South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for unity in addressing the country’s persistent economic and social challenges, inaugurating a national dialogue expected to last six to nine months. Speaking at a congress in Tshwane attended by over 1,000 delegates, Ramaphosa stressed the need to repair “many things that are broken” in the country, including unemployment above 33% and one of the world’s worst inequality rates. Organisers have also prioritised tackling high crime levels and advancing land reform, with most farmland still owned by the white minority.

The African National Congress has promoted the dialogue as a “conversation for a brighter future,” but critics — including the Democratic Alliance — have rejected it as wasteful and ineffective, vowing not to take part. Former president Thabo Mbeki and other key figures expressed concerns over the rushed process and the allocation of funds for the initiative.

Ramaphosa urged all 63 million South Africans to contribute to building a shared national vision that is “bold enough to inspire and practical enough to implement.” He emphasised that the diversity of the country’s population should be a strength in finding sustainable solutions to long-standing issues, three decades after the end of apartheid.