South Africa’s national dialogue: Why business cannot sit on the sidelines

WHEN President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a National Dialogue on Poverty, Inequality, and Crime earlier this month, it was billed as nothing less than a reset of our democratic project. Forty million rand has been allocated to convene stakeholders from across society to address the country’s systemic failures—from unemployment to corruption to the breakdown of public services.

- DR NIK EBERL

Yet, the reception has been mixed. Two major opposition parties have boycotted the process, calling it political theatre. Civil society voices have questioned whether the dialogue will lead to action or simply more words. Business, for its part, has been largely muted—watching from the sidelines, waiting to see what comes of it.

That silence is a mistake.

Why This Dialogue Matters to Business

South Africa's economic health is inseparable from its social stability. Investors, shareholders, and workers all know this: no company can thrive in an environment of rolling blackouts, water shortages, rising violent crime, and record-high unemployment.

Mi The economic costs are staggering: crime alone wipes tens of billions off GDP annually.

@ Johannesburg's water crisis threatens operations and supply chains.

W US tariffs on exports and sluggish local demand squeeze margins further.

The dialogue is not just a political process; it is a business-critical platform. If it succeeds in charting a path to reform, business gains a more stable environment for growth. If it fails, the private sector will face even deeper instability, reputational risks, and investor flight.

What Business Should Bring to the Table

Business cannot afford to be a passive observer. The private sector has a unique vantage point and responsibility in making the dialogue credible. Here are four imperatives:

1 Move Beyond Lobbying to Leadership