By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened the inaugural meeting of the Eminent Persons Group to kickstart a critical national dialogue aimed at addressing South Africa’s persistent challenges.
The President announced the appointment of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to guide and champion the National Dialogue.
The EPG consists of prominent individuals in society with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation- building. The Eminent Persons are drawn from across the country and from many fields of endeavour in our public life.
The members include former Independent Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Brigalia Bam; former Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron; Banyana Banyana coach and football legend Dr Desiree Ellis; researcher and rural activist Professor Nomboniso Gasa; Springbok captain and world champion Siya Kolisi; leader of the Zion Christian Church Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane; Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba; chairperson of the National Planning Commission Professor Tinyiko Maluleke; student activist and former Member of Parliament Nompendulo Mkhatshwa and business leaders Dr Gloria Serobe and Bobby Godsell.
Ramaphosa met with them at the Union Buildings, where he told them that they should not be surprised if there is “scepticism or disinterest” from some quarters.
He explained that in the wake of government’s engagements with various entities, there was broad agreement to convene a National Dialogue, given the challenges facing the country.
Ramaphosa pointed out that Friday’s meeting marked the start of the work of the Eminent Persons Group, which he said promised to be “challenging and rewarding”.
“As the Eminent Persons Group comes to understand its role and set out its tasks, we must recognise and appreciate the long road and the hard work that has brought us to this point,” he said.
He stressed that the Eminent Persons Group were not being asked to represent any constituency or organisation.
“You are being called upon to use your experience, acumen and energy to give South Africans confidence that participation in the National Dialogue can help to advance their interests and secure their future.
“We are asking you Eminent Persons to be champions of the National Dialogue, not cheerleaders,” he said.
The Eminent Persons are expected to critically consider the progress and the conduct of the National Dialogue, and provide advice where correction is required.
“If there are people being left out, we ask you to raise it. If there is confusion or misunderstanding or disarray, we ask you to help correct it. If there are groups that seek to commandeer the process, we ask that you alert us,” he urged.
Ramaphosa believes the National Dialogue is an opportunity to mobilise South Africans to address challenges and restore the country to the path of transformation, development and progress.
He urged that the Group ought to ensure the outcomes of the National Dialogue could be institutionalised in a manner that “informed and guided” the direction the country took.
The Labour Party of South Africa has launched an urgent High Court application to interdict Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue process, arguing that it is “unconstitutional, irrational, fiscally irresponsible”, and excludes the working class.
ActionSA has called for the proposed National Dialogue to be halted, while Government of National Unity (GNU) member, the Democratic Alliance, has withdrawn from the Dialogue, a decision it made following Ramaphosa’s removal of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield from the GNU Cabinet.
Ramaphosa claimed there was already misinformation and misrepresentation on the cost of the National Dialogue and on who was leading it.
“But that should not distract us from the work we have to do to give a platform to the millions of voices in our country, so that they may be heard and so that they may be counted,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the Eminent Persons Group should not fear criticism, but they should rather welcome it.
He said criticism was a signal that South Africans care about the country and were invested in its future.”Most critics want a National Dialogue that is effective and inclusive,” he added.
He noted that dissenting voices made the debate richer and should make the outcomes more robust and meaningful.
He pointed out that the convening of a National Dialogue was endorsed by the ten political parties that constitute the GNU in their Statement of Intent and is incorporated into government’s Medium Term Development Plan.