Structures For National Dialogue To Be Setup In Early 2025: President Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday that the structures and processes for South Africa's National Dialogue will be set up by early 2025.

He made the announcement during the National Day of Reconciliation event at the Vredendal North Sports Ground in the Western Cape. "We reaffirm our commitment to work together through a National Dialogue to define the path that our nation will take," he said, SA News reported.

The president said the dialogue will give the country an opportunity to address the challenges it has been facing for the past 15 years of low growth and unemployment, poverty and hunger, poor governance, slow land reform and corruption.

Ramaphosa mentioned that the government is renewing its commitment of creating a South Africa that benefits all its people through various actions. He said the country is facing challenges with the same courage and determination shown during the fight against apartheid.

He highlighted South Africa's history of finding inclusive solutions to problems and announced that a National Dialogue will take place next year. The purpose of this dialogue is to involve citizens in shaping the country's future development, building on the achievements of 30 years of democracy.

The president added that the National Dialogue will focus on addressing important issues like gender-based violence, femicide, social division, racism, homophobia, sexism and violence.

The dialogue aims to strengthen the process of social compacting, where different sectors and communities work together to find common solutions. He explained that the National Dialogue will be guided by a wide public consultation process in local areas, organized by various groups in society.

The president also announced that he will appoint an Advisory Panel of Eminent Persons to offer guidance and advice during the National Dialogue process.

The panel will consist of respected individuals who have played significant roles in nation-building and promoting social cohesion. Additionally, the President will set up a National Dialogue Steering Committee to oversee the process.

This committee will include representatives from the foundations that supported the idea of the National Dialogue, as well as government, labor, business, and community sectors.

The president stated that all necessary structures for the National Dialogue will be in place early next year. The aim of the dialogue is to reach an agreement on the country's critical challenges and develop a shared vision and common values to guide current and future generations of South Africans.

Next year, South Africa will become the first African country to lead the G20, a group of the world's largest economies. The country has set an ambitious agenda for its G20 Presidency, focusing on the themes of "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability."

Ramaphosa urged all South Africans to help make the country's G20 Presidency a success, noting that the journey ahead will be challenging. South Africa officially took on the G20 Presidency on Dec. 1.