PRETORIA – Eminent Persons Group say they want more than just talk — they want strategy, action, timelines, and results from the much-anticipated National Dialogue.
The group appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa are currently attending the National Convention which kicks off today at UNISA’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria. The event is expected to run until 16 August.
Founding executive director of the Zabalaza Pathways Institute, Mazibuko Jara hopes that the discussions on day one will focus heavily on unemployment — reframing the problem and finding practical solutions for communities on the ground.
He says the goal is to equip people, especially in townships, with the tools and confidence to create economic opportunities for themselves.
“We want to look at wow to mobilise huge human resources in the country to address the unemployment crisis, but also how do you get the government so that the money that it allocates can create jobs but also bring the private sector on board to create jobs,” he says.
The conversation isn’t limited to unemployment.
According to Dr John Kani who is also part of the Eminent Persons Group there have been too much talks about issues like teenage pregnancy, taxi violence, school dropouts, gender-based violence, and corruption — without concrete action.
Now he says there must be an action strategy that has an outcome.
The gathering, seen as a precursor to the National Dialogue, aims to bring together political parties, civil organisations, and other stakeholders to address South Africa’s most pressing challenges.
However, not everyone is on board. Former President Thabo Mbeki’s foundation, ActionSA, and the Freedom Front Plus have withdrawn, questioning the credibility of the process.
Political analyst Brutus Malada says the success of any dialogue of such magnitude hinges on public participation but also inclusivity.
But where there are people or structures that feel they are left out, such a dialogue won’t be seen as being inclusive and its impact may be very minimal.
But despite this he hope the dialogue will still keep a seat for those who have withdrawn