Call for people-driven National Dialogue

EXPERTS: 'NOT JOB FOR RAMAPHOSA, MBEKI OR LEGACY FOUNDATIONS'

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

The National Dialogue is in the wrong hands and should not be led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, former president Thabo Mbeki or the legacy foundations, according to two experts.

Rather, they should all back off because it's time for ordinary citizens to take control and be heard.

It was time for the VIPs to take a back seat and let the people speak.

Prof Lesiba Teffo and Dr Levy Ndou say the current stayaway by seven legacy foundations and leading political parties will open space for civil society and grassroots people to take over the process.

They said the state should just provide resources, such as logistics and funding, and take a back seat to let people talk among themselves about the kind of South Africa they want.

Teffo said the country is facing so many crises because leaders across the board have failed the country.

There is poverty, landlessness, immigration chaos, crime, unemployment and no economic growth.