Is Dialogue a Futile Exercise?

What do you think President Cyril Ramaphosa and colleagues mean when they talk about "our people"? Do you feel included? Many don't.

- Martin Williams

There is reason for skepticism over Ramaphosa's plans for an inclusive national dialogue. His approach throughout his presidency has not been inclusive.

"Our people" usually means ANC.

Inclusivity is not evident in the list of "eminent persons" whom he has named to guide "a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future".

People-led? Yet he chooses the leaders of the process. One example is Roelf Meyer, Ramaphosa's supposed adversary in the Codesa talks which preceded this country's first democratic elections.

Meyer may have taught Ramaphosa fly-fishing, but the National Party minister fell hook, line and sinker for ANC tricks.

His capitulation was so complete that the ANC in Soweto nominated Comrade Roelf for its parliamentary list in 1994.

Meyer declined but in 2004, he voted ANC and joined that party in 2006.