Writing on the African National Congress (ANC) website, Cyril Ramaphosa has said the scores of public dialogues now taking place across the country are designed to help communities confront the everyday crises that make their lives harder. These mini dialogues are part of the larger National Dialogue that is being driven by the government.

Mr Ramaphosa wrote that the mini discussions will provide opportunities for citizens “to address the immediate challenges that they face where they live”. He noted that these issues range “from electricity cuts to overcrowded schools, a lack of water provision to poorly maintained roads, or an increase in violent crime or drug use”.

The National Dialogue initiative is being presented as a platform for communities to move beyond complaints and towards cooperative problem-solving. “Each community is encouraged to work with all relevant stakeholders – ward councillors, municipal officials, civic bodies, community organisations and provincial and national departments – on a common plan to address these [service delivery and economic problems]”, Ramaphosa said.

The dialogue process is being framed as a way to strengthen accountability by drawing ordinary people into shaping solutions alongside government. By doing so, organisers hope that local priorities will be better understood and acted upon, rather than left to filter slowly through layers of bureaucracy.

The dialogue process, and the extent to which it is being stressed by the ANC and Mr Ramaphosa, may well backfire on them both. South Africa already has perfectly adequate governance systems via which citizens are able to express their opinions. The problem is not that people cannot express themselves but rather that government institutions are inept and corrupt. Poll data shows that voters are tired of politicians offering dialogues as an alternative to action that delivers improved circumstances.