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DA leader John Steenhuisen speaking during an event.
DA leader John Steenhuisen has hit back at former President Thabo Mbeki’s open letter, reiterating that the National Dialogue is a creature of the ANC that has been sprung upon the public with what he calls disingenuous claims that it is an inclusive process.
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
In an eleven-page letter to Steenhuisen, the former statesman criticised the DA for withdrawing from the National Dialogue, stating that he would have found it rational for them to withdraw from the government of national unity.
Good morning, South Africa. President Mbeki’s open letter to me confirms that the National Dialogue is a creature of the ANC that has been sprung upon the public with the disingenuous claim that it is an ‘inclusive’ process. Read my full response below. pic.twitter.com/UnM5mOiBZP
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) July 5, 2025
The second-largest party withdrew from the National Dialogue after President Cyril Ramaphosa fired the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, for undertaking an unsanctioned visit to the US.
Steenhuisen says the withdrawal of the Helen Suzman Foundation is proof that the foundations supporting the dialogue are overwhelmingly organs of ANC stalwarts.
He further questions why so much money must be used for it.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa slammed Steenhuisen’s decision to withdraw from the National conversation, saying it will continue with or without the DA.
