President Cyril Ramaphosa has slammed those who boycotted the first National Dialogue convention, saying true dialogue is about “bringing people together, getting people to speak together – not to speak to each other.”

Ramaphosa made the remarks during the launch of the inaugural National Convention of the controversial National Dialogue, which began on Thursday at UNISA in Pretoria.

This comes despite the withdrawal of several key figures and organisations, including former president Thabo Mbeki, a number of legacy foundations, Government of National Unity (GNU) partners, and civil society groups.

Prominent organisations such as the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation pulled out of the process, citing concerns over its implementation and rushed timelines.

Political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) also withdrew, accusing the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of using the platform to polish its image ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Addressing delegates at UNISA’s ZK Matthews Hall, Ramaphosa took a pointed jab at those who chose not to participate.

“We are sons and daughters of the soil, of the ground – this is where we come from,” he said.

“We share a common past, but we also share a common destiny. We share the same inheritance of division, of inequality, of pain, and of injustice.”

“We share the same pride at ending the crime of apartheid and establishing a constitutional democracy. We also share a common future – a future that binds us together.”

Ramaphosa said those gathered at the event did so voluntarily, united by their belief in dialogue and collective action.

“Each one of us, regardless of our differences, is committed to working together to build this future – a future that we all dream of.”

He stressed that dialogue is not new to South Africa, recalling the country’s history of negotiating through difficult times.

“We have always used dialogue to solve the most intractable problems that have confronted our country. And yes, there have been times when some refused to participate,” he said.

He shared a story involving Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) leader Mzwanele Nyontsho – who now serves in Ramaphosa’s cabinet as Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development – to illustrate how perspectives can shift.

“”Nyontsho)” said to me, ‘We as the PAC have historically refused to participate in various dialogues. We were not there in Kliptown where the Freedom Charter was drafted. We were not there when violence was being addressed, nor during the drafting of the Constitution.’ He told me they felt their voices were not heard,” Ramaphosa said.

“But this time, he said, ‘Haibo, we are going to participate.’”

Ramaphosa said he hoped those who chose to remain outside the current dialogue would eventually reconsider.

“We grant them that freedom, but we hope that one day, like the PAC, they will realise that they should be part of the dialogue – because dialogue is about bringing people together. It is about speaking together, not at each other, or away from each other.”

He added: “We believe that if we share our concerns and our fears, we can conquer them. If we understand the challenges we face, we can overcome them. If we know what hurts us, we can heal. If we know what divides us, we can unite.”

Ramaphosa stressed the importance of having honest and difficult conversations, asking:

“Why do South African women have to live in fear of men? Why do so many people live in abject poverty while so few live lives of opulence? Why, after decades of democracy, are the prospects for a white child still so much better than for a black child?”

“Why do women earn less than men for the same work? Why, when we have a Bill of Rights, are LGBTQI+ people still discriminated against, stigmatised, and harassed? Why do clinics run out of medicine? Why do taps run dry?”

He said these were the questions that needed to be asked and answered.

“But more than that,” he added, “these are the challenges we must be ready to act on – as individuals, as organisations, as communities, as parents, as elected representatives, and as public officials.”

Responding to claims that Mbeki declined an invitation to the dialogue and that some foundations plan to hold their own processes, Ramaphosa reiterated the importance of unity.

“We need to be inside the tent, not outside it. And we need one tent – not multiple tents where other conversations take place.”

Ramaphosa said that the National Dialogue is a call to action, not a platform for spectators.

“This cannot be done while others are sitting on the sidelines and criticising.”

Members of the Eminent Persons Group were also present at the event.

The ANC delegation included secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa, political education head David Makhura, and Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza was also in attendance.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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