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Ramaphosa: National Dialogue South Africa 2025 Moves Ahead

Published

2 months ago

August 15, 2025

Chiraag

Cyril Ramaphosa, National Dialogue South Africa, Thabo Mbeki Foundation withdrawal, Pretoria Convention 2025, civil society participation, Joburg ETC

The People’s Conversation Takes Priority

President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear that South Africa’s National Dialogue will proceed, regardless of certain legacy foundations stepping back. Speaking from the Union Buildings on 14 August 2025 via spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa rejected the idea that high-profile withdrawals could disrupt a process meant for all citizens.

Magwenya clarified that the Pretoria gathering on 15 and 16 August is not the full dialogue but the National Convention, a platform to shape the agenda for a nine-month, nationwide discussion. He stressed that this dialogue belongs to South Africans, and avoiding it means ignoring the people themselves.

Foundations Withdraw, But the Dialogue Persists

Last week, several private and legacy foundations, including those linked to Thabo Mbeki, Desmond and Leah Tutu, Steve Biko, Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo, WDB, and the Strategic Dialogue Group, announced their withdrawal. Their concern was that the process appeared less citizen-driven and more government-controlled.

Magwenya responded by noting that these groups do not formally represent constituencies. With nearly 1,000 confirmed delegates from business, labour, civil society, and communities, the convention remains broadly inclusive. South Africa’s future is bigger than any single organisation.

Political Reactions and the Path Forward

The foundation withdrawals were followed by political exits. The DA and Freedom Front Plus, both part of the Government of National Unity, accused the ANC of using the dialogue for pre-election publicity. ActionSA raised concerns about funding transparency, sending only two MPs as observers. Groups like AfriForum and Solidarity also opted out.

Yet for many South Africans, this dialogue offers a rare opportunity: a structured national discussion on shared challenges. Whether seen as a genuine effort or a staged event, the process continues, amplifying voices from homes, workplaces, and communities across the country.