National Dialogue: We need to look at the unfinished business of SA - Roelf Meyer

702's John Perlman is joined by Roelf Meyer on Afternoon Drive.

The launch of South Africa's National Dialogue has sparked huge debate in the country, with critics saying it's likely to be just another time- and money-wasting talk shop.

RELATED:

Will cutting red tape for small businesses be part of National Dialogue, asks Public Interest SA

National Dialogue is a waste of money; we know the issues – Project Youth SA

Meeting with members of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) last Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa asked these figures selected to drive the Dialogue, to be critical in their work.

The EPG includes In Transformation Initiative director and former politician Roelf Meyer, who negotiated alongside Ramaphosa in the 90s during the Codesa talks which defined our democracy.

When the now-President announced the Dialogue, he highlighted how South Africans have always looked to dialogue to resolve problems.

While the current situation is of course very different, John Perlman wonders whether he was harkening back to the days of Codesa.

Meyer outlines the aims then, compared to the aims of the current National Dialogue.

"In the early 1990s when we started the process of talks and later on dialogue and negotiations, it was about finding a way forward and ending apartheid - making that specifically what the dialogue was about at that stage. Of course it ended up in a new Constitution that was arrived at by the end of 1996."

Roelf Meyer, Member - Eminent Persons Group

Under the current circumstances, what we perhaps need to do and what it is about, says Meyer, is to look at the unfinished business of where we find ourselves.in South Africa.

"In other words, 30 years later, we have to ask the question: Did we succeed in fulfilling the aspirations as they were set out in the Constitution?"

Roelf Meyer, Member - Eminent Persons Group

"I have a feeling most South Africans would say 'no, we didn't' and this Dialogue is probably about that question."

Roelf Meyer, Member - Eminent Persons Group

One common thread Meyer picks up between the two, is that Codesa afforded people the opportunity to speak out, which he says the current Dialogue will also do.

"The point is this: You and I have voices; we can speak and be listened to, but the average person in the street doesn't have that opportunity... and I think it's about time that opportunity is given."

Roelf Meyer, Member - Eminent Persons Group

"In the 90s there were these opportunities where South Africans spoke out about what they want from the new Constitution - we went out to meet people and we had submissions from all corners of the country."

Roelf Meyer, Member - Eminent Persons Group

While South Africa has made progress in particular areas like electricity, there are still many problems we face that have not been sufficiently addressed, says Meyer.

He highlights the big three that have been identified and affect probably the majority of citizens- inequality, unemployment and job creation.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview with Roelf Meyer