Ramaphosa's dialogue slated as elitist talk shop

Critics already branding the initiative as out of touch

- SIFISO MAHLANGU

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the launch of a National Convention set for August 15, marking the formal start of a sweeping “National Dialogue” process aimed at forging anew social compact and redefining what it means to be South African.

The president claims the dialogue will develop a national ethos and shared value system to unify a divided country, plagued by economic inequality, high crime, unemployment, and political instability.

But critics are already branding the initiative as out of touch, elitist, and likely to result in little more than symbolic gestures.

Ramaphosa has appointed a group of “Eminent Persons” to oversee the process, including former IEC chair Dr Brigalia Bam, Justice Edwin Cameron, Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi, and humanitarian Dr Imtiaz Sooliman of Gift of the Givers.

While the group brings gravitas, analysts argue it lacks meaningful representation of ordinary South Africans.

Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela from the University of KwaZulu-Natal noted that many in the group are long-time associates of Ramaphosa, including former negotiator Roelf Meyer, raising concerns that the process will serve the president's political image more than the public interest.