The Activist Citizens Forum (ACF) organisation has proposed that the national dialogue expected to take place later this year should be convened by an independent body.
The organisation’s spokesperson Dennis Bloem said Citizens Forum supported former president Thabo Mbeki’s proposal for having a national dialogue for the country’s sake.
Mbeki had suggested that all parties in the Government Of National Unity (GNU) to convene a national dialogue in order to resolve and discuss the problems in the country and look for solutions.
“In the past national and provincial elections, the electorate clearly indicated that they don’t have any trust in any of the existing political parties. That is why no one was given a clear mandate to govern the country.
“We are in a state of disaster. The country is in serious trouble, politically and economically. There is a need for urgent intervention. Otherwise, all of us will go down with the sinking ship. It is only the people who are sitting with the answers and not the politicians.
“Whilst we embrace the proposal of a national dialogue, ACF will not agree that the government must be the convenor of such an important national dialogue, and we will reject it.
“We believe that the convenor of the national dialogue must be totally independent with no direct political link. From the onset, the people of the country must have faith and belief in the process,” Bloem said.
Citizens Forum said independent community organisations such as Gift of the Givers, faith-based and civil society organisation, should take the lead in the planned national dialogue.
“We expect that the planned national dialogue will be our CODESA 2, which will produce real freedom and economic freedom for all the citizens of the country.”
In August 2023, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as leader of Government Business, convened a National Dialogue on Coalition Governments.
The aim of the dialogue was to lay the foundation for a National Framework on Coalition Governments, which would serve as a guide for effectively managing and navigating coalition governments where they become necessary.
The Presidency said at the time that the need for such dialogue was informed by the adverse effects that had been observed in certain coalition arrangements at local government, particularly their impact on service delivery and governance.
South Africa is no stranger to coalitions having had one after the historic 1994 elections which resulted in a GNU.
In terms of the country’s then interim Constitution, the National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party participated in a GNU under president Nelson Mandela.
In 1994, Mandela was assisted by two deputy presidents, a Minister in the Presidency and 16 ministers in the GNU which represented three political parties. In 1996, one political party exited the GNU, but maintained its official opposition status in the legislatures.
Speaking at the Electoral Commission’ of SA’s election results ceremony at the Results Operation Centre in Midrand earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that by going to vote, the people of South Africa had taken responsibility not only for the future of themselves and their families, but for the future of their country.
“Through their votes they have demonstrated, clearly and plainly, that our democracy is strong, it is robust and it endures. Our people have spoken. As the leaders of political parties, as all those who occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes,” Ramaphosa said at the time.
The Star