Helen Zille: ‘You Can’t Command a Conversation’

DA rejects ANC-led National Dialogue, calling it a monologue masquerading as inclusivity

The fragile threads holding South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) together are fraying faster than expected. And at the centre of the storm is the National Dialogue, a Ramaphosa-led initiative meant to bring consensus across political divides, but which the Democratic Alliance (DA) says is nothing more than a political stunt.

“You can’t instruct people to dialogue,” said Helen Zille, DA federal council chairperson, in a blunt rebuke. “Especially when the ANC is clearly planning a monologue.” Her remarks came as the party confirmed it would boycott the process, deepening the rift between coalition partners.

GNU Starts to Crack

The National Dialogue was supposed to be a cornerstone of unity. Instead, it’s becoming a lightning rod for division.

The DA’s decision to withdraw from the process stems from a spat over Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield’s removal, which they claim was unilateral and politically motivated. The DA issued an ultimatum to President Ramaphosa over the move. He ignored it.

In retaliation, DA leader and new Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, pulled the party out of the dialogue process. But the Presidency has reminded Steenhuisen that, as a minister, he has obligations beyond party politics.

“His refusal will be regarded as insubordination,” warned Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

A Clash of Letters and Loyalties

Things got personal quickly. Former President Thabo Mbeki entered the fray, calling the DA’s decision “misplaced and strange.” Steenhuisen responded by accusing the ANC of protecting ministers “guilty of moral and ethical transgressions” far worse than Whitfield’s alleged indiscretion, an unauthorised overseas trip.

“Let’s be honest,” Steenhuisen wrote, “this is not a dialogue. It’s a Band-Aid for a party bleeding votes.”

Dialogue or Political Theatre?

The first National Dialogue convention is set for mid-August, and with it, questions about legitimacy and participation.

The DA insists the event is stacked in favour of ANC-aligned foundations and serves no meaningful democratic purpose. “You can’t build trust with political window dressing,” said Zille, suggesting that the ANC’s overtures for dialogue are merely “crisis PR” in disguise.

Zille’s criticism echoes growing discomfort across parts of the political spectrum about who gets to define the narrative in South Africa’s post-election reality.

Public Reaction: Dialogue or Distraction?

On social media, South Africans seem split. Some praise the DA for holding its ground, saying the GNU is being used to steamroll minority voices. Others accuse the DA of “self-sabotage” and call on Steenhuisen to “grow up and govern”.

Political analysts warn that continued boycotts could weaken the GNU’s cohesion, especially with rising economic pressure and service delivery failures demanding urgent attention.

The Presidency appears unwilling to tolerate internal rebellion. Ramaphosa is reportedly watching the DA’s moves closely, and the ANC is unlikely to back down from hosting the Dialogue, with or without DA participation.

But as Zille put it, “A real dialogue must be voluntary, equal, and inclusive. Not a scripted performance.”

With the National Dialogue shaping up to be more showdown than solution, the question isn’t just about policy. It’s about power and who truly holds it in South Africa’s complex coalition era.

{Source: The Citizen}

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