By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged all South Africans to seize the opportunity presented by the newly launched National Dialogue, saying the process represents one of the most important undertakings in the country’s democratic history.
Writing in his weekly letter, Ramaphosa reflected on the weekend’s first National Convention of the National Dialogue, saying the gathering signalled a resounding call for citizens “to begin the conversation” about the country’s future.
“We should, therefore, make a determined effort to air our differences with a view to finding agreement on the actions we need to take together to build a better society, in which every person has an equal opportunity to prosper.
“We are about to embark on one of the most important undertakings in the history of our democracy. We all have a responsibility to make it work. Let the dialogue begin and let every voice be heard,” Ramaphosa said.
The convention, held over two days, marks the formal start of a process that will unfold over the next year.
Thousands of public dialogues are expected to take place in wards, villages, towns and organised sectors until early 2026. The outcomes will be recorded through a digital platform, with mechanisms for those without internet access to submit contributions.
These local discussions will feed into a second National Convention scheduled for the first half of next year.
According to the president, this follow-up gathering is expected to produce a clear vision for the country and adopt a social compact that sets out the responsibilities of government, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious communities and civil society.
Ramaphosa said that the strength of the dialogue lay in its inclusivity and ability to bridge divisions.
The president noted that some delegates raised concerns about missing voices at the inaugural convention and insisted that efforts must be redoubled to reach marginalised groups.
A steering committee, with nominees from all sectors of society, is to be formed by the end of August to take the process forward, supported by an Eminent Persons Group tasked with ensuring credibility and inclusivity.
Ramaphosa said the responsibility now lay with South Africans themselves.
Meanwhile, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) has welcomed the convening of the process, but warns that it cannot become another talking shop.
Cosatu parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks said the federation would actively participate, raising issues ranging from the 42.9% unemployment rate and deepening poverty to crime, corruption and failing municipal services.
“Most importantly, society, especially the unemployed, the working and middle classes, expect to see concrete actions emanating and to see their daily lives improve,” Parks said.
The federation cautioned that workers would not tolerate reports of large sums being spent on the dialogue while public hospitals, police stations and Home Affairs offices struggled with shortages.
Cosatu stressed that the dialogue must help return South Africa “to the path of renewal, moral regeneration, inclusive economic growth and decent work”.
The SA Communist Party (SACP), however, struck a more critical tone.
In a statement following its Politburo meeting, SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana said that while his party supported the principle of a national dialogue, the current process was “marred by questions of lack of inclusivity”, which risked undermining its legitimacy.
Mandlana said the SACP was absent from the National Convention not because it had boycotted the meeting, but because it had been left out altogether.
“The Politburo noted the tangible political decline of the progressive camp that places the national revolution in the increased danger of a decisive defeat. The decline of political hegemony of the democratic liberation movement requires a strategic re-examination of the tactics at play for the SACP and the Alliance at large,” he said.
The party warned that the dialogue should not become “a tick-box exercise or a process driven mostly by elitist interests”, but must reflect the needs of the working class and majority poor.
Despite differing perspectives, all three voices highlighted the urgency of addressing South Africa’s deep social and economic crises through collective effort.
The citizen-led approach was continuously highlted at the National Convention, with delegates calling for their voices to be hear.
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