Dialogue credibility at stake

In the run-up to the election that ushered in democracy in 1994, there were quite a number of bilateral talks that took place, not only between representatives of the then-banned ANC and the government at the time, but also between figures like Harry Schwarz of the liberal United Party and Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leader of the homeland of KwaZulu-Natal.

- Sydney Majoko

These faith-based talks resulted in what came to be known as the Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith.

This was in 1974, about 20 years before democracy.

There were also talks between private sector businesspeople and the liberation movements outside of the country and even secret talks between jailed Nelson Mandela and National Intelligence Service leader Neil Barnard.

Some of those talks led to absolutely nothing, but others led to the establishment of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa.

All the talks that preceded that moment were necessary, even the ones that led to nothing.