President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the much-anticipated National Dialogue will be held early next year.
Ramaphosa made the announcement during his address to the Reconciliation Day celebrations held in Vredendal North sports grounds, in the Western Cape.
He said the National Dialogue will enable a conversation among citizens on shaping the country’s future developmental path.
“The National Dialogue will seek to build on the achievements of 30 years of democracy.
The National Dialogue will give us an opportunity to address the challenges we have been facing for the past 15 years of low growth and unemployment, poverty and hunger, poor governance, slow land reform and corruption,” said Ramaphosa.
The dialogue was first announced after the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
In addition, Ramaphosa said the Dialogue will used to address pressing challenges such as gender-based violence and femicide, social fragmentation, racism, homophobia and sexism, violence and instability.
According to the president, the Dialogue will also strengthen and consolidate the process of social compacting, where the country will “come together as different sectors and communities to find common solutions.”
In preparation for the dialogue, an advisory panel of eminent persons will be appointed in due course to provide guidance and advice through the dialogue’s process.
“The advisory panel will include men and women of stature who have played prominent roles in Nation building as well as in advancing social cohesion,” explained Ramaphosa.
Further consultation is currently underway with other formations within society to form the content of the National Dialogue and another National Dialogue steering committee will be appointed to coordinate the National Dialogue process.
“This Steering Committee will include representation from the Foundations that have played a leading role in championing the idea of the National Dialogue process, government, labour, business and the community constituency,” highlighted Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa is confident that the Dialogue will reach agreement on the critical challenges facing the nation.
