The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) will not participate in the ANC’s planned National Dialogue scheduled for Friday, 15 August 2025.
The VF Plus believes that dialogue is crucial. South Africa desperately needs meaningful, reasoned and solution-oriented dialogue – and the Freedom Front Plus will gladly participate in such a dialogue.
Unfortunately, it has become abundantly clear that the ANC, as the largest party in the Government of National Unity (GNU), is not ready to have a genuine, reasoned and solution-oriented dialogue.
Last week, on instruction of his National Executive Committee (NEC), the ANC’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, confirmed that the party will not abandon its failed economic or foreign policies. These failed policy directions are imposed on South Africa in the name of transformation, to the detriment of all.
A political party with such a mindset and approach cannot act as a credible facilitator for the Presidency or a participant in a national dialogue.
The results of the 2024 general elections clearly indicate that voters have lost confidence in the ANC and are no longer willing to trust the ANC to govern alone.
This provided the ANC with a golden opportunity to prove itself by engaging in meaningful discussions with all South African stakeholders. It was an opportunity for the ANC to show all South Africans that it has learnt from its mistakes and acknowledge that its policy directions are outdated.
The root causes of South Africa’s economic decline are no secret: Failed ANC policies such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), expropriation without compensation and other race-based legislation, coupled with corruption and cadre deployment, have destroyed state institutions and municipalities.
In addition, the ANC’s ideologically driven foreign policy, executed on behalf of all South Africans, has resulted in South Africa’s isolation and the implementation of 30% trade tariffs by the United States.
Truth be told, it may be time to conduct an honest national dialogue involving all those who are serious about progress and have South Africa’s best interests at heart – without the ANC. Investor confidence can only be restored through a realistic free-market policy promoting job creation and sustainable growth.
As long as the ANC maintains its uncompromising policy positions, it has no place in such a conversation.
The VF Plus invites other parties in the GNU to collaborate on finding practical solutions that prioritise South Africa’s interests.
The party will continue to fight for a country where merit and opportunities, not outdated ideologies and political agendas, set the tone.
The VF Plus has instructed its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Pieter de Necker, to attend the National Dialogue as an observer.
FF+ Manifesto on International cooperation: Engaging in international cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
Berry Succubus
Fun South African Fact: The meandering 850km road through Cape Winelands is the world’s longest wine route.
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Bunny Chow. This is a traditional South African Indian dish and usually consists of curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white bread. It’s best when the bread is soft and fresh and the curry is extra spicy.