Civil rights group AfriForum has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of reducing the National Dialogue to an “ANC monologue,” alleging the initiative has been hijacked to serve the ruling party’s interests rather than address South Africa’s pressing challenges.
The organization claims the dialogue—intended as a broad-based platform to tackle economic decline, rising crime, and political instability—has excluded opposition parties, civil society groups, and independent perspectives. “What was supposed to be a national conversation has become an ANC echo chamber,” said AfriForum spokesperson Ernst Roets.
AfriForum alleges key issues like corruption, failing state-owned enterprises, and service delivery collapses have been sidelined, accusing Ramaphosa of using the dialogue to polish his administration’s image rather than confront systemic problems.
The Presidency has rejected these claims, maintaining the process remains inclusive. But opposition parties, including the DA and IFP, share AfriForum’s concerns, arguing that meaningful solutions require diverse participation.
Political analysts warn the controversy could erode public trust in the dialogue’s outcomes. “When stakeholders feel unheard, the results lose credibility,” noted analyst Mcebo Dlamini.
AfriForum has pledged to keep challenging the process, cautioning that without real inclusivity, the dialogue risks becoming “a staged performance with no benefit to citizens.”