Latest news with #NationalDialogueEminentPersonsGroup
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
National Dialogue figures say government must be ready to answer tough questions on police corruption
JOHANNESBURG - Some of the figures involved in the National Dialogue say government must prepare to answer questions on corruption, particularly within the police sector. This follows recent explosive allegations by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of a corrupt syndicate within the top brass of the country's security cluster. The allegations were once again the topic on Friday as President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group. READ: Ramaphosa asks National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group to be critical in its work This is a group of high-profile South Africans who have been tasked with promoting the dialogue. One of the members, former Democratic Alliance (DA) member of parliament, Lindiwe Mazibuko, said all matters must be on the table. 'There is no situation which we can shy away from the real issues, including criminal justice system so yes we talked about everything and I do think it's going to form an important part of the discussion, but we wait to hear from the President on Sunday.' Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said he met with Mkhwanazi today to give him his support. 'One of the things I was going to raise, - we can't do that in the first meeting of the national dialogue - is these are the kind of matters as members of the eminent persons group we can bring up to government and say, you need to deal fairly with this policeman, are you listening to him. The call I made is for the president to call him personally and get his side of the story.'
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa tasks eminent persons with boosting public participation in National Dialogue
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has tasked the Eminent Persons Group with ensuring there is a high turnout and participation for the National Dialogue. At the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, Ramaphosa met with the group of high-profile South Africans he's chosen to champion the upcoming dialogue. The dialogue will feature groups and people from all walks of life, talking directly to the government about the issues in the country and possible solutions to them. READ: Ramaphosa asks National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group to be critical in its work The President said South Africans had lost faith in some of the country's democratic processes. He referenced the 2024 elections, which recorded the lowest voter turnout in the country's history. However, Ramaphosa said this was not a true reflection of the country's population. 'What I do know about South Africans is they want to be heard, they want to participate, be included in whatever process is meant to direct, improve and take their lives forward.' One of the eminent South Africans and former student leader, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, said it was important that the dialogue was not dominated by politically inclined people. 'It's the young person who is not politically active, who's never read Fannon or Lenin, who feels that this constitution doesn't benefit me, these policies that we have don't benefit me – it's that young person we need to reach out to and make sure understands how they can participate in this democracy.' Mkhatshwa said she had already begun work on organising young people.
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa asks National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group to be critical in its work
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to be critical in its work. On Friday, Ramaphosa met with some of the South Africans he has tasked with championing the upcoming event at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The group includes legendary actor, John Kani, former Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament, Lindiwe Mazibuko and Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux. Friday was the first time the group met. Part of the meeting was to explain to them how the National Dialogue will take place and their respective roles. Ramaphosa said the group had been chosen for its diversity in age, expertise and influence. 'We are asking you, as eminent persons, to be the champions of the National Dialogue, not cheerleaders. We expect that you will critically consider the progress and the conduct of the National Dialogue and provide advice and correction when needed.' A national convention, which will kick off the series of dialogues across the country, is set to take place on 15 August. ALSO READ: Committee working on National Dialogue looks to bring projected R700m cost down
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa rallies nation behind bold new dialogue for South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa Ramaphosa rallies nation behind bold new dialogue for South Africaz Image: X/Presidency President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to rally behind a bold new initiative to rebuild the country through inclusive national dialogue, warning that the time for honest reckoning and collective action is now. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday, Ramaphosa described the dialogue as a 'historic opportunity' to forge a new social compact amid deepening inequality, poor service delivery, and growing public disillusionment. 'For all our progress over the last three decades, the legacy of apartheid continues to haunt our democracy,' Ramaphosa said. 'Unemployment, poverty, and corruption have corroded trust. Many people feel left out, and many have walked away from the democratic process.' The National Dialogue, set to culminate in a National Convention in August, aims to reverse this trajectory by engaging all sectors of society—citizens, political parties, business, labour, and civil society—in shaping a collective vision for the country's future. Ramaphosa made it clear that the dialogue was not a government-led project but a citizen-driven initiative rooted in South Africa's long-standing tradition of dialogue and consensus-building. 'This process must not be partisan, and it must not privilege one voice over another. It is not about cheerleading—it's about critical engagement and honest reflection,' he said. He underscored the importance of the newly appointed Eminent Persons Group—comprising respected leaders from across South African society—to act as stewards of this process. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'We ask you to be champions of the dialogue—raising alarm where people are excluded, calling out misinformation, and ensuring this platform remains open, credible and inclusive,' he said. Ramaphosa acknowledged the political tensions and scepticism surrounding the initiative, including recent misinformation about its purpose and cost. However, he stressed that criticism should not be feared, 'Dissenting voices make us stronger. They show that people care—and want the dialogue to succeed.' The idea for a national dialogue gained momentum last year following calls by civil society and former President Thabo Mbeki. It has since been endorsed by the Government of National Unity (GNU) and included in the country's Medium Term Development Plan. 'This is not the end of the journey—it is the beginning of a new chapter,' Ramaphosa concluded. 'Let us listen. Let us lead and let us rebuild.' IOL Politics
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa cautions against those who may use national dialogue to ‘score political points'
In his address, president highlighted the progress and challenges the country has been facing since 1994. President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned against misinformation, undue criticism and those who may want to hijack the national dialogue process to score political points. Ramaphosa held his inaugural meeting with members of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday, where he outlined the expectations and mandate of the Eminent Persons Group In his address, Ramaphosa highlighted the progress and challenges the country has been facing since 1994. ALSO READ: 'What has gone wrong?' – Mbeki, Biko foundations call for national dialogue amid 'political crisis' 'We have made significant advances in expanding opportunities and access to housing, land, basic services, education and health care,' said Ramaphosa. 'There can be no doubt that we have begun to transform our society and our economy. And yet, the vestiges of our apartheid past remain. 'Inequality, poverty, unemployment, violence and social discord affect the lives of millions of South Africans and hold back our country's progress. 'Our economy has not been growing and the number of unemployed people has been rising.' 'Challenges' He further bemoaned the deterioration in governance, the decline in service delivery and widespread corruption and waste of public resources. This, he said, has resulted in an increasing disengagement among many people from national matters, as evidenced by the turnout in the May 2024 elections. The national dialogue seeks to correct this. 'The National Dialogue is an opportunity to mobilise South Africans to address these challenges and restore our country to the path of transformation, development and progress,' he said. 'It is an opportunity to build on the achievements of the last three decades by defining a shared vision and a common programme to take the country forward.' ALSO READ: National dialogue strife: DA and ANC fall out He urged South Africans to utilise the diversity of cultures, languages, political traditions and viewpoints to their advantage, rather than allowing it to divide the country. 'While this diversity makes for robust and often noisy debate, it does mean that we have a wealth of experiences and perspectives on which to draw,' said Ramaphosa. 'The National Dialogue seeks to provide a platform for this richness of ideas to be brought to bear on the challenges we face.' Hijackers of national dialogue However, he further cautioned against those who may seek to use the national dialogue to push their own political agenda. 'It cannot be partisan and cannot favour one group or perspective over any other. It needs to be citizen-led and the outcomes need to reflect the collective views of the South African people. 'As eminent persons, you are not being asked to represent any particular constituency or organisation. We are asking you, eminent persons, to be champions of the National Dialogue, not cheerleaders.' ALSO READ: The real national dialogue has begun He warned that the national dialogue may be contested and used to score political points or advance particular interests. 'We should not be surprised if there is scepticism or disinterest from some quarters. 'We have already been confronted by the challenge of misinformation and misrepresentation, whether on the cost of the National Dialogue or who is running it. 'But that should not distract us from the work we have to do to give a platform to the millions of voices in our country so that they may be heard and may be counted. 'We should not fear criticism. We should welcome it.' ALSO READ: National dialogue is being used as the beating stick for ANC, DA Calls for a dialogue came from the Thabo Mbeki and Steve Biko foundations in June after the elections failed to produce an outright majority. At the time, the foundations said the dialogue would enable a conversation among citizens on shaping the country's future developmental path.
