A draft budget of over R700 million for South Africa’s upcoming National Dialogue has ignited a firestorm of criticism from trade unions, political parties, academics, and civil society. While the government frames the dialogue—scheduled for August 15—as a critical moment of national reflection, detractors argue that it risks becoming yet another expensive, government-backed “talk shop” in a country already burdened by failing services, austerity cuts, and deep inequality.

Guest: Professor Sethulego Matebesi: Academic head of the University of the Free State’s department of sociology