South Africa's National Dialogue: A call for unity

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a National Convention to start a national dialogue involving the entire country.

The initiative’s goal is to bring people from all walks of life together to fight crime, unemployment, inequality, and division, thereby improving everyone’s future.

WHY DIALOGUE IS IN THE DNA OF SOUTH AFRICA

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that dialogue has always been the key to South Africa’s change. He discussed how unity and negotiation ended apartheid and built democracy.

Ramaphosa described the National Dialogue as a process of national consolidation and progress.

A COMMON GOAL FOR A STRONGER SOUTH AFRICA

Ramaphosa stated that a second National Convention will be held early next year. This convention will establish the duties of the government, businesses, communities, and civil society.

There will be an Eminent Persons Group in charge of the process. This group will include well-known people like Judge Edwin Cameron, Dr Brigalia Bam, Siya Kolisi, and many more.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE STRUCTURE TO ENSURE INCLUSIVE IMPLEMENTATION

The National Dialogue will operate under a three-tiered governance model.

An inter-ministerial committee led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile on government involvement.

A Steering Committee made up of people from the business, political, labour, cultural, and civil society sectors will set strategic priorities.

The secretariat at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) will provide operational support by managing daily activities and making sure that the dialogue continues smoothly through all of its stages.

WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE?

President Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue: A staged process that starts at the local level and ends with national unity

Ramaphosa said that the next step in the National Development Plan will be based on this process. He ended by calling for unity: “We are drawing on our traditions of talking and arguing.”

Critics view President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue as a political smokescreen hiding South Africa’s diplomatic challenges with strategic allies and the government’s growing problems leading to a coalition after the ANC’s poor election results.