Watch: Second day of National Convention underway
The National Convention, a two-day event, was opened on Friday by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said that the gathering, though missing the support of various political parties, marked the start of a nationwide conversation aimed at addressing the country's most pressing challenges.
'We have come together in this National Convention not to have the dialogue, but to start the dialogue,' Ramaphosa told delegates yesterday.
The National Convention is described as the precursor to the National Dialogue, which will see 13 000 meetings held across the country, aimed at fostering social cohesion, tackling the country's social ills and removing obstacles to economic growth.
The dialogue's credibility has come under scrutiny following the withdrawal of several foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki and FW de Klerk foundations.
Ramaphosa has encouraged citizens to take part in the dialogue, saying it is a call to participate in the country's progress and events that are meant to shape its future.
'This we cannot do when we are sitting on the sidelines; this we cannot do when we do not want to be part of this conversation and this we cannot do when we sit on the sidelines and criticise. We need to be inside rather than outside the tent,' he said.
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