00:01South Africa is launching a sweeping national dialogue to confront the country's biggest challenges,
00:06including poverty, inequality, corruption, and an unemployment rate above 30%.
00:12The two-day convention in Pretoria marks the start of what President Cyril Ramaphosa calls a soul-searching process
00:19involving civic groups, political parties, and ordinary citizens.
00:23It follows the ANC's loss of its parliamentary majority in the 2024 election,
00:28which led to the formation of a coalition government.
00:31Ramaphosa says the talks are meant to be inclusive and led by the people.
00:35He's appointed an eminent persons group made up of respected figures,
00:39such as rugby captain Sia Kalosi, actor John Carney, and former judge Edwin Cameron.
00:46The initiative has faced criticism.
00:48The Democratic Alliance withdrew after a political dispute and called the talks a waste of public funds.
00:54The MK party is also refusing to participate.
00:56There are concerns over the estimated $40 million cost,
01:01and some accuse the ANC of using the dialogue to boost its image ahead of local elections.
01:06The dialogue will continue in phases across all nine provinces,
01:10with another convention likely early next year.
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