President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday urged women from all sectors of society to actively participate in South Africa’s upcoming national dialogue, describing their inclusion as essential to shaping the country’s future.
The first National Convention, scheduled for 15 August in Pretoria, will mark the formal launch of the dialogue process.
Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the national dialogue must be a space where women “raise their voices” and influence decisions that affect their lives.
“Women make up more than half of our country’s population. Women are affected by every political, social and economic issue in the country,” he said.
“No government decision should be made without due consideration of how it impacts women specifically.”
Ramaphosa noted that the dialogue must reflect the diversity of women’s experiences, including those of rural and urban communities, and women with disabilities.
He called for the mobilisation of women’s organisations to ensure broad representation across the structures guiding the process.
The convention aims to bring together over 200 organisations from 33 sectors to address South Africa’s pressing challenges, including poverty, unemployment and gender-based violence.
The national dialogue will lead to a second national convention in early 2026 to finalise a shared vision and action plan that will shape the next phase of the country’s National Development Plan and Vision 2030.
To oversee the process, Ramaphosa has appointed an Eminent Persons Group, including leaders from business, civil society, the church, sports and the arts such as Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba; national rugby team captain Siya Kolisi; former Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron; and peace activist Ela Gandhi.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, is coordinating the government’s role.
JN/APA