Mbeki rebukes DA for withdrawing from National Dialogue

In a detailed, point-by-point letter sent from Sri Lanka, Mbeki took strong exception to the DA’s decision to boycott the citizen-led initiative, which is scheduled to begin in August.

"I consider the decision of the DA not to participate in the National Dialogue as both misplaced and very strange indeed," Mbeki wrote.

The DA’s withdrawal follows the dismissal of Andrew Whitfield, a DA member who had served as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Steenhuisen publicly criticised Whitfield’s removal by President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling it excessive and inconsistent, especially when other ANC ministers implicated in wrongdoing remain in office.

Steenhuisen went further, accusing Ramaphosa of misusing the National Dialogue as a covert ANC campaign ahead of next year’s local government elections.

"The DA will have no further part in this process. We will also actively mobilise against it," Steenhuisen announced on Saturday.

In an interview, DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille echoed that sentiment, describing the initiative as "just a cover for the ANC’s 2026 election campaign”.

Mbeki firmly rejected claims that the National Dialogue is ANC-run or politically motivated.

He clarified that the idea for the Dialogue was initially proposed during his public address at Freedom Park on 30 April 2024, marking 30 years of democracy.

The initiative, he explained, has since been handed over to a broad coalition of national foundations and civil society organisations, operating under a Preparatory Task Team (PTT).

"The National Dialogue will be a true 'Parliament of the People', controlled by the people themselves. This will be the very first time in our country that the people will engage one another in a detailed and comprehensive conversation in exercise of their right to self-determination."

Mbeki dismissed Zille’s claim that the absence of the DA would render the Dialogue a "sham," calling it an insult to ordinary South Africans and a reflection of "arrogant and contemptuous" attitudes.

According to Mbeki, the National Dialogue is being organised by more than 50 organisations under the guidance of the PTT, including the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Steve Biko Foundation, and others.

The Dialogue is designed to bring together constituencies from youth and labour, to faith groups, political parties, traditional leaders, and the creative arts, with each group responsible for choosing its own delegates.

While President Ramaphosa will open the convention in his constitutional capacity as Head of State, Mbeki stressed he will not play an executive role. Instead, the Dialogue will elect its own Steering Committee to guide the process independently.

Mbeki suggested that the DA could have raised its concerns from within the process rather than withdrawing and reiterated that the dialogue addresses the country's deepening social and political crisis, not party politics.

"The people will strive to answer in detail the strategic questions: What is the South Africa we want? And what is the South Africa we do not want?"

Drawing from historical parallels, Mbeki accused the DA of behaving as though the people had "forfeited its confidence."

"Would it not be easier in that case for the DA to dissolve the people and elect another?"

Mbeki concluded the letter with an assurance that the National Dialogue will proceed as planned next month in Johannesburg, with or without the DA.

"I have no doubt that the DA acts against its own direct interests when it decides to isolate itself from this sovereign authority.

"The ancients were not mistaken when they said: Vox Populi, vox Dei – The voice of the people is the voice of God."

ALSO READ