Cape Town – Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency and the potential cost of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed National Dialogue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced the eminent persons group leading the dialogue, which is set for August 15, with a second phase in 2026.
The dialogue is meant to address South Africa’s socio-political challenges, but reports that it may cost over R700 million have sparked public outcry.
Unions and political parties, including Cosatu, Rise Mzansi, and ActionSA, have called for accountability, questioning the massive estimated cost and the absence of clear planning or parliamentary briefing.
“We can talk about figures like R10 million or R20 million, but R700 million is just ridiculous.
“Government can find ways of ensuring this is done in a manner that is more affordable. We just objected to a VAT hike, it would not make sense for us to agree to this,” The Citizen quoted Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) spokesperson Matthew Parks as saying.
IOL reported last week that a draft budget of over R700 million for the National Dialogue had sparked public backlash, with critics fearing it may become another costly but ineffective government talk shop.
“The National Dialogue will seek to build on the achievements of 30 years of democracy.
I hereby announce that we will hold a National Dialoguenext year to enable a conversation among citizens onshaping our country’s future developmental path.
The National Dialogue will seek to build on the achievements of 30 years of democracy.
The National Dialogue will give… pic.twitter.com/KdNoUIkuke
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 16, 2024
“The National Dialogue will give us an opportunity to address the challenges we have been facing for the past 15 years of low growth and unemployment, poverty and hunger, poor governance, slow land reform and corruption,” Ramaphosa said.
The report said that Mduduzi Mbada, head of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s office, confirmed the proposed budget, noting it includes costs across provinces and municipalities.
He said that the government, which will be the official fiscal custodian of the process, has not yet formulated any budget.
“There isn’t a budget, there isn’t a number or a cost that the government has committed to. All we have is what has been communicated as a proposal that the foundations have put forward. Now the foundations are not going to be the fiscal custodians of this process,” Magwenya said.
Despite budget concerns, many still view the dialogue as a potentially important and noble initiative—provided it is people-driven, transparent, and effective.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
