Ramaphosa hopes after GNU retreat, parties that withdrew from National Dialogue will return

President Cyril Ramaphosa is hoping after the two-day retreat of political leaders of the Government of National Unity (GNU), parties that withdrew from the National Dialogue in August will, in time, return.

Ramaphosa said despite predictions that the GNU might have collapsed by now, it’s united and strong.

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He said following the latest talks, the GNU is now focused on urgency and action.

With Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana expected to deliver his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement next week, he’s briefed the GNU partners about the state of the economy during their retreat.

While some predicted the budget bungle arlier in 2024 may have collapsed the GNU, Ramaphosa said it is here to stay.

“The GNU is going to find more and more ways of working together, strengthening our partnership, focussing on our priorities which are economic growth and job creation.”

Following renewed talks, Ramaphosa is also hoping partners like the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front (FF) Plus, which withdrew from the National Dialogue, will have a change of heart.

“The National Dialogue process is moving on. Many organisations around the country want to own it, and they want to make it a people-centred type of dialogue.”

Ramaphosa said political parties are committed to strengthening their partnership to address poverty and lower the cost of living.

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