Chaotic start to National Dialogue as delegates criticise government

JOHANNESBURG - It's been a chaotic first leg of the National Dialogue, with some delegates at its precursor event, the national convention taking government to task over the state of the country.

On Friday, the convention kicked off at UNISA’s main campus in Pretoria.

Representatives from civil society, NGOs and other sectoral groups met to finalise the modalities of the engagements, which will take place over the next nine months, across the country.

READ: Government to utilise own facilities for National Dialogue to cut costs

The National Dialogue got off to an uncomfortable start with one of the attendees fainting and requiring medical assistance.

At one point,  a man wandered onto the stage and started arguing with a panel member before he was ushered away by security.

Some delegates were unhappy with not being given platforms to address the government officials in attendance.

“We are foot soldiers, we know what’s happening on the ground, and if you say it’s a national dialogue for us, you can’t shut us down. It’s sad that you’re here because the 2026 elections are coming and you're trying to buy our silence.”

Another delegate accused the government of failing to uphold its commitments, stating: “The government has not kept its commitment, they are liars; they want you to go out so that we cannot address you on the crimes of the government, government is.”

Organisers of the National Dialogue said they are aiming to engage at least ten million South Africans by the end of the process.