The potential outcomes of the National Dialogue should be measured against participation in the National Convention, with the ultimate test being whether action will be taken to address problems.
Although President Cyril Ramaphosa stated during question time in Parliament today that all South Africans were represented at the National Convention, he knows it was not the case.
From the outset, the Dialogue elicited valid criticism from various sources. Political parties representing the majority of votes in Parliament, including the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) and the DA, well-known foundations, civil organisations and even trade unions, did not participate.
In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, the core issue with the National Dialogue is that the ANC clearly maintained that it will not abandon its policy directions, which include Affirmative Action (AA), Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and expropriation without compensation.
These are the root causes of the country’s problems and seeking remedies for their consequences – such as unemployment, corruption and the decay of municipalities – would merely be superficial.
The majority of South Africans did not attend the Convention for these very reasons. The President knows this all too well, and so do the people of South Africa.
As far as the Freedom Front Plus is aware, no decisions have been taken regarding the thirteen outcomes-focused areas identified at the Convention.
This already gives an indication of the direction in which the National Dialogue is heading.
Discussing and identifying South Africa’s problems will do nothing to solve them. Everyone already knew exactly what the country’s problems were before the Dialogue – the biggest being the ANC.
So, expecting the public to compile a list of issues, such as taps running dry and power outages, is misguided.
According to President Ramaphosa, a “representative committee” will now take the matter further. This was a predictable outcome. It is like kicking a can further down the road without taking any concrete action.
Still, the Freedom Front Plus would like the President to indicate whether the ANC would be willing to amend policies or accept new policies regarding the economy if the outcomes of the National Dialogue were to require it.
After all, it is the only way so save South Africa. The ANC has already stated that it is not open to the idea, though.
FF+ Manifesto on Foreign policy: Promoting a foreign policy that serves South Africa’s interests.
Super Flick
Biltong – seasoned strips of dried meat. Similar to beef jerky (but much tastier!), this is the spicy, cured snack eaten at rugby matches. It is usually made from beef, game and even ostrich.
Sick Saurus
Could you perhaps tell me which political party is the ruling party in South Africa?