Highlight on unemployment, poverty at Nationwide Dialogue at NWU – SABC Information

The North West University in partnership with Strategic Dialogue Group (SDG) and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation held inaugural discussions, where challenges such as the high unemployment rate, poverty and inequality were in the spotlight.

In his announcement, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the National Dialogue seeks to foster unity in South Africa and find collective solutions to the country’s complex challenges.

“The National Dialogue is a platform for all South Africans to craft a shared vision of the kind of a society we seek to build and agree on the actions we need to take to realise that vision. The dialogue will proceed as planned.”

~President @CyrilRamaphosa #AustriaInSA pic.twitter.com/hcB5O9fFBR

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 4, 2025

Residents in Potchefstroom have since called on the government to deal with the agonies of the apartheid regime whilst also tackling the country’s current challenges.

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation CEO, Adv Max Boqwana clarified what will happen with the outcomes of the National Dialogue.

“When all the views have been consolidated, it will be used to develop this national compact which will be the vision of the South Africa we want and then it will be adopted in the second national convention which will then depend on the verdict from parliament. However, the parties in parliament might rebel and say they will not be told by us what to do but our determination is that the national compact be taken for a referendum.”

Sibanye Still Water’s Richard Seward explains the importance of the mining industry playing a critical role in driving economic and social growth.

“As mining companies and as an industry, we are builders of infrastructure, significant capital investment. We are partners in education and health. We are supporters, promoters and developers of small businesses. We drive skills and technology development. Today, many of our operations provide water, sanitation, in many cases electricity, and safety for the communities within which we operate. Most recently, significant drives for the victims of gender-based violence.”