The re-election of Cyril Ramaphosa as President sets South Africa waiting for the announcement of a national unity government. The focus is gradually falling on the need for the organization of a national dialogue. This was first called for by former President Thabo Mbeki and repeated by some foundations more recently. If anything, national unity concerns have been heightened by the recent elections that returned an even more fragmented political scene.
Emphasizing that record levels of abstention, voters attracted to identity politics, and increases in xenophobia underline the need for a national, shared dialogue, Lindiwe Gadd asserts that there could not be a more opportune time for such an initiative to come about. “Of course, this will come in very vital at this time in our history when we have an age-old record of dialogue in the country, most especially during transition times.
It remains uncertain that a political transition is under way, with the national unity government not announced a full week after the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa last Saturday—a clear indication of behind-the-scenes tensions. According to Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, “We need to mobilize people to ensure they feel involved in shaping a common future for our country. Our prime objective is also to build national cohesion.”
This initiative has been supported by President Cyril Ramaphosa but has also been criticized by those who raise questions about the legitimacy of the organisers or who feel that national introspection is not needed, especially for a ruling party that has lost its majority after 30 years.
These gaps are bridged through dialogue by these foundations for a unified national vision to address critical issues that afflicted South Africa then.