South Africa has embarked on a bold attempt to reshape its future, launching a national convention in Pretoria on August 15, 2025, that aims to unite leaders and citizens from across the spectrum of society. The initiative, described by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a turning point for the nation, comes at a moment of deep introspection. The country, now more than 30 years removed from its first democratic elections and the end of apartheid, finds itself grappling with persistent inequality, staggering unemployment, and the stubborn grip of crime and corruption.
The two-day gathering, often referred to as a "national dialogue," is designed as the first step in a process that will eventually reach all nine provinces. According to DW, the convention brings together representatives from government, business, civil society, and faith groups, with the ambitious goal of charting the country’s next three decades. Yet, even as the doors opened in Pretoria, the event was already facing turbulence—major players had pulled out, and questions swirled about its ultimate effectiveness.
President Ramaphosa, who announced the initiative in June after mounting pressure from civil society, has staked significant political capital on the project. He envisions the summit as an opportunity to tackle the country’s most entrenched challenges. "The national dialogue must be a place where everyone has a voice," Ramaphosa declared at the opening. "It will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future."
To guide the process, Ramaphosa appointed an Eminent Persons Group—an eclectic mix drawn from sport, the arts, religion, labour, and civic life. The group includes Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi, acclaimed actor John Kani (who starred in Black Panther), and former Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron. Their presence, the president hopes, will inspire trust and foster broad-based participation.
But the path to unity has been anything but smooth. In the days leading up to the convention, seven major foundations—including the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation—announced they were withdrawing from the initiative. Their concern? According to DW, they cited government control over the process and a timeline they viewed as rushed. For organizations that have long championed social justice and reconciliation, the decision to step away was not taken lightly. Their absence, some observers say, casts a shadow over the convention’s legitimacy.
Political fault lines have also become apparent. The Democratic Alliance (DA), the African National Congress’s (ANC) major coalition partner in the new Government of National Unity, has pulled out of the talks as well. The DA’s grievances are twofold: they objected to President Ramaphosa’s dismissal of one of their deputy ministers, and they questioned the reported $40 million price tag for the exercise. The DA has not minced words, dismissing the entire convention as an "expensive talk shop" and a waste of public funds. The official opposition, the MK Party, has also refused to participate, further highlighting the difficulties in achieving true inclusivity.
Despite these setbacks, the organizers have pressed on, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement. Supporters argue that, even with its flaws, the dialogue is a rare chance for ordinary South Africans to make their voices heard. The convention is structured to include not just high-profile leaders, but also political parties, civic organizations, and members of the public—both in-person and through virtual platforms. The process is expected to roll out in phases, reaching communities across all provinces, with the possibility of a second national convention early next year.
The stakes could hardly be higher. South Africa’s unemployment rate remains above 30%, among the highest in the world, according to reporting from both DW and other outlets. Economic growth has been sluggish for years, and the country’s hard-won gains in reducing poverty and expanding opportunity have stalled. Crime and corruption continue to erode public trust. The situation intensified after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 election, forcing the formation of a coalition government for the first time since the end of apartheid.
The historical resonance of the current moment is hard to ignore. Three decades ago, South Africa’s transition to democracy was hailed as one of the world’s great triumphs of negotiation and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela’s presidency set a tone of hope and inclusivity, and the country made real progress in easing racial tensions and extending basic services to millions. But as the years have passed, the promise of the Rainbow Nation has come under strain. Many South Africans now feel that the system is failing them, and that a new social contract is urgently needed.
Critics of the current process are not shy in voicing their skepticism. Some fear that the convention lacks clear goals and decisive follow-up. Without concrete outcomes, they argue, the dialogue risks becoming yet another exercise in rhetoric rather than real reform. The withdrawal of key stakeholders has only deepened these concerns. As one observer put it, "If the people who have been most invested in building social cohesion are not at the table, how meaningful can the conversation really be?"
Yet, for all the doubts, there is also a sense of cautious optimism among some participants. They point to the fact that the dialogue is taking place at all as evidence of a maturing democracy willing to confront its problems head-on. The inclusion of figures like Siya Kolisi and John Kani is seen as a nod to the power of cultural leaders to bridge divides and inspire hope. And the phased approach—reaching into every province and inviting input from all walks of life—could, if managed well, lead to a more inclusive and representative outcome.
President Ramaphosa, for his part, remains adamant that the process will be people-led and open to all voices. He has said repeatedly that the dialogue is not about quick fixes, but about laying the groundwork for a new national consensus. "It will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future," he reiterated at the summit’s opening.
As the convention unfolds, South Africa finds itself at a crossroads. The challenges are immense, and the divisions—political, social, and economic—run deep. But for a nation forged in the crucible of negotiation, the willingness to talk, listen, and dream together may yet prove to be its greatest asset. Only time will tell whether this latest dialogue will deliver the change so many desperately seek, or whether it will join the long list of missed opportunities. For now, the eyes of the country—and indeed, the world—are watching Pretoria, hoping for signs of a new beginning.