Ramaphosa's Administration Rocked by Dual Challenges: US Tariffs and National Dialogue Setbacks

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration is facing significant challenges on two fronts: the recently imposed 30% US tariffs on South African exports and the withdrawal of prominent foundations from the National Dialogue initiative. These developments have raised concerns about the country's economic prospects and the government's ability to engage citizens in a meaningful way.

The 30% US tariffs imposed on South African exports have sent shockwaves through the business community, with many expressing concerns about the potential impact on the country's economic growth. The tariffs, which were imposed without warning, have been described as a major blow to South Africa's trade and investment prospects.

The tariffs will affect a wide range of South African exports, including agricultural products, minerals, and manufactured goods. This could lead to a decline in exports, reduced economic growth, and increased unemployment. The government's challenge will be to mitigate the impact of the tariffs and find alternative markets for South African products.

In a separate development, seven prominent South African legacy foundations have withdrawn from the preparatory team of the planned National Convention, citing concerns over the process's credibility and a shift towards government control. The withdrawing organizations include the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Steve Biko Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and FW De Klerk foundations, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

The foundations expressed concerns over the erosion of citizen leadership, lack of operational infrastructure, and deep disagreements within the preparatory task team. They claim that the National Dialogue has strayed from its original purpose of being a citizen-led process and has instead become a government-controlled event.

"We are concerned that the National Dialogue is being hijacked by government, and that the voices of citizens are not being heard," said one of the foundations. "We believe that the process should be driven by citizens, and that government should play a supporting role."

Despite the withdrawal, President Ramaphosa has stated that the National Dialogue will continue, with its first convention scheduled for August 15-17, 2025, at the ZK Matthews Hall, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria. The government aims to use this platform to engage citizens and stakeholders in a discussion about shaping the country's future developmental path.

The National Dialogue is intended to be a platform for citizens to share their views and ideas on how to address the country's challenges and build a better future. The government hopes that the dialogue will help to build a sense of national unity and purpose, and that it will provide a roadmap for the country's development.

The withdrawal of these prominent foundations has significant implications for the National Dialogue. The success of this initiative depends on the active participation of various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, business, labor, and community leaders.

The government must now work to address the concerns raised by the foundations and ensure that the National Dialogue is inclusive, credible, and effective in addressing the country's challenges. This will require a renewed focus on citizen engagement and participation, as well as a commitment to transparency and accountability.

In conclusion, the Ramaphosa administration is facing significant challenges on multiple fronts. The US tariffs and the withdrawal of prominent foundations from the National Dialogue initiative have raised concerns about the country's economic prospects and the government's ability to engage citizens in a meaningful way.

The government must now work to address these challenges and ensure that the National Dialogue is a success. The stakes are high, and the government must rise to the challenge. The country's future depends on it.