Mapaballo Borotho

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has criticised Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen for withdrawing his party from the upcoming National Dialogue, calling the move ‘strange and misplaced’.
In an open letter addressed to Steenhuisen, Mbeki said it would have been more logical for the DA to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU) altogether rather than pull out of a crucial national conversation aimed at tackling South Africa’s social and economic challenges.
The DA’s withdrawal from the dialogue follows the dismissal of its Deputy Minister, Andrew Whitfield, from the GNU. Whitfield had been serving as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition before he was removed last week.
Mbeki wrote that it is clear Steenhuisen harbours serious grievances against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC), particularly regarding the functioning of the GNU.
“It is clear that you and the DA have serious problems with President Ramaphosa and the ANC concerning the functioning of the GNU, culminating in what you believe was an unjust and unfair removal from Government of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield,” Mbeki stated.
He added that pulling out of the National Dialogue – which aims to bring together political parties, civil society, business, and traditional and religious leaders – is counterproductive.
Scheduled for August 15, 2025, the National Dialogue is expected to focus on some of the country’s most urgent socio-economic issues. President Ramaphosa has described it as a critical platform for inclusive national engagement.
READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW:
An Open Letter from President Thabo Mbeki, the Patron of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, addressed to DA leader John Steenhuisen—dated 3 July 2025—in which he responds to the DA’s withdrawal from the National Dialogue pic.twitter.com/LCyrn0fEvp
— Thabo Mbeki Foundation (@TMFoundation_) July 3, 2025
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