Staff Reporter
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday set out four priorities for the National Dialogue Steering Committee, telling members that as the architects of a new social compact, their first task should be to build an inclusive, citizen-led process.
“[As]s you gather today as the steering committee, you are nation builders,” Ramaphosa said. “You are the architects of the South Africa of our future, which is grounded on a solid foundation, which is our constitution.”
Ramaphosa was speaking via a virtual platform to the committee members, who were gathered along with members of the eminent persons group, and others, for an inaugural meeting at the UNISA main campus in Pretoria.
“The steering committee has a crucial responsibility,” Ramaphosa said. “You will set strategic priorities and coordinate the implementation of the National Dialogue process.”
Ramaphosa said the committee’s work would be judged on whether it reached beyond institutions and became a public endeavour.
The goal was a new social compact for the development of South Africa, he said, and government would not direct outcomes.
“[F]or us in government, we are there only to play a supportive role….” he said.
Ramaphosa set out four priorities for the committee.
“First, this dialogue must be as inclusive as possible,” he said.
“Every voice matters. We must give all sectors of our society, every community and every individual the space to determine how we address today’s problems and build the South Africa we want for future generations.”
He said the process must be led by citizens rather than the state.
“Second, this dialogue must be citizen-led. While the head of state convenes the National Dialogue and government provides support, the outcomes must reflect the collective views of the South African people.
“Third, coordination and governance must be effective,” he said. “The Steering Committee – working with the eminent persons group, the inter-ministerial committee and the secretariat – must ensure this process is well-organised, transparent and credible.”
He proposed that one of the first tasks of the steering committee should be to meet with the eminent persons group “to establish effective mechanisms for coordination and cooperation”.
“There needs to be a regular flow of information and clear guidelines for interaction between these two vital bodies.”
He said the process should enable difficult conversation.
“The fourth principle is that the process must promote understanding and healing,” Ramaphosa said. “As we confront uncomfortable truths and ask difficult questions, we must create spaces where discussions encourage healing.”
Ramaphosa said the committee would be responsible for consolidating nationwide discussions into an outcome for adoption at the next national convention.
“Through your work, the views and proposals from thousands of conversations across the country will be synthesised into a clear vision and an agreed programme of action for adoption by the second National Convention,” he said.
Invoking Nelson Mandela, Ramaphosa told members: “As the father of our democracy used to say, ‘it’s in your hands’.”
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