Another one bites the dust: FF Plus joins boycott of ANC's National Dialogue

IOL News

14 hours ago

The Freedom Front Plus joins AfriForum and Solidarity in boycotting Friday's National Dialogue, citing the ANC's refusal to abandon 'failed' economic and foreign policy directions.
Image: File photo: Jacoline Prinsloo
The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) has also withdrawn from the Presidency's planned National Dialogue set for Friday, 15 August 2025.
This announcement follows similar decisions by civil rights groups AfriForum and Solidarity, who also declared their intentions to boycott the event.
The FF Plus highlighted the African National Congress's (ANC) continued commitment to 'failed' policies as the key reason behind their withdrawal.
In a statement on Tuesday, the party emphasised its belief in dialogue but criticised the ANC's role in the process.
"South Africa desperately needs meaningful, reasoned and solution-oriented dialogue – and the Freedom Front Plus will gladly participate in such a dialogue," said FF Plus leader Dr Corne Mulder.
'Unfortunately, it has become abundantly clear that the ANC, as the largest party in the Government of National Unity (GNU), is not ready to have a genuine, reasoned and solution-oriented dialogue.'
The party pointed to comments by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who stated that the ANC would not shift from its current economic and foreign policies.
The FF Plus argues that these policies, including Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), expropriation without compensation, and cadre deployment, are at the heart of South Africa's economic decline.
'The root causes of South Africa's economic decline are no secret,' the party said. 'Failed ANC policies coupled with corruption and cadre deployment have destroyed state institutions and municipalities.'
Mulder added that the ANC had 'a golden opportunity' after the 2024 elections to prove it could work collaboratively, but instead 'chose to double down on its outdated policies.'
'The results of the 2024 general elections clearly indicate that voters have lost confidence in the ANC and are no longer willing to trust the ANC to govern alone,' said Mulder.
'A political party with such a mindset and approach cannot act as a credible facilitator for the Presidency or a participant in a national dialogue.'
The FF Plus also blamed the ANC's 'ideologically driven' foreign policy for South Africa's worsening international relations, including the recent imposition of 30% trade tariffs by the United States.
The party said that, while it would not participate directly, its Chief Executive Officer, Pieter de Necker, has been instructed to attend the National Dialogue as an observer.
It further called on other GNU parties to work together in finding 'practical solutions that prioritise South Africa's interests.'
'Truth be told, it may be time to conduct an honest national dialogue involving all those who are serious about progress and have South Africa's best interests at heart – without the ANC,' said Mulder.
Mulder said the party would continue to 'fight for a country where merit and opportunities, not outdated ideologies and political agendas, set the tone.'
At a press briefing held on Tuesday, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel stated that both AfriForum and Solidarity are withdrawing because the dialogue has been 'captured' by the ANC and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
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'The national dialogue has become an ANC monologue. They want to dictate the agenda. The crisis we're facing is due to years of ANC mismanagement — how can we trust them to prescribe the solution?' said Kriel.
Kriel said the organisations would instead focus on community-level dialogues and practical cooperation with groups such as the Barolong, Busuleka, Namabele, and Bakgatla communities.
Solidarity CEO Dr Dirk Hermann also said the ANC had lost the trust of the public and called the process a "state-sponsored ANC revival project."
'People do not want to talk to the ANC. The real dialogue already started at the ballot box in 2024. We will continue dialogue — but not with the government,' Hermann said.
He added that Solidarity would engage with unions, civic groups, and cultural communities to discuss alternatives beyond the current government structure.
Several highly respected foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, and Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, also announced their withdrawal last Friday.
In a joint statement, they said:
'What began as a citizen-led initiative has unfortunately shifted towards government control.'
They expressed regret but stressed the need to protect the credibility and integrity of the dialogue process.
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