Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for women to lead the National Dialogue process, emphasising that they must be at the forefront as the country holds the first National Convention set to be held this week, in his weekly Presidential newsletter on Monday.
The convention, part of the broader National Dialogue initiative, is scheduled for 15 to 17 August 2025 at the ZK Matthews Hall on the University of South Africa (UNISA) campus in Pretoria. It will bring together 200 organisations from 33 different sectors across the country, aiming to foster unity and address key challenges like poverty, inequality, unemployment, and climate change. Ramaphosa highlighted the timing during Women’s Month, noting: “On Friday this week, organisations from across South Africa will gather at the National Convention in Pretoria to kickstart the National Dialogue process. Given the history of women’s struggles in our country, it is therefore to be expected that at this critical moment in our history, women will once again come to the fore and participate actively National Dialogue process.”
Women’s Critical Role in National Progress
Women make up more than half of South Africa’s population, making their contributions essential to any national effort, the President said. “Women are affected by every political, social and economic issue in the country. Likewise, every crisis, whether it is unemployment, crime or climate change, affects women equally and, in some instances, more than men,” he explained. He urged women’s groups and organisations to mobilise around the process, while assuring that government is committed to ensuring equal representation across all structures.
Ramaphosa stressed the need for diverse voices: “we have to ensure that all women are represented” if every sector’s voice is to be heard. “This means a concerted effort to mobilise young and old, urban and rural dwellers, women from different ethnic and linguistic communities, women with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people.” He noted that struggles vary—rural women face different challenges from urban ones, such as access to resources and services. This point echoed findings from last year’s South African Women’s Pre-National Dialogue by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, which called for reflecting diverse perspectives in the process.
Honouring Historical Struggles and Achievements
The call comes during Women’s Month, commemorating the 1956 march of 20,000 women against pass laws, led by icons like Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. Ramaphosa praised women’s historical role: “From the protests against the pass laws, to the so-called beer-hall protests of 1959, to the rent boycotts of the 1980s, to the contemporary protest movements against gender-based violence, South African women have a proud history of standing up and being counted.”
He linked this to modern efforts, noting women’s influence on the Freedom Charter’s gender equality clauses through the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) in 1954, and the Women’s National Coalition’s role in 1992 to embed these in the Constitution. “The inclusion of the gender equality clauses in the Freedom Charter was heavily influenced by the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) formed in 1954. More than three decades later, the Women’s National Coalition, which was formed in 1992, played a formative role in ensuring that these passages were reflected in South Africa’s democratic constitution,” the President recalled.
On National Women’s Day, 9 August 2025, Ramaphosa addressed a commemoration in Tzaneen, Limpopo, under the theme “Building Resilient Economies for All”. He urged acceleration of women’s economic role and tackling barriers, saluting their contributions to socio-economic development.
Government Commitments and Broader Context
As government, Ramaphosa committed to partnerships ensuring women’s inclusion. This aligns with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), focusing on justice, safety, and coordination. The dialogue, announced in February 2025’s State of the Nation Address, follows the May elections where the ANC lost its majority, leading to the Government of National Unity (GNU). It aims to build a social compact addressing crises through inclusive talks.
Preparations advanced after Ramaphosa met the Eminent Persons Group on 7 August 2025, despite withdrawals from legacy foundations over transparency concerns. The President assured the convention will proceed, adapting for full participation.
“With the first National Convention taking place during Women’s Month, we call on all sectors of society to come together to ensure the full participation of all women in the National Dialogue. This would be the most fitting and powerful tribute to the legacy of the pioneers of 1956,” he concluded.
South Africa’s gender landscape shows progress—42% of MPs are women, ranking high globally—but challenges persist, with women facing higher unemployment (35%) and GBV rates. The dialogue offers a platform to amplify women’s voices, ensuring diverse representation for lasting change. As the convention nears, focus turns to mobilising women, honouring their history while shaping the future.
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