Latest news with #EminentPersonsGroup
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Presidency clarifies role of foundations in the National Dialogue preparations
The Presidency has noted various media reports on the National Dialogue that are based on incorrect or incomplete information. In this regard, the Presidency wishes to clarify the following: The National Dialogue is to be an inclusive process in which all South Africans will have an opportunity to participate as individuals or through organised formations. The first National Convention to enable an all-inclusive process will be convened on 15 August 2025 to set the agenda for the National Dialogue. This will be followed by discussions across the country, in various sectors and on issues that citizens feel deserve national attention. These will then be grouped into agenda themes for national engagement. A second National Convention will be held in the beginning of 2026 where these discussions will be consolidated into a common national vision and implementation programme. The Eminent Persons Group has been appointed to champion the National Dialogue and to provide guidance to ensure that the process is inclusive and credible. It is comprised of respected individuals who have played and continue to play an important role in various areas of our national life. The Eminent Persons Group will not be responsible for the day-to-day running of activities. Preparations for the National Convention and other activities are currently being undertaken by a National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team made up of representatives from various foundations, civil society organisations and the Presidency. The National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team has been working for close to a year on developing the form and approach to the National Dialogue. This team will remain seized with the practical arrangements for the National Dialogue until a representative Steering Committee has been established. Media reports that certain foundations belonging to the stalwarts of the liberation struggle have been sidelined or overlooked are inaccurate. These foundations, together with other civil society formations that were part of the initial work, remain centrally involved in the Preparatory Task Team. Over the next few weeks, the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team will undertake a series of information sessions and consultations with a range of stakeholders in preparation for the first National Convention on 15 August 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
The fallout from Trump's Afrikaner project on Ramaphosa's National Dialogue agenda
President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended BEE as an engine of growth. Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa's upcoming national dialogue aims to tackle critical issues facing the country, including the divisions sparked by US President Donald Trump's controversial offer of resettlement to white Afrikaners, alongside pressing concerns regarding unemployment and poor governance. On Wednesday, Ramaphosa announced the appointment of an 'eminent persons group,' comprising 31 South Africans, who will spearhead the National Dialogue scheduled for August 15. One of the eminent persons, who requested anonymity, said the dialogue can be seen as a response to concerns, aiming to address the country's challenges and promote national building. 'The issue should definitely come up, although everybody has a choice to leave the country. "We are way beyond the colour lines now and should focus on nation building with the people who are in the country, instead of dwelling in the past. 'Sure, it's a bone of contention but we do have bigger problems," she said. However, not all are on board with Ramaphosa's dialogue initiative. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has rejected the dialogue as an "elitist farce," saying it is a "staged theatre for the political elite". In a statement its spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, asked why there were no ordinary South Africans, such as shack dwellers, represented? 'The so-called Eminent Persons Group, handpicked by the very same ruling class responsible for mass unemployment, deepening poverty, collapsing infrastructure and the ongoing betrayal of the Freedom Charter, is a mockery of the suffering endured daily by millions of destitute and despondent South African,' Ndhlela wrote. The EFF has also expressed skepticism, questioning the government's motives and the selection process for the Eminent Persons Group. "The challenges Ramaphosa's National Dialogue seek to address are not a product of triumph of human sacrifice against evil, which require collective national reconstruction, but are a product of man-made destruction and corruption of which he and the party he leads have been at the centre of," the EFF said in a statement. The DA's national spokesperson, Willie Aucamp, welcomed the National Dialogue saying his party would embrace the opportunity. 'I think it's high time that we as a nation get together and discuss collectively what we see as a road forward for this country,' he said. Build One South Africa (BOSA) described the announcement as a positive and necessary step forward for the country at a time of great political uncertainty, public anxiety, and economic malaise. The GOOD Party's general secretary Brett Herron said it was long overdue as the wait had been frustrating.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa's National Dialogue to discuss divisions caused by Trump's Afrikaner resettlement project
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the National Dialogue will be held in August. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa's national dialogue to address the pressing issues in the country will address the divisions created by US President Donald Trump's offer of resettlement to white Afrikaners as well as issues on unemployment and poor governance. On Tuesday, Ramaphosa announced the appointment of an 'eminent persons group' made up of 31 prominent South Africans who will lead the National Dialogue, set to take place on 15 August 2025. The dialogue will also recent comments made by US President Donald Trump, who invited white Afrikaners to relocate to the US based on false claims of white genocide - an issue that has become a divisive factor in the country. One of the eminent persons, who requested anonymity, said the dialogue can be seen as a response to these concerns, aiming to address the country's challenges and promote national building. 'The issue should definitely come up, although everybody has a choice to leave the country…We are way beyond the colour lines now and should focus on nation building with the people who are in the country, instead of dwelling in the past. 'Sure, it's a bone of contention but we do have bigger problems," she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading However, not all are on board with Ramaphosa's dialogue initiative. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has rejected the dialogue as an "elitist farce," saying it is a "staged theatre for the political elite". In a statement on Wednesday, its spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela asked why there were no ordinary South Africans, such as shack dwellers, represented? 'We reject this dialogue as a tone-deaf charade engineered by a regime clinging to power, desperately trying to manufacture consent through elitist backroom dealings. 'The so-called Eminent Persons Group, handpicked by the very same ruling class responsible for mass unemployment, deepening poverty, collapsing infrastructure and the ongoing betrayal of the Freedom Charter, is a mockery of the suffering endured daily by millions of destitute and despondent South African,' Ndhlela wrote. The EFF has also expressed skepticism, questioning the government's motives and the selection process for the Eminent Persons Group. "The challenges Ramaphosa's National Dialogue seek to address are not a product of triumph of human sacrifice against evil, which require collective national reconstruction, but are a product of man-made destruction and corruption of which he and the party he leads have been at the centre of," the EFF said in a statement. The DA's national spokesperson, Willie Aucamp, welcomed the National Dialogue saying his party would embrace the opportunity. 'I think it's high time that we as a nation get together and discuss collectively what we see as a road forward for this country,' he said. Build One South Africa (BOSA) described the announcement as a positive and necessary step forward for the country at a time of great political uncertainty, public anxiety, and economic malaise. The GOOD Party's general secretary Brett Herron said it was long overdue as the wait had been frustrating. 'Nearly a year has passed since political parties signed the Statement of Intent of the Government of National Unity (GNU), which explicitly committed to convening a National Dialogue to tackle the country's deep and urgent delay in giving effect to this promise has been frustrating, but the time for talking has finally arrived, and it must now be time for action too,' Herron said.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
EFF slams Ramaphosa's call for national dialogue as publicity stunt
EFF said it will engage in the dialogue but insists the country already held one in May 2024. President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for a national convention to set the agenda for a national dialogue has drawn mixed reactions, with the EFF slamming it as a 'meaningless publicity stunt by a limping President'. In his announcement on Tuesday night, Ramaphosa stated that the national dialogue has been discussed by various national leaders and other stakeholders for some time. National dialogue The national convention is scheduled to take place on 15 August. Ramaphosa mentioned that the national dialogue will drive progress toward the country's Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa's National Development Plan. 'We expect that the National Convention will finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all South Africans.' ALSO READ: Ramaphosa announces 'Eminent Persons Group' to guide national dialogue – These are the people appointed National dialogue nothing new The EFF said while it will participate in all aspects of the national dialogue, including attending every government programme, South Africa had its national dialogue in May 2024. 'That national dialogue led to the people of this country reducing the former liberation movement into just one of many political parties in this country without a majority mandate to lead, because they have failed!' 'False impression' The party said the national dialogue is yet 'another attempt to give the country a false impression of work being done.' 'The EFF views the pronouncement of a national dialogue as a meaningless publicity stunt by a limping president who is leading a limping former liberation movement. 'Furthermore, the EFF rejects completely and with contempt the appointed individuals who will form part of what is referred to as Eminent Persons, as there is nothing eminent about most of these individuals,' the red berets said. ALSO READ: 'What has gone wrong?' – Mbeki, Biko foundations call for national dialogue amid 'political crisis' 'Long overdue step' Good Party secretary-general Brett Herron said Ramaphosa's announcement of a national dialogue is a 'long-overdue step toward renewing South Africa's social contract'. 'The president's recognition that South Africans from every sector of society must have a voice in shaping our future is significant. However, we must guard against a process that becomes performative or elite-driven. 'A truly people-led dialogue must reach beyond the boardrooms and podiums, into townships, rural villages, informal settlements, and inner-city blocks, where the most urgent issues are felt most acutely, Herron said. ALSO READ: Mbeki says issue of renewal of ANC 'not an invention' [VIDEO] 'Forging unity' The ANC welcomed Ramaphosa's announcement of a national dialogue, stating the initiative marks an important national effort to 'forge unity, rebuild trust, and renew the country's collective commitment to social and economic transformation'. National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the ANC has always placed dialogue at the centre of the struggle for liberation and nation-building. 'The ANC calls on its members, alliance partners, mass democratic formations, and all South Africans to actively participate in this National Dialogue. It is through open, principled engagement that we will define a renewed national vision and construct a new social compact anchored in shared responsibility'. Mbeki proposal The national dialogue was first proposed by former president Thabo Mbeki on the eve of the country's national and provincial elections in May 2024. Mbeki, while on the campaign trail, suggested to the ANC that it convene a national convention after the elections to address the country's problems. Diversity Ramaphosa said the national dialogue will represent the diversity of the South African nation, including representatives from government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others. The president said South Africans will, in the months following the national convention, be encouraged to be in dialogue to define the nation's path into the future. He stated that the views, concerns, and proposals that emerge from this conversation will be compiled and presented at a second National Convention, scheduled to take place at the beginning of 2026. NOW READ: Ramaphosa defends transformation: 'We must dispel the false notion'
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
South Africa's National Dialogue: A call for unity
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a National Convention to start a national dialogue involving the entire country. The initiative's goal is to bring people from all walks of life together to fight crime, unemployment, inequality, and division, thereby improving everyone's future. President Cyril Ramaphosa said that dialogue has always been the key to South Africa's change. He discussed how unity and negotiation ended apartheid and built democracy. Ramaphosa described the National Dialogue as a process of national consolidation and progress. Ramaphosa stated that a second National Convention will be held early next year. This convention will establish the duties of the government, businesses, communities, and civil society. There will be an Eminent Persons Group in charge of the process. This group will include well-known people like Judge Edwin Cameron, Dr Brigalia Bam, Siya Kolisi, and many more. The National Dialogue will operate under a three-tiered governance model. An inter-ministerial committee led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile on government involvement. A Steering Committee made up of people from the business, political, labour, cultural, and civil society sectors will set strategic priorities. The secretariat at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) will provide operational support by managing daily activities and making sure that the dialogue continues smoothly through all of its stages. President Ramaphosa's National Dialogue: A staged process that starts at the local level and ends with national unity Ramaphosa said that the next step in the National Development Plan will be based on this process. He ended by calling for unity: 'We are drawing on our traditions of talking and arguing.' Critics view President Cyril Ramaphosa's National Dialogue as a political smokescreen hiding South Africa's diplomatic challenges with strategic allies and the government's growing problems leading to a coalition after the ANC's poor election results. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
