President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that a National Convention, which will set the agenda for the National Dialogue, will be held on August 15.

Ramaphosa explained that in the wake of government’s engagements with various entities, there was broad agreement to convene a National Dialogue, given challenges facing the country.

The National Convention would represent the diversity of the South African nation, Ramaphosa said.

“It will be a representative gathering, bringing together government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others.

“Through their various political, social and other formations, in their workplaces, in places of worship, communities, villages and sites of learning, South Africans will in the months following the National Convention be encouraged to be in dialogue to define our nation’s path into the future,” he stated.

The National Convention aims to finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of South Africans. Ramaphosa said the views, concerns and proposals that emerge from the conversation will be brought to a second National Convention, planned to be held at the beginning of next year.

He explained that the idea of holding a dialogue is not a new concept in South Africa.

“In many ways having dialogues is part of our DNA as a nation. At every important moment in the history of our country, we have come together as a nation to confront our challenges and forge a path into the future in dialogue with one another. Through dialogue we were able to deal with the challenges that the apartheid system caused in our country and achieved peace and overcame violence,” he said.

The dialogue will be a participatory process that unfolds in phases: local consultations, sectoral engagements, and provincial and national gatherings.

The process would be people-led, Ramaphosa said, a society-wide process to reflect on the state of the country for citizens to reimagine their future.

He explained that the National Dialogue was a chance for all South Africans to come together and help shape the next chapter of the country’s democracy.

“Through the National Dialogue, we seek a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and develop a new national ethos and common value system. It is an opportunity to forge a new social compact for the development of our country, a compact that will unite all South Africans, with clear responsibilities for different stakeholders, government, business, labour, civil society, men and women, communities and citizens,” he said.

The dialogue will also serve to drive progress towards Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa’s National Development Plan.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been established under the chairpersonship of Deputy President Paul Mashatile to coordinate government’s contribution to the National Dialogue.

Ramaphosa will establish a Steering Committee, comprising representatives of various sectors of society, to set strategic priorities and coordinate implementation of the National Dialogue process.

The Secretariat, which is responsible for day-to-day management of National Dialogue activities, will be housed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council.

Ramaphosa has appointed an Eminent Persons Group, comprising leading figures in society, who he says reflect the great diversity of the nation, with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building.

Amongst the members are former Independent Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Brigalia Bam; former Constitutional Court judge Judge Edwin Cameron; Banyana Banyana coach and football legend Dr Desiree Ellis; researcher and rural activist Professor Nomboniso Gasa; Springbok captain and world champion Siya Kolisi; leader of the Zion Christian Church His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane; Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town the Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba; chairperson of the National Planning Commission Professor Tinyiko Maluleke; student activist and former Member of Parliament Nompendulo Mkhatshwa and business leader Dr Gloria Serobe.

Ramaphosa noted an invitation to leader of the Ebuhleni faction of Shembe Church Mduduzi Shembe, saying he had not yet been able to confirm his availability, as he was travelling.