National Convention to go ahead despite challenges: Presidency – SABC News
The Presidency has confirmed that the first National Convention of the National Dialogue process will proceed on 15 August 2025, despite divisions within the interim Preparatory Task Team (PTT) over its readiness.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Presidency announced that the National Convention organising team has been restructured and reinforced with various social partners and civil society members. This change is intended to ensure that the convention takes place next Friday and that the National Dialogue process can begin.
“Ever since we announced the date of the first National Convention, South Africans from all parts of society have been getting ready to take part in the local conversations that will follow. There is a great desire to get involved and be heard,” it reads.
[LISTEN]: Presidential @SpokespersonRSA on the upcoming Convention of the National Dialogue pic.twitter.com/RANl6kYlBM
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 9, 2025
President Cyril Ramaphosa met with representatives of the Preparatory Task Team this week, amid concerns about internal divisions and the team’s readiness to deliver the event.
Despite calls from some stakeholders for a postponement, the President reaffirmed that the Convention will proceed – referring to it as a “call to action” for South Africans to take ownership of the country’s future.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
In preparation for the first National Convention of the National Dialogue process, President @CyrilRamaphosa met on Thursday 7 August 2025 with representatives of the interim Preparatory Task Team (PTT),… pic.twitter.com/TCuSwkoPjp
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 9, 2025
Co-chairperson of the Eminent Persons Group Prof Tinyiko Maluleke has described the process as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring all South Africans together to resolve our challenges and build a better future.”
The Convention is set to gather 200 organisations from 33 sectors to launch the National Dialogue, endorse its purpose, set discussion themes, agree on dialogue methods, and establish a representative Steering Committee to oversee its implementation.