President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the launch of the long-awaited National Dialogue initiative, aimed at forging a unified vision for South Africa amidst persistent socio-economic challenges.

“This initiative has been gathering great support and enthusiasm since it was proposed last year,” the president said during a live televised broadcast on Tuesday evening.

“It has been endorsed by a wide range of formations across society.”

Drawing from the country’s historic legacy of negotiation and reconciliation, Ramaphosa positioned the dialogue as both a continuation of that spirit and a bold response to current realities.

“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,” he stated.

A National Convention has been scheduled for August 15, 2025, which will set the agenda for the National Dialogue.

The National Convention has been described as “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.”

Ramaphosa remains candid about the country’s enduring problems.

“Poverty, unemployment and inequality are deep wounds that prevent us from reaching our full potential as a nation,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of collective action. “Millions of people are under-employed and unemployed. Many of those who work earn wages that cannot sustain them or their families.”

The National Dialogue, he stressed, will be a “people-led, society-wide process” designed to “reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future.”

Far from a one-off event, the dialogue will unfold in phases, beginning with local and sectoral consultations, building towards a second National Convention early next year.

To guide this massive undertaking, Ramaphosa announced the appointment of an Eminent Persons Group—an illustrious and diverse panel of 33 national figures from sectors including business, academia, sport, religion, and civil society.

Among the members are former IEC chair Dr Brigalia Bam, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, peace icon Ela Gandhi, storyteller Gcina Mhlope, and rocket scientist Siyabulela Xuza.

“These are leading figures in our society, reflecting the great diversity of our nation, with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building,” Ramaphosa said.

The dialogue will also be supported by an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Deputy President, a sectoral Steering Committee, and a Secretariat housed at NEDLAC.

President Ramaphosa framed the dialogue as a crucial opportunity to shape the next phase of the country’s National Development Plan and steer progress toward Vision 2030.

“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,” he said.

“In the months following the National Convention,” he added, “South Africans will… be encouraged to be in dialogue to define our nation’s path into the future.”

As he concluded his address, Ramaphosa appealed to the nation’s history and spirit of unity: “We are drawing on our traditions of dialogue and debate. We are determined to define a shared vision of a nation which belongs to all South Africans united in their diversity.”

The full list of the Eminent Persons Group:

• Dr Brigalia Bam, former Independent Electoral Commission Chairperson,
• Mr Robbie Brozin, entrepreneur and businessperson,
• Judge Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge,
• Mr Manne Dipico, former Northern Cape Premier,
• Dr Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana coach and football legend,
• Ms Ela Gandhi, peace activist and stalwart,
• Prof Nomboniso Gasa, researcher and rural activist,
• Mr Bobby Godsell, business leader,
• Dr John Kani, award-winning actor,
• Mr Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain and world champion,
• Ms Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024,
• His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, leader of the Zion Christian Church,
• His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane, leader of the St Engenas Zion Christian
  Church,
• The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town,
• Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Chairperson of the National Planning Commission,
• Dr Barbara Masekela, poet, educator and stalwart,
• Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Member of Parliament,
• Mr Roelf Meyer, former Minister and constitutional negotiator,
• Ms Gcina Mhlope, storyteller, writer and actor,
• Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, student activist and former Member of Parliament,
• Ms Kgothatso Montjane, Grand Slam tennis champion,
• Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu, former activist and educationist,
• Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali, unionist and former COSATU General Secretary,
• Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa, traditional leader,
• Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San
  Leaders,
• Dr Gloria Serobe, business leader,
• Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers,
• Prof Derrick Swartz, academic,
• Ms Lorato Trok, author and early literacy expert,
• Mr Sibusiso Vilane, mountaineer and adventurer,
• Mr Siyabulela Xuza, award-winning rocket scientist.