Ramaphosa tasks eminent persons with boosting public participation in National Dialogue

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has tasked the Eminent Persons Group with ensuring there is a high turnout and participation for the National Dialogue.

At the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, Ramaphosa met with the group of high-profile South Africans he’s chosen to champion the upcoming dialogue.

The dialogue will feature groups and people from all walks of life, talking directly to the government about the issues in the country and possible solutions to them.

READ: Ramaphosa asks National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group to be critical in its work

The President said South Africans had lost faith in some of the country’s democratic processes. 

He referenced the 2024 elections, which recorded the lowest voter turnout in the country’s history.

However, Ramaphosa said this was not a true reflection of the country’s population.

“What I do know about South Africans is they want to be heard, they want to participate, be included in whatever process is meant to direct, improve and take their lives forward.”

One of the eminent South Africans and former student leader, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, said it was important that the dialogue was not dominated by politically inclined people.

“It’s the young person who is not politically active, who’s never read Fannon or Lenin, who feels that this constitution doesn’t benefit me, these policies that we have don’t benefit me – it’s that young person we need to reach out to and make sure understands how they can participate in this democracy.”

Mkhatshwa said she had already begun work on organising young people.