South Africa starts a soul-searching 'national dialogue' about poverty, inequality and other issues

Africanews (in English)

South Africa starts a soul-searching 'national dialogue' about poverty, inequality and other issues  South African is starting a “national dialogue” Friday that is meant to bring all sectors of society together to discuss the country’s most pressing issues and find solutions.  READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/08/16/south-africa-starts-a-soul-searching-national-dialogue-about-poverty-inequality-and-other-  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

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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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