On 30 April 2024, former President Mr. Thabo Mbeki, reflecting on the 30 years of
democracy made a passionate call for the nation to engage in a dialogue to work a new
vision and programme for the next 30 years and beyond. This was echoed by President
Ramaphosa after which the Foundations accepted the challenge not only to support the
call but galvanise the nation behind this call but to undertake practical steps to prepare
for this patriotic task.
After almost a year of that work we return to all the parties with
which we engaged and the public in general to provide this progress report.
The import of this report is to indicate that despite delays, and other difficulties in kick
starting this process much work has been done and that we are at a point where all
South Africans must be ready to participate in this crucial process on purpose directed
national conversation.
CONTEXT OF THE CALL FOR A NATIONAL DIALOGUE
Over the last 30 years of democracy, South Africa has made significant strides towards
building a united non-racial and non-sexist society and improving the lives of all its
people. The nation has worked hard to establish a progressive constitutional order,
expand access to social infrastructure and services to millions of people, and to set
the economy on an upward trajectory to defeat the scourge of poverty and dislocation.
However, our country is once again at a crossroads with uncertainty as to where it will
be tomorrow. The negative economic and social legacy of our past persists, the
political environment is conflictual, the economy is not growing, poverty is
widespread, and there is a growing sense of social discontent and alienation. It is time
to reset and reimagine our country for posterity. This must be done by the citizens
themselves through a process of purpose- driven and courageous conversations, with
no sacred cows.
OVERCOMING WIDESPREAD POVERTY
Exactly a year ago, in relation to the foregoing, former President Mbeki said: “At the
same time, our combined actions must continue to focus on nation building, national and social cohesion, the South Africa which, as visualised in our Constitution, truly belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
We must build and entrench the strong ethical foundations which must make a critical contribution to the task to end such scourges as lawlessness, violence against the person, including gender-based
violence, as well as a pernicious individualism which leads to looting, corruption and all manner of criminal abuse.
Together we must achieve a correct definition of our place in the world, so that once more we re-emerge as steadfast champions of Africa’s renaissance and co-architects of the global human family visualised in Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063, in which no one is left behind.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa, when addressing the issue on 16 December 2024 said:
“We reaffirm our commitment to work together through a National Dialogue to define the path that our nation will take. Through our various actions we are reigniting our collective vision and shared passion to create a South Africa that works for all its people.”
Further President reiterated this position in the State of the Nation address during February 2025.
Thus, in line with the adoption of the democratic Constitution in 1996, the upcoming National Dialogue is one of the most important political events in South Africa since 1994.
The process to drive this important initiative rests on the shoulders of South African volunteers committed to the success of our country.
THE NATION’s FOUNDING VALUES
It is correct that, given the country’s past, the nation dialogue should be based on the founding provisions of the Republic, as laid out in Chapter 1 of the Constitution to entrench the notion of the Republic of South Africa being one sovereign, democratic state founded on the following values:
3.1.1 Human dignity, the advancement of equality, and the advancement of human rights and freedoms
3.1.2 Non-Racialism and Non-Sexism
3.1.3 Supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law
3.1.4 Universal adult suffrage, a national common voter’s roll, regular elections, and a multi-party system of democratic government to ensure accountability,
responsiveness, and openness.
4 THE PROBLEM STATEMENT
The Foundations’ National Dialogue Preparatory Committee agreed on the following problem statement:
4.1 That South Africa faces unprecedented and dangerous levels of civic disengagement, exhibiting signs of losing hope in the very idea of democracy.
4.2 At the heart of this is the apparent failure of leadership, and socio- economic regression, a challenge that society must face head on and resolve.
4.3 The National Dialogue Preparatory Committee further agreed that the Head of State should direct the process of the National Dialogue as empowered by Section 83 of the Constitution (c) promotion of the unity of the nation and which will advance the Republic.
4.4 The Preparatory Committee have held various meetings with the office of the Head of State to define roles and responsibilities, the proposed structure and approach to the National Dialogue.
5 THE PRINCIPLES OF THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE
The following principles were discussed and agreed with the emissaries representing the Head of State as key underpinnings of the National Dialogue:
5.1 The need for a National Dialogue is established and confirmed.
5.2 There is commitment to an all-inclusive, citizen-led process. Citizens, as individuals and
through their various formations, must be able to actively participate and take the lead
in shaping the outcome of the process.
5.3 The Head of State has a responsibility in terms of SECTION 83 of the Constitution of the Republic
of South Africa to “promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance the Republic.”
5.4 Based on this principle, the Head of State as the Convenor of the National Dialogue, will invite citizens to participate in this once in a lifetime initiative. He shall charge the Preparatory Task Team of the Foundations and the NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR COUNCIL (NEDLAC) with the support of his office to undertake the preparations for the first seating of the First National Convention which will commence the national dialogue, set the agenda, timelines and the scope of the national agenda.
5.5 He shall propose to the National Convention the Eminent Persons Group and Steering
Committee after consulting widely, to helm and drive this initiative.
5.6 Government is committed to funding the National Dialogue.
5.7 Other acceptable sponsorships (cash and in kind) are permissible under strict guidance
to be spelt out by the National Dialogue Steering Committee.
5.8 The proposed structures1 to support the National Dialogue will be :
5.7.1 An Eminent Persons Group
5.7.2 A Steering Committee (to include various subcommittees)
5.7.3 A Secretariat
5.7.4 An Inter-Ministerial Committee
5.8 Further support for the process could be sought from other formations, some of which
have already committed their support and others that will be considered from time to time based on the relevance of their contribution.
END OF PART 1 / TO BE CONTINUED
Discover more from Radio Freedom
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
