President Confirms Nominations to National Dialogue Steering Committee

Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed the nominations to the Steering Committee of the National Dialogue, marking a key milestone in the establishment of a citizen-led, inclusive process aimed at shaping South Africa's long-term social and economic future. The President, who is convenor of the National Dialogue, confirmed the nominations received from a wide range of social sectors in a statement on Thursday. According to South African Government News Agency, in line with his responsibility in terms of Section 83 of the Constitution to promote national unity, President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened an inclusive National Dialogue to address the challenges confronting the country. The Steering Committee will be responsible for setting strategic priorities and coordinating the implementation of the National Dialogue process across the country. The confirmation gives effect to a resolution of the First National Convention held on 15-16 August 2025, which agreed that all identified social sectors shou ld nominate representatives to serve on the Steering Committee. The decision was intended to ensure that the National Dialogue remains inclusive, representative and firmly citizen-led. Over recent months, organisations across 33 identified sectors and six sub-sectors convened meetings to identify nominees. The Presidency said every effort was made to ensure that no sector of society was excluded from the process. In addition to sectoral representatives, provision was made for the President to nominate two representatives, while the former Preparatory Task Team and Convention Organising Committee nominated additional members. The Steering Committee will also be able to co-opt up to five people with relevant expertise and experience to further strengthen inclusivity. The National Dialogue has been convened as a society-wide process to reflect on the country's challenges, develop a shared vision for the coming decades and agree on priority actions across sectors. Through this process, South Africa aims to forg e a new social compact that will unite all South Africans on the kind of socioeconomic development and transformation the country should undergo in the next decades. The Eminent Persons Group, appointed as guarantors of the integrity and inclusivity of the process, compiled the nominations from the various sectors and submitted them to the President for confirmation. The Steering Committee is expected to hold its inaugural meeting and induction early in January 2026. Once constituted, it will also assist sectors that have not yet completed their nomination processes. President Ramaphosa thanked all those who have made themselves available to serve. 'I wish all Steering Committee members well in undertaking this important task to advance the building of a free, equal, united and prosperous nation,' he said. The members of the Steering Committee include representatives from various sectors, such as National NGOs, Khoisan Leaders, Labour and Unions, Children, Sex Work, Government Departments, Health, Youth, P olitical Parties, Restorative Justice, Women, Small Businesses, LGBTQIA+, Arts, Faith-Based Organisations, Transport, Persons with Disabilities, Education, Sports, Media, Academia, and more. The nominees of the Convention Organising Committee are Boichoko Ditlhake and Tessa Dooms.