COSATU welcomes National Dialogue steering committee

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) on Friday welcomed the appointment of the National Dialogue steering committee, which is responsible for setting priorities and driving the implementation of the National Dialogue process across the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa named the 99-member panel on Thursday, including representatives from the government, political parties elected to Parliament, organised labour, business, and civil society.

It’s part of efforts to address deep-seated socio-economic challenges.

COSATU's parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks, said the appointment of the steering committee is important to keep the dialogue moving.

“Attention must be paid to the still painful legacies of apartheid and colonial-induced inequalities, as well as the explosion of hate speech and racial incitement on social media and its effect on our social fabric and collective efforts to build a non-racial and non-sexist society as envisaged by the Freedom Charter, a nation that belongs to all who live in it, black and white.”

He said the union federation was cautiously optimistic about the process, with questions still lingering about the impact of the National Dialogue.

“Whilst the Presidency is correct to push forward with the National Dialogue, government will do well to hear the scepticism of many, including workers, who correctly ask what the dialogue will achieve and how we will ensure that it does not follow the same route of similar reviews and discussions previously held?”