Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has criticized the upcoming National Dialogue, calling it an "insider stitch-up" aimed at boosting the ANC's electoral prospects. Speaking at the DA's headquarters in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, Steenhuisen labeled the initiative "illegitimate" and lacking credibility. The DA was the first party to pull out of the dialogue following the dismissal of its deputy minister of Trade and Industry, Andrew Whitfield, by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation and other legacy foundations have also withdrawn, citing concerns over funding. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Mazibuko Jara, Member of the Organizing Committee for the National Convention