ANC Endorses Ramaphosa’s Call for National Dialogue Ahead of Historic Convention

(The post News)- The African National Congress (ANC) has officially welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent announcement regarding the convening of a National Dialogue and a National Convention, scheduled to take place on 15 August 2025. The party praised the initiative as a vital step toward restoring unity, rebuilding public trust, and renewing national commitment to inclusive social and economic transformation.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the ANC said the initiative spearheaded by a newly appointed Eminent Persons Group represents a bold and necessary move to engage all South Africans in charting a new path for the nation.

“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,” the party said.

The announcement comes in a symbolic year for the ANC and the country, as 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, first adopted in 1955 at the historic Congress of the People in Kliptown. The ANC described the Freedom Charter as a cornerstone of its vision for a united, democratic, and just society. The party emphasized the continued relevance of the Charter’s declaration that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.”

“It is fitting that, in this milestone year, our nation recommits to the Charter’s democratic spirit by launching a people-led National Dialogue,” the statement continued.

Highlighting its own long-standing tradition of dialogue from anti-apartheid negotiations to post-liberation consensus-building the ANC reaffirmed its belief in dialogue as the foundation of nation-building.

The ruling party also praised the inclusive nature of the dialogue process and expressed confidence in the integrity and capability of the Eminent Persons Group tasked with guiding it.

“The participation of all sectors of society will ensure that the Dialogue reflects the hopes, frustrations, and aspirations of the South African people,” it said.

Calling on all South Africans including its own members, alliance partners, and civil society formations the ANC urged active participation in the National Dialogue, framing it as an opportunity to forge a new social compact anchored in shared responsibility and democratic values.

“As we mark seven decades of the Freedom Charter, we recommit ourselves to its vision and values, and to working with all South Africans to build a future founded on freedom, dignity, and unity in diversity,” the party concluded.

The National Dialogue is expected to bring together voices from across political, economic, and social sectors to address deep-rooted challenges and collectively shape a new national vision for South Africa’s future.