National dialogue will be an important forum to set out mandate & term of GNU - political analyst
The national dialogue was originally set for 16 December and no reason was given for its postponement.
Ministers and deputy ministers of the Government of National Unity pose after being sworn in at the CTICC in Cape Town on 3 July 2024. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
CAPE TOWN - As a new date is awaited for the Government of National Unity to host its national dialogue, one political analyst said it would be an important forum to set out the mandate and term of the coalition partners.
Associate professor of political studies at the University of Cape Town, Zwelethu Jolobe, said that while it's still unclear exactly what will be discussed, the dialogue should reach a broad consensus on policies, dispute resolution and how the parties will co-govern.
The national dialogue was originally set for 16 December and no reason was given for its postponement.
Speaking at the African National Congress (ANC)'s anniversary events in Cape Town over the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa re-committed to a national dialogue after initially floating the concept in his inaugural address last year.
Ramaphosa said the dialogue would be used to discuss and find solutions to issues of economic exclusion, social inequality and societal marginalisation.
Jolobe said that involving the electorate in these talks should be an important feature.
"All you've had is conversations between leaders of the parties. And you haven’t had the kind of nationwide consensus among the affected parties, as to what do those party members feel about the GNU."
He added that in the run-up to next year’s local government elections, it would be important to decide whether this arrangement would extend beyond the national level.
Jolobe predicts the unlikelihood of subsequent elections producing a ruling party and said this dialogue could lay the groundwork for future political marriages.