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News

Call for young people’s voices to be amplified in National Dialogue

todayJune 11, 2025 41

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Leader and founder of Voice It In Action, Kgothatso Moloto, says he hopes the upcoming National Dialogue will provide a space for young people to be heard and empowered.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the dialogue will take place on the 15th of August.

The President has described this as an opportunity to forge a new social compact for the development of South Africa.

“The dialogue will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future. The National Dialogue is a chance for all South Africans, from all walks of life, to come together and help shape the next chapter of our democracy,” said the President.

Thirty two prominent figures have been appointed to lead the engagement including, Dr John Kani, Siya Kolisi, Justice Edwin Cameron, Bishop Barnabas Lekganyana and Gcina Mhlope, amongst others.

Moloto says he hopes the dialogue is an action plan that can move South Africa forward.

“Let’s rewrite the wrongs, rebuild a stronger, resilient and proud South Africa, free from unemployment, GBV and Femicide. The dialogue that helped us to overcome the apartheid era and to transition from the apartheid regime into what we now see as freedom, yes it is still missing certain aspects and I belive that building up from that particular dialogue, the next one will help us to deal with various issues, he says.

“Thirty years from now we need to be telling a different story of support, of how we were empowered to do what we are doing, what we have achieved in terms of making a difference in our communities.”

Moloto further made a clarion call to members of the public to be a part of the dialogue.

“We’ve shared many ideas through our the years, but are we getting the necessary support? There are some gaps and a dialogue can bridge these gaps that are evident.”

Not everyone shares the same optimism.

The leader of the Forum for South Africa (FOSA), Tebogo Mashilompane, slammed the dialogue as a wasteful exercise that will burden already strained public finances.

“There are laws in this country that just require the government to implement. We talk all the time about these issues, people complain everyday, kids are missing. Government must deal with all the problems that already exist.”

Mashilompane rejected the dialogue, claiming it would not move the country forward. Instead, he says, what is truly needed is the appointment of capable individuals to positions of power.

Political commentator, Goodenough Mashego, says the dialogue may prove to be useful if it is not turned into an expensive talk show.

Mashego says it needs to clear whether the outcomes of the dialogue will be binding.

He further highlighted that the agenda of the dialogue must be very clear.

“As things stand, it’s going to be impossible to have black, white, Indian, coloured etc. talking about the same thing. South African is not a same issue country where we can for example say, let talk about one national identity.”

He reiterated the words of former president, Thabo Mbeki, that South Africa is a country of two nations, one white, one black, one rich and one poor.

Political analyst, Professor Sam Koma, raised concern about the makeup of the team appointed to lead the dialogue.

Koma says it’s a missed opportunity on the side of the President, saying the gathering will not yield any tangible economic improvement in the country.

“Given the fundamental socio-economic conditions facing the country, one would have thought that the right people to lead the National Dialogue will compromise captains of industry, capital owners, including the capital market represented by multinational companies. These are major role players needed to converge with a purpose to consider unlocking economic opportunities, addressing poverty and inequalities afflicting many South Africans.”

Koma says given the fact that the key factors are missing from the team appointed, one shudders to think of the impact the convention will have in unraveling the grave issues plaguing the country.

Political parties have welcomed the President’s announcement, with strict conditions.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it will make sure that process is not utilised as a campaign tool for the ANC following its dismal performance at the polls last year.

The red berets have committed to participate in all aspects of this National Dialogue, including attendance in each and every government programme.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) says the initiative is long overdue.

“South Africans need an inspiring and shared vision for its economy.”

Some members of the public have come out scathing, saying the country doesn’t need a dialogue but rather jobs and lasting solution to the rise in crime, among other pressing issues.

 

 

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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