Steenhuisen snubs Ramaphosa's national dialogue preparatory meeting

DA leader John Steenhuisen will not be part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue meeting on Friday due to commitments, his team confirmed. None of the DA ministers were in attendance. 

The federal leader’s media manager, Charity McCord, told IOL that Steenhuisen will be attending to oversight in the rural Eastern Cape.

“He is out, it’s a prior engagement,” McCord said.

DA national spokesperson, Willie Aucamp, reiterated the party’s stance that they will not take part in the proposed “ANC national dialogue” that “uses people’s money.”

“The DA will not attend the dialogue. We made it clear that we will not be part of it because it is done in good faith,” he told IOL.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is holding his inaugural meeting with members of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday.

No DA minister is attending the meeting.

This comes after the DA announced its immediate withdrawal from the National Dialogue, citing a breakdown in trust and accusing Ramaphosa of shielding corruption-accused ANC Ministers.

“Until [Ramaphosa] replaces words with action against corruption within his own ranks, the DA sees no further point in wasting our breath in endless talk shops with the ANC,” said Steenhuisen.

“Effective immediately, the DA will have no further part in this process.”

Following the 2024 general elections—which saw the ANC lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994—the DA joined the GNU in a bid to help usher in a new era of inclusive, multiparty governance.

Initially hailed as a historic opportunity for political renewal and cooperation, the GNU has since exhibited growing signs of tension.

Steenhuisen has sharply criticised Ramaphosa for unilaterally appointing what he described as a "bloated" executive, and for advancing contentious legislation without adequate consultation with GNU partners.

Steenhuisen also accused the President of marginalising the DA in critical decision-making processes and of failing to take meaningful action on corruption allegations involving senior ANC officials.

Tensions reached a new high with the recent dismissal of DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield—reportedly over a travel clearance dispute—prompting widespread outrage within the party.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics