National Dialogue: Ramaphosa urges South Africans to engage robustly

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africans should not be afraid to disagree with one another as the National Dialogue process moves into its next phase.

Writing in his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa announced that a second national convention will be held during the first half of next year.

More than a thousand delegates attended the first convention on Friday and Saturday, where the formation of a steering committee to take the process forward was discussed.

Ramaphosa's remarks come after several legacy foundations and political parties withdrew from participating in the first convention over issues of preparation, control and budget.

Ramaphosa says it's expected that nominations for the steering committee that will take the National Dialogue process forward will be made by the end of this month.

He said this committee will be supported and guided by the eminent persons group whom he appointed in July to champion the dialogue.

Ramaphosa says the Eminent Persons Group will also advise him on whether the dialogue is inclusiveand credible.

"There should be no person, no part of society and no institution - either public or private - that is excluded from the conversation," said Ramaphosa.

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He said disagreement is part of meaningful and robust dialogue and this will give legitimacy and credence to the undertaking.

"We should therefore make a determined effort to air our differences with a view to finding agreement on the actions we need to take together to build a better society, in which every person has an equal opportunity to prosper."

Ramaphosa said he anticipates that the second convention will produce a clear vision for the country and adopt a social compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all sections of society.