National dialogue set for December, Mashatile confirms

The dialogue is aimed at addressing the nation's most pressing socio-political issues.

Mashatile confirmed the date during the second meeting of the government of national unity’s clearing house forum. 

The meeting was attended by leaders of the ten political parties in the GNU and is meant to iron out any differences between the parties. 

"There will be a special cabinet meeting next week to deal with the issue of the national dialogue, the cabinet agreed yesterday (Wednesday),” Mashatile said. 

“The reason why we will have a special meeting is because of the timeframes in terms of the proposals. The first sitting of the national dialogue will be on the 16 of December, which will be the inaugural meeting, so we felt the sooner the cabinet discusses the matter, the better," said Mashatile.

"But the real dialogue is proposed for next year.”

The GNU’s signatories include the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, and Rise Mzansi. 

The leaders also discussed the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, the upcoming G20 Leaders Summit, and other key issues.

The BELA Act, signed into law last month, has faced strong opposition from the DA, which boycotted the signing ceremony at the Union Buildings.

Mashatile said it was mainly clauses 4 and 5, dealing with schools’ admission and language policies, that needed the attention of the clearing house mechanism.

The upcoming G20 Summit was also a subject of discussion. 

South Africa is expected to take over the presidency of the G20 from December 1 this year, with the summit set for November 2025.

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