Msimang calls for urgent action on SA’s challenges, unemployment

Casual workers display posters advertising their skills at an intersection in Kempton Park, near Johannesburg, South Africa, October 1, 2020.

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Struggle stalwart Mavuso Msimang says there is a sense of urgency in South Africa to tackle the challenges that the country is facing, especially the high unemployment rate.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that a National Convention will take place on August 15, 2025, to set the agenda for a national dialogue on the country’s challenges.

He says all sectors of society will be given a voice to determine how problems should be addressed and how to build a better country for future generations.

Msimang says an inclusive dialogue is crucial because the situation in the country is dire.

He says, “The situation is really bad, you see it in the streets, people are poor. Statistics indicate that there has been an increase in unemployment, and I was glad that the President spoke about how unemployment is high among young people. So there’s a real need, I don’t think we should allow this not to be successful.”

National Dialogue to unfold in phases: Ramaphosa

Inter-ministerial committee

Ramaphosa says his Deputy, Paul Mashatile, will chair the inter-ministerial committee, which will coordinate the government’s contribution to the national dialogue.

“An inter-ministerial committee has been established under the chairpersonship of the Deputy President to coordinate the government’s contribution to the national dialogue.”

“We will be establishing a steering committee comprised of representatives of various sectors of society to set strategic priorities and coordinate implementation of the national dialogue process. The Secretariat, which is responsible for day-to-day management of national dialogue activities, will be housed at Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour Council).” –Additional reporting by Sibahle Motha.