Latest news with #nationaldialogue
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Focus on Africa Can South Africa's national dialogue help solve its problems?
South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a national dialogue called 'uniting voices, shaping the nation". It's an ambitious plan to confront its most pressing challenges and unite a nation still wrestling with the legacy of apartheid, deep inequality, and mounting political tension. Critics say it's been rushed. So, will it work? Also, the Ugandan ex-military men arrested for allegedly wanting to fight in the Russian-Ukraine conflict And the African Union backs a campaign to end the use of a 16th-century map in favour of one that more accurately displays the size of the continent. We'll hear from someone campaigning for change. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Mark Wilberforce and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Reza Asadi
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Can a national dialogue solve South Africa's problems?
The process aims to shape the country's next chapter of democracy, three decades after apartheid. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa wants people to come together and talk. He has launched a national dialogue process – billed as citizen-led – for South Africans from all walks of life to decide how to deal with challenges from crime and corruption to poverty and inequality. list of 3 items list 1 of 3 list 2 of 3 list 3 of 3 end of list But critics say his party, the African National Congress (ANC), has had 30 years in power to do just that. So, can a conference help to solve longstanding problems in the country? Will the talks address the divisions in the ANC? And what's the next chapter for South African politics? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Lindiwe Zulu – Member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress Imraan Buccus – Senior research associate at the Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute William Gumede – Associate professor at the University of the Witwatersrand's School of Governance
The Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
We are here to start the dialogue, says Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised his standing amid the wrangling over the national dialogue. Taking to the podium to address the national convention meant to kick off the dialogue, the president maintained he is well within his rights to oversee the process as its convener. 'I have called this first national convention in my capacity as your president, as the head of state. I have done so in line with section 83 of our constitution, which requires the president, as the head of state and head of the national executive, to promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance the republic. 'This is what brings me here. This is why I invited all of you here, to be here and be part of this dialogue,' said Ramaphosa. Despite the dramatic 11th-hour withdrawal from the dialogue by legacy foundations, Ramaphosa insisted there was a need to forge ahead as planned. Thanking them for their work preparing for the dialogue, Ramaphosa said any hesitation or postponement could erode trust in the process by civil society organisations and NGOs invited to share their views. 'For more than a year, various formations of civil society have been working to conceptualise and champion the national dialogue. Central to this effort have been a number of legacy foundations established by and named for stalwarts of our liberation struggle. We express our gratitude and appreciation for the work of these foundations in giving life to the national dialogue.' He said this would open up a space where South Africans confront their realities openly, respectfully and constructively. ' This is not a partisan platform. This is a national platform. Here, no voice is too small and no perspective is too inconvenient to be heard. We are gathered to listen to each other, to understand one another and to chart a common path forward for our country. 'We meet at a time of profound challenges: economic hardship, unemployment, inequality, growing poverty and a crisis of confidence in our institutions. We also meet at a time when the world is rapidly changing and our ability to adapt and renew ourselves will define the next generation. But history teaches us that nations are not defined solely by their difficulties; they are defined by how they respond to challenges they face.' Ramaphosa said the South African struggle was one for freedom from the nightmare of apartheid, one that proved there was unity in diversity. 'It is a powerful force for transformation. Gathered in this hall are people from all across our land, people from all walks of life, people of all races, all classes, all languages and cultures.' Despite the diversity of those participating in forums like the dialogue, one thing that held South Africans together was that they were all 'sons and daughters of the same soil'. 'We share a common past. We share the same inheritance of division, of inequality and of injustice. We share the same pride at ending the crime of apartheid and establishing a constitutional democracy. We also share a common future. And that is why we have chosen to gather here today. Because each one of us, regardless of our differences, is committed to work together to build the future of which we all dream. 'We have chosen to be here because we believe in the power of dialogue and united action. We believe that if we share our concerns and fears, we can conquer them. If we understand the challenges we face, we can overcome them. 'If we know what hurts us, we can heal. If we know what divides us, we can unite.' He said across the length and breadth of South Africa, people would, and should, meet to talk about what worried them, what gave them hope and how they thought their lives and the country could be better.
News24
5 days ago
- Politics
- News24
National Convention snub by foundations, Mbeki seen as boycotting ‘people of SA', not govt
Former president Thabo Mbeki and seven legacy foundations opted not to attend South Africa's National Convention, citing dissatisfaction with organisers. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya asserted this didn't undermine the event's credibility, emphasising its inclusivity with nearly 1 000 confirmed attendees. The convention aims to foster national dialogue, representing diverse South African communities, notwithstanding the notable absences. The departure of seven legacy foundations and former president Thabo Mbeki from the National Convention has not undermined the legitimacy of this weekend's gathering. This was the sentiment from President Cyril Ramaphosa, through his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, in response to the latest confirmation that Mbeki had penned a letter confirming he would not attend the National Convention. Magwenya, at a press briefing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, said those who were staying away from the gathering must not be mistaken to think they are boycotting Ramaphosa or the government, but they were boycotting the people of South Africa. 'With all due respect, these foundations do not represent the majority of South Africa. They were never set up to be constituency groups, as far as we understand them, unless that has changed,' Magwenya said. He said the credibility of the dialogue, which has been called into question amid the mass exit by legacy foundations, is not a once-off exercise between Friday and Saturday. 'The credibility of the national dialogue is going to be the level of participation across communities and what's going to come out of that process as outcomes. And that credibility cannot be determined by one person, neither can it be determined by seven organisations or foundations. 'South Africa is much bigger than any one individual or any other foundations. 'It would have been great to have the former president there, but if he's not there, he's not there,' Magwenya said. He said the show would go on. 'And Africans will continue with the dialogue process and hopefully at some point, not only the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, but other foundations will find it among themselves to participate in the process and realise that there is no benefit out of boycotting the people of South Africa. WATCH LIVE | President's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya updates the public on the President's programme. #GovZAUpdates — South African Government (@GovernmentZA) August 14, 2025 'They are not boycotting the president, they're not boycotting government, they are boycotting the people of South Africa in their exercise through this national dialogue and this national dialogue does not belong to the president, nor does it belong to government. 'It belongs to all South Africans and therefore those who choose not to participate are not in any shape or form disadvantaging the president or government, for that matter,' Magwenya said. The National Convention, being held at Unisa (Muckleneuk Campus), where Mbeki serves as chancellor, is viewed as a pivotal gathering to lay the foundation for the National Dialogue. News24 reported on Thursday that Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, chairperson of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, had penned a letter and addressed it to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) executive director, Makhukhu Mampuru. Fraser-Moleketi confirmed correspondence inviting Mbeki to attend the event before declining. It is worth noting that the tone of the letter appeared to undermine the sitting, with her referring to the organisers as the 'so-called National Dialogue team and the convention organising committee of the National Dialogue'. Magwenya said close to 1 000 delegates had confirmed attendance and this means that the convention would be inclusive. 'The convention will be representative of all sectors of our society through the different formations and groups that have accepted invitations to attend, the organising team has taken a great deal of care to ensure that all sectors of our society will be represented tomorrow (Friday) at the national convention,' Magwenya said.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Africa starts a soul-searching 'national dialogue' about poverty, inequality and other issues
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African is starting a 'national dialogue' Friday that is meant to bring all sectors of society together to discuss the country's most pressing issues and find solutions. The talks, initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa after calls from civil society, are expected to include most political parties, civic groups and members of the public. Concerns have been raised over a possible $40 million cost, while there are also questions about whether the dialogue will result in significant changes. South Africa faces many problems more than 30 years after the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule, including high levels of poverty and inequality, crime, corruption and an unemployment rate of more than 30% — one of the world's worst. The country is no stranger to national talks, including the multiparty negotiations for a peaceful end to apartheid in the early 1990s. Here's what to know about the national dialogue, which begins with a two-day convention in the capital, Pretoria. Why South Africa is holding the talks Since its first democratic election in 1994, when Nelson Mandela was elected as the country's first Black president, South Africa made progress in de-escalating racial tensions, improving the economy and providing access to millions of its poor Black majority. However, there are concerns that the country has digressed over the last decade and calls for a soul-searching exercise grew louder after the long-governing African National Congress, or ANC, party lost its majority in the 2024 election, forcing South Africa to form a coalition government. Ramaphosa announced the dialogue in June. 'The national dialogue must be a place where everyone has a voice. The dialogue will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future," he said. The participants South Africans from all walks of life are expected to voice their views at the dialogue, with talks expected to be held in person and virtually. Ramaphosa has appointed an Eminent Persons Group, which is made up of religious, sports, labor and civic figures who he says reflect the great diversity of South Africa. They include South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi, award-winning 'Black Panther' actor John Kani and former Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron. Not everyone believes the talks will have a real impact. The Democratic Alliance, or DA, the second-biggest party in the coalition government, withdrew in a dispute with the ANC over the firing of one of its deputy ministers by Ramaphosa. It has also said that the talks are a waste of public money. The MK Party, the official opposition, has said that it won't participate. The dialogue will happen in phases and take the form of public discussions in all of South Africa's nine provinces. It's unclear how long the dialogue will last, but a second convention could happen early next year. Criticism of the national dialogue Some high-profile foundations have pulled out of this week's opening convention, citing rushed timelines and logistical issues, but they have said they will participate in the rest of the program. The estimated cost of the dialogue has drawn criticism, although Ramaphosa's office has said that it's not as high as the numbers being put forward. 'If you want to have a real nationwide process, then it is going to cost a lot of money. It's not something that can be avoided,' University of Pretoria political analyst Dirk Kotze said. The DA party and others have accused the ANC of trying to control the conversation and use it as a platform to campaign before local elections next year. 'I think the message that comes through specifically for the ANC is that they should stand a little bit back and not try to control the process,' Kotze said. ___ AP Africa news: Michelle Gumede And Mogomotsi Magome, The Associated Press
