Can the National Dialogue Deliver Real Change When Government Still Isn’t Listening?

18 August 2025 | 13:52 CAT
2-minute read

As South Africa embarks on a “soul-searching” National Dialogue, aimed at confronting deep-rooted issues like poverty, inequality, crime, and corruption, glaring cracks within the Government of National Unity (GNU) threaten to render the process symbolic rather than transformative.

Award-winning journalist Qaanitah Hunter, who covered the two-day convention in Pretoria, captured the prevailing sense of disillusionment among citizens. She argued that the president must first mend the fractures within his own executive before calling the nation to dialogue.

Hunter warned that “the elephant in the room is that you have a dysfunctional government almost by design,” noting that many ministers and coalition parties haven’t been aligned around a shared vision.

The National Dialogue, launched in mid-August, followed the ANC’s historic loss of its parliamentary majority in 2024 and the subsequent formation of a multiparty GNU. The initiative—aiming to engage 10 million South Africans via ward-based forums and online platforms ahead of mid-2026—is commendable but faces scepticism over its R740-million budget and real impact.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s official opposition and GNU partner, withdrew from the dialogue, labelling it an expensive “talk shop” and accusing the ANC of shielding corrupt officials. Freedom Front Plus followed suit, similarly rejecting the lack of genuine engagement.

Hunter’s reporting painted a scene of palpable frustration. Civil society, faith-based organisations, GBV movement activists—even Rastafarian representatives—entered the convention lamenting government’s absence of credibility. Many insisted government should not dictate the future of the process, calling for a truly people-led dialogue.

Hunter drew a stark parallel, saying South Africans essentially hold national dialogues every two-and-a-half years through elections and manifestos. The risk now is outsourcing governance failures to a grand public process without fixing internal dysfunction.

Despite noble designs, the dialogue may become a beloved diversion—dreaming of connection across provinces, but ignoring urgent issues like persistent violence, joblessness, and institutional decay.

Many NGOs and activists have been speaking for years, with no meaningful government response. Hunter stressed the conflict-clearing structures within the GNU—like the Deputy President’s Clearing House—haven’t even convened this year. Without them, promises risk dying on paper.

She pointed out the glaring contrast between past landmark processes, such as the NDP or the 2018 GBV summit, and their poor results. Even when women protested by stripping in frustration, femicide has risen since then.

Her balanced hope: perhaps citizens’ enthusiasm can still spark change—but not if it becomes a deferral tactic, letting real issues languish under the guise of dialogue.

Listen to the Debrief Report with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.