-
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address at the National Convention in Pretoria on August 15, 2025.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the first sitting of the National Convention as a platform to confront the realities of South Africa openly and constructively.
He is addressing the convention under way at the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) main campus in Pretoria on Friday.
The two-day citizen-led debate aims to address the challenges faced in the country.
Over a thousand delegates from government, civil society, business, and community members have gathered to discuss ways of improving the lives of South Africans.
Ramaphosa says, “Today marks the first sitting of the National Convention of the National Dialogue, a space where we confront our realities openly, respectfully and constructively. This is not a partisan platform. This is a national platform. Through the dialogue, we hope to arrive at a social compact that will outline the role and responsibilities of all of us as citizens, arms of the state, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious bodies, civil society, activist and civic organisations.”
He says South Africans will define the outcome of the Dialogue so that conversations can be drawn together into a clear vision for the country and an agreed programme of action.
Ramaphosa says, :Our task is to prepare for the thousands of public dialogues that will happen in communities across the country over the next six to eight months. This National Dialogue must be about citizens taking responsibility for their future. Through the dialogues, people must be able to attend to the challenges where they live or work or study.”
Gallery | The National Convention in pictures:
Turning point
University of South Africa’s (Unisa) Vice-Chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula has described the National Convention as a significant turning point in the history of South Africa.
LenkaBula highlighted the significance of today’s gathering.
She says, “Today is a day in which we set a process in motion to define the future that we South Africans, the world and the people of goodwill would want for us.”
“A process that will culminate in a comprehensive National Dialogue in which all South Africans can remake the South Africa of their dreams. A process in which we can build sufficient consensus on the vision, plans and outcomes we would like to see,” LenkaBula adds.
Earlier, proceedings were delayed by a medical emergency after a lady collapsed and was attended to by paramedics.
LIVE STREAM | National convention Day 1:
