National Dialogue is an admission by the ANC that it has no solutions – Moeletsi Mbeki

Renowned political economist, Moeletsi Mbeki, says the National Dialogue is an admission by the ANC that it has no solutions for South Africa’s problems.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the National Dialogue initiative on 10 June 2025, saying it has been gathering great support and enthusiasm since it was proposed last year.

He promoted the dialogue as a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of South Africa and to reimagine the country’s future.

“The National Dialogue is a chance for all South Africans, from all walks of life, to come together and help shape the next chapter of our democracy,” he said.

“Through the National Dialogue, we seek a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and develop a new national ethos and common value system.”

He said it is an opportunity to forge a new social compact for the development of our country, with clear responsibilities for government, business, labour, and civil society.

“It is anticipated that the National Dialogue will drive progress towards our Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa’s National Development Plan,” he said.

However, despite Ramaphosa’s enthusiasm, the National Dialogue has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders, civil organisations, and other commentators.

Many of South Africa’s largest political parties withdrew from the National Dialogue, saying it was a waste of time and money.

Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) leader Corne Mulder said the ANC, as the largest party in the Government of National Unity (GNU), is not ready to have a solution-oriented dialogue.

He said the ANC’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, confirmed that the party will not abandon its failed economic or foreign policies.

“These failed policy directions are imposed on South Africa in the name of transformation, to the detriment of all,” he said.

“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.”

DA leader John Steenhuisen said the ANC has ignored its government of national unity (GNU) partners and treated them with disrespect and arrogance.

He added that Ramaphosa’s refusal to act against corruption within his ranks showed that his public commitment to clean governance is a sham.

“Until he replaces words with action against corruption within his ranks, the DA sees no further point in wasting our breath in endless talk shops with the ANC,” he said.

The National Dialogue is an admission by the ANC that it has no solutions

During an interview with eNCA, Moeletsi Mbeki said the National Dialogue is the ANC admitting that it has no new ideas.

“After 30 years in power, the ANC has no solutions for South Africa. Unemployment is rising and the country’s GDP per capita is declining,” he said.

“Everything has come to a standstill, and the ANC has no solution for the problems of the country.”

He said the ANC, through the National Dialogue, confirms that it has no solutions and is asking the people of the country what it should do.

Mbeki argues that the National Dialogue is not the solution. Instead, the ANC should look towards the constitution for answers.

“If the existing leaders do not have the capacity to solve the problems, they should call a new election, and the voters will decide what the solution should be,” he said.

Dr Theuns Eloff of the Afrikaner Leadership Network (ALN) argues that the ANC could misuse the dialogue to boost its chances in local government elections next year.

“It’s like the ANC says we don’t have enough money in our own coffers to run a campaign, let us use the National Dialogue for that,” he said.

He said the National Dialogue, which is set to cost R450 million, can become a well-funded election campaign for the ANC.

Eloff further warned that Ramaphosa sees the National Dialogue as his personal legacy and that it can become an ANC monologue.

Through the National Dialogue, the ANC can promote its narrow agenda, which includes transformation and other superficial things.

However, ordinary South Africans are more concerned about things that affect them, including jobs, safety, and education.