National dialogue initiative aims to steer South Africa towards Vision 2030

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed peace activist Ela Gandhi and humanitarian Dr Imtiaz Sooliman – both well known local and international role-players - to co-lead a major National Dialogue initiative aimed at guiding South Africa’s path towards Vision 2030.

The announcement came on Tuesday night, following Mr Ramaphosa’s earlier call for a national dialogue during his State of the Nation Address this year. He said the dialogue would be vital to "chart a way for the country and drive progress towards Vision 2030".

The National Dialogue will begin with a national convention scheduled for August 15, where a broad range of voices from across the country will gather to set the agenda.

Mr Ramaphosa has formed an Eminent Persons Group to spearhead this process, bringing together diverse leaders from various sectors of society. In addition to Ms Gandhi and Dr Sooliman, the group includes trade unionist Bheki Ntshalintshali; former IEC chair Dr Brigalia Bam; entrepreneur and Nando’s co-founder Robbie Brozin; former Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron; ex-Northern Cape premier Manne Dipico;  business leader Bobby Godsell; Springbok captain Siya Kolisi; Miss South Africa 2024 Mia le Roux; and ZCC leader Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane.

Ms Gandhi said the dialogue must address the country’s most urgent issue: crime. She said that to reduce crime, South Africa must tackle its root causes — inequality, unemployment, poverty, and poor service delivery.

“I hope this dialogue will take a holistic approach. Some of these challenges can’t be solved by leaders alone — communities must be involved,” she said.

Ms Gandhi criticised the failure to implement many past resolutions due to weak leadership at local levels. Gandhi also highlighted the deep structural inequalities left by apartheid, particularly in landownership, employment, and skills.

“There comes a time to share skills and land, and those who benefited from apartheid are refusing to share,” she said.

While stressing the importance of land redistribution, Ms Gandhi said the need for food security was paramount.

“We must ensure that those who receive land use it productively. With redistribution must come responsibility — to plough the land and feed the people,” she said.

On corruption, Ms Gandhi called for a stronger justice system and a moral awakening across society.

“Our system has been very weak. In cases like gender-based violence, survivors face perpetrators in court and still lose. This empowers abusers. We need real deterrents,” she said.

The Presidency stated that the National Dialogue would reflect South Africa’s diversity, involving government, civil society, business, labour, faith-based organisations, and community leaders.

The August convention will mark the beginning of this national conversation.

A follow-up convention in early 2026 will aim to consolidate the insights and outcomes of these nationwide discussions — offering a renewed, people-driven vision for the country’s future.