Transparency and costs spark debate
READ: How will National Dialogue will be financed?
From questions about transparency to the hefty price tag, they're all raising eyebrows.
Critics have slammed the initiative from every angle.
The DA, which is part of the government of national unity, jumped ship over the matter, along with several major legacy foundations. The Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation CEO Janet Jobson, discussed the reception to the dialogue with eNCA.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 minutes ago
- IOL News
ANC defends B-BBEE as DA pushes to dismantle empowerment policies
African National Congress (ANC) stands firm in defending B-BBEE policies, highlighting their role in empowering millions and urging beneficiaries to protect transformation gains against the DA's push to dismantle these initiatives. Image: IOL / Independent Newspapers The African National Congress (ANC) has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of seeking to dismantle South Africa's transformation policies, which the ANC says have brought tangible change to the lives of the majority. The party has called on all beneficiaries of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) to defend the gains made under democracy. This comes after the DA announced a set of reform proposals aimed at empowering state-owned entities (SOEs), which it claims offer a better alternative to B-BBEE, employment equity, and the Expropriation Act, policies the party insists must be scrapped. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg, DA leader John Steenhuisen said the three laws are major obstacles to economic growth. 'BBBEE and racial quotas have failed, and together with expropriation without compensation, create an environment that deters investment, growth and job creation for the majority of South Africans,' he said. Steenhuisen added that the DA is not against transformation, but argued that current empowerment policies have failed ordinary South Africans. 'These policies are simply not fair. They don't help the millions of South Africans who just need the government to get out of the way. These policies must go,' he said. He called for the replacement of B-BBEE and employment equity with measures based on need and merit. In response, the ANC said that transformation policies must be continuously evaluated and discussed by all South Africans to ensure they remain aligned with the goals of democracy, social justice, and equality, as outlined in the Constitution. 'The ANC recognises that these conversations and debates must be held among all South Africans, particularly to address concerns that such policies may be unintentionally creating a new form of elitism,' said ANC spokesperson Mhlengi Bhengu-Motsiri. 'To effectively tackle any unintended consequences, the ANC believes that the discussion must be guided by scientific findings.' The ANC said it supports the BEE Commission's call for focused evaluation studies to assess the impact of B-BBEE, stating that such research will help ensure the policy achieves its intended purpose of building a more equitable society. The party highlighted the recent findings of the 2023–2024 Analysis of Major B-BBEE Transactions report, which it says confirms that B-BBEE is delivering measurable benefits to ordinary South Africans. According to the ANC, companies invested R7.2 billion in enterprise development, enabling thousands of black-owned and managed small businesses and cooperatives to grow. Supplier development reached R40.7 billion, while R64 billion was spent on skills development, with a focus on young people, women, and rural learners. Bhengu-Motsiri said B-BBEE is rooted in the democratic framework and is designed to benefit 'black South Africans, that is Africans, Coloureds and Indians, and further extends benefits to white women, who were also historically marginalised in economic participation.' 'These empowerment measures have opened pathways for millions of South Africans into business ownership, corporate leadership, and skilled employment,' she said. 'We call on all South Africans who have benefitted from these measures, including those appointed to various positions in the private sector, to stand in defence of their own gains and reject any political agenda aimed at reversing the progress made.' As the leader of society, the ANC added that it will continue to evaluate all transformation policies to ensure they serve their intended purpose. 'Where these policies are found not to benefit those who were previously oppressed and marginalised, they will be reviewed and strengthened,' the party said. [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
South Africa's Opposition Parties Criticise Q2 Jobs Data Amid Unemployment Crisis
concerns about growing number of unemplpyed people in the country Image: Ron Lach/Pexels South Africa's second quarter 2025 jobs data has triggered strong criticism from political parties and organised labour, with calls for urgent economic reforms, job creation programmes, and government accountability. They have all warned that the country's unemployment crisis is worsening in real terms. 'Jobs give dignity and independence, but the current pace of growth is far too slow to make a dent in South Africa's unemployment crisis,' said Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. 'We cannot pat ourselves on the back for adding 0.3% more jobs when our working-age population is growing at the same rate, or faster. In realterms, we are standing still, while millions remain jobless.' Free SA argued that the Western Cape's recent rise to become the province with the second highest number of employed people, overtaking KwaZulu-Natal, shows the benefits of a more business-friendly environment. 'The Western Cape's example shows that a more business-friendly environment delivers results. Other provinces and national government must take note,' Coetzer said. The group called for reduced policy uncertainty, the removal of unnecessary regulations, reforms to restrictive labour laws, and urgent improvements to infrastructure and services. The DA's spokesperson on Employment and Labour, Michael Bagraim, said the figures show 'the ANC's economic policies are not working and are only driving more and more South Africans into misery.' He added: 'We cannot do the same thing over and over and expect a different result, which is why the DA's plan to turbocharge the economy is so important.' Bagraim said the DA's plan includes cutting bureaucracy and red tape, scrapping 'job-killing race-based legislation,' ensuring electricity security, improving local government functionality, and reducing crime to encourage investment. 'The time for talkshops is long past. The time to take action is now,' he said. FEDUSA said the high unemployment rate was 'a big setback for the country's economy and many households,' warning that it makes life harder for families, increases poverty and inequality, and slows economic growth. The union federation called for more job opportunities, stronger support for small businesses, improved skills training, and policies that encourage investment. 'With the upcoming National Dialogue, FEDUSA demands that it must produce actionable outcomes on employment creation, decent work, and wage progression, written into a national compact with timelines, deliverables, and accountability mechanisms,' the organisation said. While FEDUSA acknowledged the slight rise in the employment rate, it stressed that 'the increase in the official unemployment rate shows that job creation remains a major challenge for South Africa.' ActionSA leader in Parliament Alan Beesley said the GNU had overseen 'almost 350 000' more unemployed people so far in 2025, describing the government as 'hapless' and 'rudderless.' He accused coalition partners of being 'at odds with their coalition partner, the ANC, on virtually every element of their supposed plan to 'save' South Africa's economy.' 'Minister Meth, if not you, then who will take action?' Beesley said, referencing the Minister of Employment and Labour. He also warned that slow growth, which has not exceeded 1% under the GNU, could face further pressure from 'anticipated new US tariffs.' 'For those impacted, this is not just the absence of work but a suffocating darkness that erodes hope, dignity, and self-worth. According to the expanded definition, 12 million South Africans remain trapped in that darkness,' Beesley said.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Unemployment rate rises to 33. 2% as political parties push for urgent economic reforms
The latest data from South Africa's Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q2 2025 reveals an alarming rise in the unemployment rate, which has increased to 33.2% from 32.9% in the previous quarter. This surge, attributed to an additional 140 000 people joining the ranks of the unemployed, has sparked concerns from political parties and economic analysts alike. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been one of the loudest voices seeking accountability, with its leaders emphasising the critical need for reform. 'South Africans will continue to struggle for work if small businesses have to comply with the same regulations as massive corporations or operate against headwinds of BEE under cronyism.' The party also asserts that the pathway to reviving the economy lies in a comprehensive plan that addresses impediments faced by small businesses at all government levels. Equally concerning is the situation in Limpopo, where the unemployment rate has surged by 0.6 percentage points, from 34.4% in Q1 to 35.0% in Q2. The region's expanded unemployment rate, which accounts for discouraged job seekers, remained stagnant at 43.8%. 'The gap shows that whatever gains the national economy is making are not translating into improvements here,' said local DA officials. Build One South Africa (BOSA) has also highlighted the grim realities echoed by these statistics, noting that South Africa's unemployment rate of 42.9% remains among the highest globally. According to BOSA, there are now 12.6 million South Africans out of work, a number that includes both the unemployed and those who have lost hope in finding work. 'If every unemployed person stood in a queue, it would stretch nearly 6 300 km,' the party said. Despite these harrowing figures, there are glimpses of hope. Free SA has pointed out that the Western Cape has become the province with the second-highest number of employed individuals, surpassing KwaZulu-Natal. This success story is attributed to effective governance that fosters business growth with minimal interference. Reuben Coetzer, Free SA's spokesperson, said, 'Jobs give dignity and independence, but the current pace of growth is far too slow to make a dent in South Africa's unemployment crisis.' Furthermore, the meagre 0.3% year-on-year employment growth should not be celebrated when it fails to keep pace with population growth. 'South Africa does not have a shortage of talent or ambition, we have a shortage of opportunity. The only way to break the back of unemployment is to let enterprise lead the way. Government must stop being the problem and start being the enabler.' [email protected] Saturday Star
