- The Presidency says the Eminent Persons Group to guide a national dialogue process is a fluid structure.
- Critics, including the EFF, oppose the group’s composition, alleging political bias, while others urge broader public participation and grassroots involvement.
- On Tuesday, Ramaphosa announced a national convention for 15 August, which will set the agenda for the national dialogue.
The Presidency says the Eminent Persons Group, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to guide and champion a national dialogue process, is “not cast in stone”.
This follows criticism of the list, which features prominent figures like Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and renowned actor Dr John Kani, among others.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told News24 that additional people might join the group as the process unfolded.
“Therefore, it’s not cast in stone. Furthermore, we should not be obsessed with individuals but rather look at the opportunity of what this dialogue means with respect to shaping the trajectory of our constitutional democratic dispensation,“ said Magwenya.
He added that the group was a fluid structure, stressing that its formation and existence were not part of the national dialogue and did not constitute its definition or actual execution.
On Tuesday night, Ramaphosa announced a national convention, which will take place on 15 August, that would set the national dialogue’s agenda.
He said the national dialogue, which would chart a way forward for the country, would drive progress towards Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of the country’s National Development Plan.
Former president Thabo Mbeki first proposed the national dialogue on the eve of the May 2024 general elections.
As the country marked 30 years of democracy, he envisioned a discussion on charting a new path to address several crises plaguing it.
To guide and champion the national dialogue, Ramaphosa announced an Eminent Persons Group.
Its members:
- Former Independent Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Brigalia Bam.
- Entrepreneur and businessperson Robbie Brozin.
- Former Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron.
- Former Northern Cape premier Manne Dipico.
- Banyana Banyana coach and football legend Dr Desiree Ellis.
- Peace activist Ela Gandhi.
- Researcher and rural activist Professor Nomboniso Gasa.
- Business leader Bobby Godsell.
- Award-winning actor Dr John Kani.
- Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.
- Miss South Africa 2024 Mia le Roux.
- The leader of the Zion Christian Church, His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane.
- St Engenas Zion Christian Church leader His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane.
- Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Reverend Thabo Makgoba.
- The chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke.
- Poet and teacher Dr Barbara Masekela.
- Former MP Lindiwe Mazibuko.
- Former minister and constitutional negotiator Roelf Meyer.
- Storyteller, writer, and actor Gcina Mhlope.
- Student activist and former MP Nompendulo Mkhatshwa.
- Grand Slam tennis champion Kgothatso Montjane.
- Former activist and educationist Professor Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu.
- Unionist and former Cosatu general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali.
- Traditional leader Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa.
- National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders chairperson Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo.
- Business leader Dr Gloria Serobe.
- Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
- Academic Professor Derrick Swartz.
- Author and early literacy expert Lorato Trok.
- Mountaineer and adventurer Sibusiso Vilane.
- Award-winning rocket scientist Siyabulela Xuza.
Ramaphosa said the spiritual leader of the Nazareth Baptist Church, uBaba uShembe uNyazi LweZulu, was invited to join the group but had not yet confirmed his availability because he was travelling.
An inter-ministerial committee, chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, has also been established to coordinate the government’s contribution to the national dialogue.
The government will establish a steering committee comprising representatives from various sectors of society to set strategic priorities and coordinate the implementation of the national dialogue process.
Ramaphosa said the secretariat responsible for managing national dialogue activities would be housed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council.
Magwenya added that the national dialogue was a powerful platform that would shape South Africa’s trajectory.
“Therefore, the ownership and success of the process belongs to all South Africans, not the EPG [Eminent Persons Group]. The EPG will only advise and guide the process to ensure it achieves the envisaged objectives. Undoubtedly, the individuals chosen so far represent the diversity of our country in all aspects of life.”
He said it was the most appropriate starting point to promote the national dialogue.
“In his announcement, the president articulated what all these individuals represent in our society and what their contribution will be in guiding the process. What remains is for all sectors, communities, individuals, and households to participate fully in the process to make it a success.
“Since 1994, we have continued to work towards achieving the South Africa we all want to see and live in. The shaping of our democratic order remains a work in progress. The national dialogue is thus an important instrument that will contribute to shaping our country’s future.”
To the critics, Magwenya stated: “What every responsible grouping in our society should be doing now is mobilise its constituencies to prepare for participation in the national dialogue.”
Ramaphosa’s announcement has been met with mixed reactions. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu welcomed it: “This initiative marks an important national effort to forge unity, rebuild trust, and renew the country’s collective commitment to social and economic transformation through inclusive dialogue.”
Bhengu added the ANC had always placed dialogue at the centre of its struggle for liberation and nation-building.
On Tuesday, the EFF said it rejected with contempt the individuals appointed to the group “as there was nothing eminent about most of the individuals”.
Most of the so-called eminent persons are ANC-aligned either by direct membership or through historical or current support of the sitting president and his internal political party ambitions. This further cements our position that this is a politically motivated ploy and patronage that rewards the mascots of the ANC and, in some instances, the CR17 campaign.
The EFF called for public participation in the nomination and selection of the Eminent Persons Group as this initiative would use public funds to execute its duties and should have an open and democratic selection process.
“As things stand, it is highly politicised either through direct association with the ANC or blatant support for the president himself in his various campaigns for leadership.
“We call on respectable faith-based leaders, namely His Grace Bishop Barbabas Lekganyane, His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane and uBaba uShembe uNyazi LweZulu to refuse to form part of a process that serves partisan agendas and not national interests,” it said.
The MK Party’s Nhlamulo Ndhlela added the party rejected the national dialogue as “a tone-deaf charade”.
“The so-called Eminent Persons Group, handpicked by the very same ruling class responsible for mass unemployment, deepening poverty, collapsing infrastructure, and the ongoing betrayal of the Freedom Charter, is a mockery of the suffering endured daily by millions of destitute and despondent South Africans.
“Where are the voices of the shack dwellers? The unemployed youth who roam the streets without hope? The single mothers hustling through informal trade to feed their children? The millions of forgotten South Africans whose only experience of this government is neglect, empty promises, and police brutality?”
GOOD party secretary-general Brett Herron said the national dialogue was long overdue. Herron added nearly a year had passed since political parties signed the statement of intent of the government of national unity, which explicitly committed to convening a national dialogue to tackle the country’s deep and urgent challenges.
“That commitment was made in good faith and in recognition of the need for collective action in the face of crises. The delay in giving effect to this promise has been frustrating, but the time for talking has finally arrived, and it must now be time for action, too,” he said.
Herron added that Ramaphosa’s recognition that South Africans from every sector of society “must have a voice in shaping our future is significant”.
However, he warned: “We must guard against a process that becomes performative or elite-driven. A truly people-led dialogue must reach beyond the boardrooms and podiums into townships, rural villages, informal settlements, and inner-city blocks, where the most urgent issues are felt most acutely.”
Herron commended the appointment of the Eminent Persons Group, whose experience and stature could help steward this process with integrity and inclusivity.
“They must facilitate, not overshadow, the voices of ordinary citizens, activists, and community leaders,” he said.
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