respectfully and constructively. ' This is not a partisan platform. This is a national platform. Here, no voice is too small and no perspective is too inconvenient to be heard. We are gathered to listen to each other, to understand one another and to chart a common path forward for our country. 'We meet at a time of profound challenges: economic hardship, unemployment, inequality, growing poverty and a crisis of confidence in our institutions. We also meet at a time when the world is rapidly changing and our ability to adapt and renew ourselves will define the next generation. But history teaches us that nations are not defined solely by their difficulties; they are defined by how they respond to challenges they face.' Ramaphosa said the South African struggle was one for freedom from the nightmare of apartheid, one that proved there was unity in diversity. 'It is a powerful force for transformation. Gathered in this hall are people from all across our land, people from all walks of life, people of all races, all classes, all languages and cultures.' Despite the diversity of those participating in forums like the dialogue, one thing that held South Africans together was that they were all 'sons and daughters of the same soil'. 'We share a common past. We share the same inheritance of division, of inequality and of injustice. We share the same pride at ending the crime of apartheid and establishing a constitutional democracy. We also share a common future. And that is why we have chosen to gather here today. Because each one of us, regardless of our differences, is committed to work together to build the future of which we all dream. 'We have chosen to be here because we believe in the power of dialogue and united action. We believe that if we share our concerns and fears, we can conquer them. If we understand the challenges we face, we can overcome them. 'If we know what hurts us, we can heal. If we know what divides us, we can unite.' He said across the length and breadth of South Africa, people would, and should, meet to talk about what worried them, what gave them hope and how they thought their lives and the country could be better.
eNCA
3 hours ago
- eNCA
First convention of National dialogue enters second and final day
PRETORIA - The first convention of the National dialogue is entering its second and final day in Pretoria. On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa implored delegates to ensure resolutions are implemented. READ | Khoi and San to take part in National Dialogue He says people are tired of programmes that don't yield results. eNCA's Pule Letshwiti-Jones reports.
