Interview: Yoliswa Makhasi on SABC News discussing the National Dialogue process
On 12 August 2025, SABC News hosted a televised discussion on the upcoming National Convention, the first major event in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue initiative. The segment featured three guests: Christo van der Rheede from the FW de Klerk Foundation, Tebogo Khaas from Public Interest SA, and Yoliswa Makhasi, Head of the Public Service Programme at the New South Institute (NSI).
The National Dialogue, launched by the presidency in 2023, is intended as a long-term initiative to shape a shared vision for South Africa over the next three decades. The first National Convention took place from 15 to 17 August 2025 at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria. However, concerns have surfaced regarding the inclusiveness, planning, and communication around the event. Several legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki, Desmond and Leah Tutu, and FW de Klerk Foundations, have withdrawn from the preparatory process, citing procedural concerns and a lack of community-led engagement.
In her remarks, Makhasi affirmed the NSI’s support for the principle of national dialogue, but noted that the process must remain participatory and inclusive. She highlighted the importance of balancing the government’s role in financing the initiative with the need for responsiveness to input from civil society, academia, religious institutions, and other sectors.
She also pointed to the need for better coordination and public communication: “We have not seen the agendas. We have not seen who has been invited”, she said, referring to the limited transparency surrounding the planning process. Makhasi stressed that while government may view the convention as a starting point for logistics and planning, South Africans require clarity and thematic guidance in order to contribute meaningfully to the substantive goals of the dialogue.
Makhasi further emphasised the importance of public sector reform in addressing South Africa’s challenges. “We think that functionality of the public sector is the problem”, she noted, explaining that NSI has made input on these issues and will continue to advocate for reforms aimed at improving effectiveness.
