President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that the cost of the much-anticipated National Dialogue will be far below the R740 million figure circulating in public debate, stressing that the process will be conducted efficiently and with fiscal prudence.
Speaking during a live briefing, Ramaphosa dismissed claims that the dialogue — aimed at fostering consensus on pressing national issues would be a financial burden on the state. “The figures being bandied about are grossly exaggerated. The actual cost will be much lower, and we are committed to ensuring that every rand is well spent,” he said.
The National Dialogue, set to bring together political leaders, civil society representatives, labour unions, and business stakeholders, is billed as a platform to tackle the country’s persistent socio-economic challenges. While the Presidency has not yet released a detailed budget, officials indicated that cost-control measures are a priority.
Opposition parties and some public commentators have raised concerns about the necessity and price tag of the dialogue, questioning whether the funds could be better directed toward service delivery. However, Ramaphosa argued that a successful dialogue could ultimately save the country far more than it costs by helping to resolve deep-rooted conflicts and policy impasses.
“We must view this as an investment in stability, unity, and the future of our democracy,” Ramaphosa said. “This is not an extravagant talk-shop it’s a necessary conversation to build the South Africa we want.”
The Presidency is expected to release a detailed breakdown of the dialogue’s costs and funding sources in the coming weeks, in a move aimed at improving transparency and quelling public scepticism.
The first phase of the National Dialogue is expected to commence later this year, with regional consultations preceding a national convention. Stakeholders say the process will be judged not only by how much it costs but by the tangible outcomes it delivers.