Shaping the next 30 years: Ramaphosa invites citizens to re-imagine the nation’s future

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his call for South Africans to take part in the national dialogue to help shape the country’s future.

Ramaphosa said that the process is an opportunity for citizens to come together and define the next chapter of South Africa’s democracy.

Speaking at the Human Rights Day commemoration in Kimberley on Saturday, the president said nationwide community discussions will help build a shared social compact and strengthen constitutional democracy.

The national dialogue is a citizen-led process initiated by the president last year, aimed at tackling poverty, inequality and unemployment.

The process began with a national convention in august (2025) and seeks to involve 10 million South Africans before a final agreement is reached by mid-2026.

Ramaphosa stressed that the constitution remains the nation’s moral compass, urging citizens to uphold its values and work towards equality, dignity and transformation in everyday life.

"The task of the next thirty years is to deepen that transformation through restoration, redress and restitution. Our task is to ensure that the rights and freedoms contained in the constitution are not only protected in law but experienced in the daily lives of all South Africans," said Ramaphosa.