South Africa kicked off a historic “national dialogue” today, aimed at uniting diverse sectors of society to tackle pressing challenges, including poverty, inequality, crime, corruption, and a staggering 30% unemployment rate—one of the highest globally.
Initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa following calls from civil society, the two-day convention in Pretoria brings together political parties, civic groups, and the public to chart a path forward.
The dialogue, announced in June, seeks to foster a “people-led, society-wide process” to reflect on South Africa’s trajectory and reimagine its future, Ramaphosa said.
This comes as the country grapples with setbacks over the past decade, highlighted by the African National Congress (ANC) losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 election, leading to a coalition government. The talks echo the multiparty negotiations of the early 1990s that peacefully ended apartheid.
Participants include a broad spectrum of South Africans, with discussions held both in-person and virtually. Ramaphosa appointed an Eminent Persons Group, featuring figures like rugby captain Siya Kolisi, actor John Kani, and former Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron, to reflect the nation’s diversity.
