South Africa: Presidency clarifies role of foundations in the National Dialogue preparations

The Presidency has noted various media reports on the National Dialogue that are based on incorrect or incomplete information.
In this regard, the Presidency wishes to clarify the following:
The National Dialogue is to be an inclusive process in which all South Africans will have an opportunity to participate as individuals or through organised formations.
The first National Convention to enable an all-inclusive process will be convened on 15 August 2025 to set the agenda for the National Dialogue. This will be followed by discussions across the country, in various sectors and on issues that citizens feel deserve national attention. These will then be grouped into agenda themes for national engagement. A second National Convention will be held in the beginning of 2026 where these discussions will be consolidated into a common national vision and implementation programme.
The Eminent Persons Group has been appointed to champion the National Dialogue and to provide guidance to ensure that the process is inclusive and credible. It is comprised of respected individuals who have played and continue to play an important role in various areas of our national life. The Eminent Persons Group will not be responsible for the day-to-day running of activities.
Preparations for the National Convention and other activities are currently being undertaken by a National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team made up of representatives from various foundations, civil society organisations and the Presidency. The National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team has been working for close to a year on developing the form and approach to the National Dialogue. This team will remain seized with the practical arrangements for the National Dialogue until a representative Steering Committee has been established.
Media reports that certain foundations belonging to the stalwarts of the liberation struggle have been sidelined or overlooked are inaccurate. These foundations, together with other civil society formations that were part of the initial work, remain centrally involved in the Preparatory Task Team.
Over the next few weeks, the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team will undertake a series of information sessions and consultations with a range of stakeholders in preparation for the first National Convention on 15 August 2025.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Zawya

8 hours ago

• Zawya

Egypt assumes vice presidency of the International Gas Union, paving the way for 2028 presidency

Mohamed Fouad: The Egyptian Gas & Energy Association has launched an advisory council comprising senior leaders from both public and private sectors and international partners. Karim Shaaban: We aim to enhance internal integration among the IGU's committees to ensure its initiatives align with member states' priorities. Cairo — For the first time ever, Egypt has officially assumed the position of Vice President of the International Gas Union (IGU) through the Egyptian Gas & Energy Association. This step paves the way for Egypt's upcoming presidency of the next triennium (2028-2031). This role reflects increasing international confidence in Egypt's capabilities to effectively contribute to shaping the future of global energy, marking it as the first country from Africa and the Middle East to hold this prestigious position. Eng. Khaled AbuBakr, Chairman of the Egyptian Gas & Energy Association (EGEA), has taken up the role of IGU Vice President. In this capacity, he participates in all meetings and activities of the IGU and the Executive Committee. He also represents the IGU in the ongoing gas debates, such as the G7, G20, and UN Climate Change Conferences, in addition to the major international conferences, to advance its strategic vision and enhance its global influence. Eng. Mohamed Fouad, Secretary General of EGEA, serves as the Egyptian Presidency Team Director for the IGU, in addition to his role as Chair of the National Organization Committee for the 2031 World Gas Conference (WGC), which is to be held in Egypt. Meanwhile, Eng. Karim Shaaban, Head of the Strategy and Planning Committee of EGEA, holds the position of Vice Chair of the Coordination Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the IGU. His responsibilities include overseeing the work of the IGU's committees and contributing to the preparation and submission of the Triennial Work Programme (TWP) to the Executive Committee. In this context, Eng. Khaled AbuBakr, Vice President of the IGU and Chairman of EGEA, stated: 'From Egypt and Africa, we embark to power the whole world with secure and clean energy. This leadership role represents a significant step through which we intend to enhance energy security by developing gas policies and infrastructure, improving the Gas industry's resilience to price volatility, providing necessary investments, and accelerating the transition towards more sustainable energy sources. We are fully committed to coordinating with the Italian Presidency of the IGU to ensure the Union's objectives are achieved during this phase.' Abubakr added: 'Through this position, we aim to transform the Egyptian experience into an international model to be emulated. This role enables Egypt to strengthen international cooperation and attract investment, supporting its pursuit of sustainable development and solidifying its role as a regional energy hub. We deeply appreciate the Egyptian government's support in securing this nomination.' Eng. Mohamed Fouad, Secretary General of the Egyptian Gas & Energy Association (EGEA), also outlined the Association's expanded strategy, which extends beyond natural gas to include low-carbon technologies and renewable energy. This expansion stems from the EGEA's strong belief in the importance of a balanced and inclusive energy transition. Fouad added, "The Association has launched its new Advisory Board, comprising a distinguished group of senior leaders from both the public and private sectors, as well as international partners operating in Egypt's energy and gas sector. The private sector will provide deep insights into market trends and investment opportunities, while the public sector will ensure initiatives align with regulatory policies." For his part, Eng. Karim Shaaban, Vice Chair of the Coordination Committee and member of the Executive Committee of the IGU, and Head of the Strategy and Planning Committee of EGEA, stated: "Through this committee, we aim to enhance internal integration among the IGU's committees and working groups, ensuring its initiatives align with member states' priorities. We also contribute to preparing the program for the 2028 World Gas Conference and collaborate with the leadership of the R&D and Innovation Committee to formulate sessions for the International Gas Research Conference (IGRC). These efforts contribute to elevating the Union's standing in the global gas industry." As a result of winning the presidency of the International Gas Union (IGU) for the 2028-2031 term, Egypt is set to host the 31st edition of the World Gas Conference (WGC) in 2031, marking the IGU's centenary anniversary. This event stands as the global gas and energy industry's most significant gathering, convening top experts and decision-makers to delve into the sector's primary challenges and opportunities. Hosting the WGC will underscore Egypt's leadership in energy transition and technological innovation, along with its initiatives to establish a regional green energy hub, ultimately bolstering its standing as a prime destination for investment and tourism.

Zawya

a day ago

• Zawya

Kirsty Coventry Unveils Collaborative & Inclusive International Olympic Committee (IOC) Leadership Vision at First Public Media Roundtable

In her first major media appearance since being elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry offered a strikingly human portrait of the leader she intends to be: humble, collaborative, and unwaveringly grounded in the values of sport, equity, and Olympism, as she addressed international media during an online open roundtable on Zoom this afternoon. FIRST WOMAN&AFRICAN Speaking candidly for over an hour, the Zimbabwean reflected on the life journey that brought her from the pools of Harare to the corridors of Olympic power in Lausanne. Her presidency, set to begin officially on Olympic Day, 23 June 2025, will mark a historic moment as she becomes the first woman and first African to lead the IOC. GROUNDED LEADERSHIP Coventry made it clear that her leadership will not be rooted in authority, but in consensus and a collaborative, human-centred vision: 'In both my personal and professional career, I've always had incredible people around me to keep me grounded and humble; those are people whom I will continue to keep around me.' She added: 'Values are at the core of our daily business, they're incredibly important in today's communities, and I hold this very close to my heart.' WHY IOC FORUMS MATTER Replying to a question from Japan's Wakako Yuki on the role of IOC Forums in attribute Conventry's vision as president, "I have a vision that I would like to see, but I want to do it in a collaborative way. The Athletes Forum, eSport, Olympism365, the two ASOIF and WOF General Assemblies have been great platforms to listen to people, to hear topics that are important to them." 2ND MEDIA ROUNDTABLE IN SIGHT Coventry announced that immediately following the IOC Session on June 23-24, she has invited members to stay for a two-day 'pause and reflect' workshop, an opportunity for honest dialogue about the IOC's challenges and future direction: "I've invited the IOC members to stay two extra days so that I can hear what is on their mind and what they see as our opportunities and what they may see as our challenges, as we move into the future and come up with different ideas. This is the first point in a longer consultation process with all stakeholders, including yourselves as media, where we'll create another round table where I'll get to ask you all a bunch of questions. That will strengthen the Olympic movement in a collaborative way." VALUES CARRIED TO IOC PRESIDENCY Nadine Hassan from Jordan asked Kirsty, looking back on her journey, from Olympic champion to minister and now IOC President, which moments off the podium had the greatest impact in shaping the person she is today? "I'll need a moment to properly reflect on this. I think I'd have to go back to my roots. Growing up in Zimbabwe played a huge role. It's a small community in many ways. We're a big country geographically, but we're just 15 million people, and we lean on each other. "I think that kind of upbringing, maybe a bit more sheltered, surrounded by strong values and close-knit support, helped me understand the importance of having grounded, humble, genuine people around me. And it's those people who've consistently reminded me of where I come from. That's been one of the most powerful influences throughout my journey. CHALLENGES, AND DIFFICULT MEN.. New York Times reporter Tariq Panja referenced Coventry's previous remarks about dealing with 'difficult men.' She smiled knowingly and recounted the pressures she faced as a young Olympic medallist representing Zimbabwe during politically turbulent times: "As athletes, we had a lot of pressure coming from different government officials in Zimbabwe, and you know, it was hard. To look at others and trying to say, I'm an athlete, I don't believe in the politics in sport. I want to just focus on performing well," She said, without names mentioned, 'Looking back now, it taught me a lot about how to work with people, how to be respectful of differing opinions and still move forward on a shared agenda." WOMEN SUPPORT WOMEN USA's Rachel Axon asked, How has your career been shaped by other women at various career points, adding the gender equality initiatives to your role as female IOC President. Conventry highlighted the women who shaped her path, from her mother and grandmother to her university head swim coach, even Olympic trailblazers like Donna de Varona: She said,"My grandfather passed away when Mom was in her late teens. And so my grandmother was a single mom for most of her life, with three kids, and both were just incredibly strong women who raised families, and I think my mom's pretty great, and my uncle and aunt. She did a great job, but she also had a successful career in fashion. My mum got to see her doing that, so she was always an incredible role model for my sister and I." She adds: "My swim coach, Kim, who became a Division I coach while her husband was deployed overseas, with two very young kids, watching how she balanced that was inspiring. When we were preparing for the 2004 Olympics, her eldest came to Athens as a baby.. Again, I've been fortunate in my life to have very strong women around me who have shown me that it's possible. It's not always easy, but it's possible," noting her hope to pay that inspiration forward, especially for her two daughters. AFRICAN HERITAGE A question from China's Mandan Zhu touched on Coventry's rich international background and the impact of her African heritage, coming from Harare to Lausanne as a little girl with big dreams,"I can remember exactly where I was standing in my parents' living room. I was still in my swimsuit, feeling cold after swimming in the pool, only to stand in front of the TV and watch divers compete. I would say that there's never a dream too big. "You know, where there is a will to achieve, there's a way. And don't let someone talk you out of having that dream of what could be the best thing that happens to you. It's quite powerful." WEIGHT OF BEING 'FIRST' British journalist Jamie Gardner asked Coventry about the significance of becoming the IOC's first female president at this particular moment in history. While she admitted it wasn't something she initially focused on, the outpouring of messages from women around the world has since left a powerful mark: 'I had a coworker tell me that his mum said, 'Never in my lifetime did I think I'd see a woman lead the movement you work for.'' That moment, she admitted, hit her deeply. 'It's not just an exciting day, it's a day with a lot of responsibility.' FROM SYDNEY TO BRISBANE Australia, particularly the Sydney 2000 Games, remains a defining touchstone for Coventry's Olympic journey. Asked about her journey coming full circle, from a wide-eyed young swimmer at Sydney 2000 to President for Brisbane 2032, Coventry shared a funny tale about struggling to put on her first Speedo sharkskin suit, helped up by none other than Australian legend Susie O'Neill: 'When we arrived in Sydney, I went into the changing room to try my Speedo suit on, and it turned into a total disaster. I had one leg in, was struggling to get the other in, lost my balance completely, and toppled over. Mortifying. Then this amazing person next to me leans down to help, and as I look up, I realise… It's Susie. I never forget that moment because she was a role model to me, those Games, changed everything for me,' she recalled. 'Now I hope Brisbane will show the world the warmth and passion of Australia, and inspire the next generations like Sydney did for me.' LIFTING VOICES As the media roundtable with IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry progressed, her clarity of purpose sharpened further. In a movement often shaped by the world's most powerful nations, Coventry made a point of bringing attention to her roots, and how they shape her priorities: 'I come from a much smaller NOC, a developing country,' she said of Zimbabwe. 'And I understand the challenges our athletes face. How do we close that gap? How do we ensure that athletes from all walks of life, if not with the same opportunities, at least have equal opportunities?' Coventry affirms that she intends to elevate voices often left on the margins. Her presidency, she hinted, will focus as much on inclusion as it will on innovation. LEARNING FROM YOUNG GENERATIONS Perhaps the most poignant reminder of who Coventry is, and who she intends to be as IOC President, came when she spoke about her own children. 'They're a daily reminder of our responsibility to keep sport relevant, and to listen, really listen, to what young people think is important. Kids are honest,' she said with a smile. 'And sometimes that's a very good thing.' Her two young daughters, she explained, are constant reminders that sport must remain relevant and engaging for younger generations. Despite the gravity of her new role, Coventry remains adamant about keeping her family grounded: 'We won't be staying in the Lausanne Palace. I want my kids to grow up doing the same things I did, making their beds, doing house chores, and just being kids.' ROAD AHEAD As Kirsty Coventry prepares to officially assume the role on June 23, her message is one of optimism, inclusivity, and integrity. With the weight of history on her shoulders and the wind of lived experience at her back, she is poised not just to lead the Olympic Movement but to reshape it for the modern age, starting by one athlete, one story, one honest conversation at a time. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

Zawya

2 days ago

• Zawya

Central African Republic: Breakthrough as ex-combatants of rebel group are convicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity but trial tarnished by absence of four defendants

Reacting to the news that the Special Criminal Court has convicted six former combatants of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic (Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique) for crimes against humanity and war crimes, Alice Banens, Legal Adviser at Amnesty International, said: 'The decision handed down by the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in the Ndélé 2 case represents a breakthrough in the fight against impunity for serious crimes committed in the Central African Republic. Light has been shed on the atrocities committed in Ndélé in March 2020. 'However, four of the six people found guilty and given heavy sentences were convicted in absentia. Amnesty International considers that the defendant's right to be present at their trial, to prepare their defence with their lawyer, and to address the Court directly are pillars of the right of defence, without which there can be no fair trial. 'Several suspects who are accused of serious crimes and subject to arrest warrants from the SCC are still at large. This situation continues to deprive victims of their right to truth, justice and effective reparation. The execution of arrest warrants is essential if the fight against impunity is not to be selective.' Background In the Ndélé 2 case, six defendants were found guilty of crimes against humanity, including murder, attempted murder, inhuman acts and persecution, and war crimes, and sentenced to between 18 and 25 years' imprisonment. In March 2020, the town of Ndélé, in the north-east of the country, was attacked by members of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic, an armed group from the former Séléka coalition. The violence left dozens dead and displaced hundreds of people. The Special Criminal Court is a hybrid court set up in the Central African Republic in 2018. It is composed of Central African and non-Central African judges and personnel. It was created to investigate, prosecute and judge the most serious crimes committed since 2003. The Ndélé 2 case is the third to be heard by the SCC since the effective start of its judicial work, following the Paoua and Ndélé 1 cases. In 2020 and 2021, Amnesty International published two reports analyzing the challenges facing the SCC. The organization called for increased support for the Court and greater transparency. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.