DA slams National Dialogue as ‘costly talk shop’ amid legacy foundation withdrawals
DA leader John Steenhuisen says the party has real solutions to fix South Africa’s economy, and is offering them to the ANC free of charge.
Steenhuisen says this will allow the government to rather spend taxpayers’ money on services instead of the National Dialogue.
The dialogue has faced mounting criticism after several legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko, FW de Klerk, Albert Luthuli, and Thabo Mbeki foundations, withdrew, citing a lack of budget and insufficient preparation time.
They also pointed to the “erosion of citizen leadership”, the “loss of a meaningful platform”, and the absence of a “clear rollout plan”.
“The DA announced our withdrawal from the National Dialogue weeks back. It is an illegitimate initiative that lacks credibility,” Steenhuisen said on Monday.
“Even former president Mbeki has now come to the same conclusion as the DA. We reject that wasteful distraction,” Steenhuisen said.
He accused the ANC of spending money on empty discussions while millions of South Africans face worsening hardship.
“Unemployment has climbed from 22% to nearly 33%. Add discouraged job seekers, and the real unemployment rate is over 43%.
“And while the country bleeds, the ANC is going to spend R700 million on a National Dialogue, a talk shop with no action, no reform, no plan, and, by the looks of things, dwindling support with the announcement of further withdrawals from major foundations in South Africa.”
Steenhuisen said the DA’s economic plan tackles the country’s main roadblocks, BBBEE, the Employment Equity Act, and the Expropriation Act,and replaces them with fair, inclusive alternatives.
“Our buildings are crumbling. Our roads are decaying. Our taps are dry. The people of Johannesburg, and South Africa, are suffering.
“Residents of the city, you know exactly what I am talking about. Why? Because of years of economic mismanagement, corruption, and outdated policies that have enriched the few and excluded the many.
“And yet, out of this decay must rise a new path, one that restores growth, delivers jobs, and gives every South African a fair shot. That’s why the Democratic Alliance is here today, to launch our plan to turbocharge South Africa’s economy.
“We need to remove the roadblocks to growth and build a superhighway to growth and prosperity.”
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