SA National Dialogue Convention Ends with Call for Citizen-Led Change

Delivering the closing address, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Co-Deputy Chairperson of the Eminent Persons Group, praised the extraordinary energy and determination shown during the event.

 

The inaugural National Convention of the National Dialogue concluded in Pretoria with a powerful message: South Africa’s future must be shaped by its citizens. The two-day gathering, hosted at the University of South Africa (Unisa), brought together over 1,200 delegates from across government, civil society, religious institutions, youth movements, and communities.

Delivering the closing address, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Co-Deputy Chairperson of the Eminent Persons Group, praised the extraordinary energy and determination shown during the event.

“Over the past two days, we have witnessed a spirit so alive and thriving in these halls: those who have stepped up to lead, young voices reminding us to be bolder, and communities claiming their role in shaping our future,” Mazibuko said.

She emphasised that the Convention was never intended to provide ready-made solutions, but to lay the groundwork for a long-term citizen-led process of dialogue and renewal.

A Spirit of Inclusivity and Shared Ownership

Mazibuko highlighted the importance of inclusivity, stressing that the Convention marked the beginning of a national process owned by communities, rather than a once-off event.

“This inaugural Convention was never intended to provide all the answers. It is a foundational step, setting the agenda for the long journey ahead. It is a powerful example of inclusivity and the beginning of a process that truly belongs to citizens in every community,” she noted.

The event featured Dialogue Labs, where participants identified the country’s most urgent priorities, ranging from jobs and livelihoods to safety, corruption, education, gender-based violence, and healing from historical trauma.

Building on South Africa’s Legacy of Dialogue

Mazibuko situated the National Dialogue within South Africa’s rich history of consensus-building, referencing CODESA negotiations, the adoption of the Constitution, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). These moments, she said, demonstrated that dialogue has always been the bedrock of South African democracy.

“These historical lessons serve as a reminder of our shared identity and responsibility. South Africans do not shy away from challenges; we face them together,” she said.

She acknowledged the road ahead would be complex, marked by deep-rooted obstacles, potential disagreements, and setbacks, but insisted the process would be sustained through the collective resilience of citizens.

Citizen Demands and Areas of Urgency

Delegates repeatedly raised concerns about:

• Unemployment and livelihoods: finding practical pathways to job creation.

• Safety and security: addressing rising crime rates and restoring community trust.

• Corruption: tackling impunity and ensuring accountability in public institutions.

• Education reform: closing inequality gaps in access and quality.

• Gender-based violence: building a safer, more inclusive society.

• Historical healing: confronting trauma while building unity.

“These are not abstract concepts; they reflect the daily lives of South Africans,” Mazibuko stressed, warning that despair must not replace hope.

Steering Committee: Next Steps in the Dialogue

A key objective of the Convention was to establish a 30-member Steering Committee to oversee the nationwide roll-out of the National Dialogue. The Steering Committee will guide dialogues at community and sectoral levels, ensuring grassroots ownership.

Initially, the Convention aimed to finalize the Committee’s composition. However, disagreements over the exclusion of certain sectors led to a compromise: delegates will submit names for consideration in the coming weeks.

The proposed structure of the Steering Committee includes:

• 22 sectoral representatives to guarantee broad-based inclusion.

• 3 representatives from the civil society Preparatory Task Team.

• 2 representatives from the Head of State to ensure coordination with the Convenor and Inter-Ministerial Committee.

• 3 co-opted members with specialized expertise to strengthen governance and support.

This compromise was widely accepted as a step towards inclusivity, while ensuring the process moves forward.

Towards a Citizen-Led Agenda for Change

Mazibuko concluded her remarks with a call to action:

“This dialogue is for the people, and it belongs to you. South Africa’s greatest strength lies not in the absence of challenges but in our collective determination to face them together. We can and will transform dialogue into lasting change for all South Africans.”

The outcomes of the Convention will now feed into a national agenda-setting process that places citizens at the centre of shaping solutions. With the Eminent Persons Group committed to steering the process and communities ready to lead, the National Dialogue is poised to become a defining platform for South Africa’s democratic renewal.