PROGRESS REPORT ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DIALOGUE – By Oyama Mabandla (Part 2 / 2 Continued)

PARTICIPATION BY SOCIETY IN THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE

The national dialogue must be a citizen-led process. The process will therefore engage widely with the cross-section of South African society: political bodies, civil society movements, children’s and youth organisations, organisations of disabled compatriots, religious or interfaith sector / communities, business organisations and owners of capital, farmers and farm workers, unions and representatives of the unemployed, scholars, women’s organisations, sporting organisations, representatives of academic / education institutions, think-tanks, professional bodies, grassroots formations, traditional leadership, community-based organisations, rural formations and other interest groups. It will reach as many sectors of our society as possible.

We acknowledge, with gratitude, the many organisations that have already expressed their support for this endeavour, others are participating in the unfolding activities and indeed we believe that such a widespread set of voices will resuscitate the soul of our nation.

We envisage that the dialogue will be preceded and informed by an extensive public consultation process in localities facilitated by various sectors of society. Mechanisms will be established for citizens to contribute directly to shaping the agenda and outcomes of the National Dialogue.

A SHARED VISION OF A FUTURE S.A

7 THE ENVISAGED OUTCOMES OF THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE

It is important to indicate, without prescribing to the nation, what the envisaged outcomes of
the National Dialogue should be. The following are what the Foundations have discussed and
these have been aired in public by many opinion-makers:

7.1 Agreement on the critical challenges facing the nation.
7.2 A shared vision of what it means to be a South African and the development of a new national ethos and common value system.
7.3 A recommitment by all South Africans to our democratic order and the active participation of all citizens in the democratic process.
7.4 A Social Compact and sectoral and community social compacting that unites all the people of South Africa, with clear responsibilities for different stakeholders, government, political parties, business, labour, civil society, communities and individual citizens.
7.5 A rigorous governance framework for institutionalising and tracking the outcomes of the
National Dialogue.
7.6 Lay a strong foundation for the next long term National Development Plan to be adopted
by the Government of the day or by way of a Referendum.

8 COMMUNICATING THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE

8.1 A large-scale communications effort is planned, similar to that which accompanied the public participation in the constitution-making process, to ensure maximum participation across society.

8.2 The communications strategy and approach will be led by the National Dialogue Steering Committee, working with the Eminent Persons Group and other stakeholders that are part of the implementation of the National Dialogue.
8.3 The President must act as the Principal advocate for the Dialogue.

CONCLUSION

A concept document, agreed to between the Foundations’ Preparatory Committee for the national dialogue has been finalised. It is noted, with appreciation, that several organisations have taken it upon themselves to start internal and sectoral discussions regarding the national dialogue.

Some leaders of the religious sector have over the past weeks engaged in similar fashion about the national dialogue with the Head of State.

It is now one year since the call for a national dialogue was made. Significant progress has been
registered and save for the awaited call by President Ramaphosa the Foundations have been
ready for the commencement of this long-awaited process.
In the latest engagement with the Office of the Head of State, President Cyril Ramaphosa, we
understand that the announcement for the commencement of this process will happen in the
next few days.
We wish to urge all the parties to voice and ensure their unwavering support for this crucial
program to reset South Africa’s fledgling democracy.

END