Ramaphosa defends National Dialogue in NCOP citing shared vision of SA, patriotism
Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said ultimately the dialogue’s purpose will be to bring South Africans together.
President Cyril Ramaphosa answering questions in the National Council of Provinces today. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Parliament
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the need for a National Dialogue, saying it’s needed to bridge policy differences, rebuild trust and to re-establish nationhood.
Ramaphosa says only when various sectors of society come together, can the country find solutions to overcome its problems.
Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said ultimately the dialogue’s purpose will be to bring South Africans together.
Since Ramaphosa’s recent announcement that the National Dialogue will start with an initial gathering on 15 August 2025, government has been criticised for the unofficial price tag of R700 million.
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Ramaphosa said the dialogue is necessary for business, labour and civil society to collaborate and to guide the work of the seventh administration.
“In order for our country to progress, we need a shared vision of what kind of society we want to build, and what it means for us to be patriotic South Africans.”
Ramaphosa says he hopes the dialogue will also come up with suggestions on how to spur on economic growth besides investment in public infrastructure.
“I’m looking forward to the dialogue coming up with clever ideas, innovative proposals on what else we need to do.”
As a country with a long legacy of forming social compacts, Ramaphosa says he envisions this dialogue to include people at all levels of society, just as when the Constitution was drafted.