logo
R700m for National Dialogue will contribute to building a better SA, say organisers

R700m for National Dialogue will contribute to building a better SA, say organisers

Eyewitness News14-06-2025
JOHANNESBURG - With the National Dialogue estimated to cost about R700 million, the committee spearheading the initiative said this money would contribute to building a better South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the dialogue earlier this week, which is aimed at strengthening the country's democracy.
The committee spearheading the dialogue estimates that at least R700 million will be required to facilitate its rollout.
The dialogue will unfold through a series of public engagements across the country over a six to nine-month period.
Committee chairperson, Nkosinathi Biko, said that the dialogue would play a major role in bringing South Africans together for much-needed national conversations.
"When we dip our hands into our pockets on a Friday or Saturday, what are we buying with our R11? Can we, for the first time in 30 years, take just one R11 to put in that portfolio for our democracy and look after it?"
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US tariffs threaten local jobs, but we can still be competitive
US tariffs threaten local jobs, but we can still be competitive

IOL News

timean hour ago

  • IOL News

US tariffs threaten local jobs, but we can still be competitive

South Africa will be hit with a 30% tariff on all its exports to the United States from August 1, following a formal letter from US President Donald Trump to President Cyril Ramaphosa demanding action on trade imbalances and long-standing market restrictions. Image: Lee Rondganger/IOL As global trade tensions rise and the possible 30% US tariff could make international markets more volatile, local enterprises in Ekurhuleni can protect local jobs by being globally competitive and regionally focused. South Africa's export sectors, and especially mining and related services, will potentially lose competitiveness in the US should the 30% tariff on South African goods take effect on August 1. When South African goods become more expensive overseas due to a tariff, there is a decrease in demand for our goods. This hits exporters first, and the ripple effects land hard at home. Ekurhuleni is especially at risk – our metropole is the industrial heart of South Africa, with heavy engineering, metal manufacturing, the automotive industry and other similar industries driving local jobs and income. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ But rather than retreat, companies based right here in Ekurhuleni can adapt and diversify where possible. Local companies are aware of this threat and are planning their responses. As a local company, we are doing all we can to ensure we continue to deliver on our North American contracts, but also to ensure that we continue to develop avenues into other markets, including the rest of Africa. The foundry has been a vital part of Benoni since its founding in 1937. In such a long time, we have weathered many international storms. With such a long history in Ekurhuleni, our company also knows how valuable jobs and employment are to our community. In times of great volatility, our people-first approach has been a stabilising force, ensuring that workers are supported, retained, and empowered. That's why we must support industrial exporters in our region, from local city councillors to the national government. When we buy local, invest local, and push government to create trade conditions that protect our industries, we help keep factories open and workers employed. In a city built on manufacturing muscle and engineering skill, the fight for fair trade is the fight for our future. We cannot afford to let international tariffs silently steal jobs from our communities. We must recognise, support, and champion the companies that are holding the line. Because the cost of doing nothing is not measured in lost profits, it is measured in lost livelihoods. William Price Ekurhuleni

The Constitution's preamble on foreigners is misinterpreted
The Constitution's preamble on foreigners is misinterpreted

eNCA

timean hour ago

  • eNCA

The Constitution's preamble on foreigners is misinterpreted

JOHANNESBURG - Operation Dudula's clean-up in the Gauteng province continues, on Saturday the organisation raided hijacked buildings in Rosettenville, in the south of Johannesburg. The group forcibly removed undocumented foreign nationals who were occupying these buildings illegally. Operation Dudula denies having xenophobic motives, and says its actions are meant to stamp out crime and criminality. In the past weeks, the movement and other affiliated groups blocked the access of foreign migrants to hospitals and clinics in Gauteng and other provinces. These acts have led to intense clashes between these groups and foreigners in which police had to intervene and defuse the situation. Operation Dudula's President, Zandile Dabula says the country's preamble on foreigners is misinterpreted. She says South Africa is for South Africans and can only accommodate legal and documented foreigners.

SAPS intensifies probe into alleged Basotho Military Camps in South Africa
SAPS intensifies probe into alleged Basotho Military Camps in South Africa

IOL News

time3 hours ago

  • IOL News

SAPS intensifies probe into alleged Basotho Military Camps in South Africa

National commissioner of police, Lt-General Sehlahle Fannie Masemol says SAPS and Lesotho police are working together to investigate allegations of illegal camps, assuring South Africans that national safety and security remain the top priority. Image: Picture: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS The South African Police Service (SAPS) is intensifying efforts to dismantle organised crime operations and address recent allegations made by Lesotho's Police Commissioner, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, regarding possible illegal camps in South Africa. In a scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting, SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said he met with all nine provincial commissioners to assess and strengthen crime combating strategies nationwide. The BOC, the SAPS' highest decision-making structure, includes Provincial Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners, and the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. IOL previously reported that Lesotho authorities claim they have credible intelligence that Basotho nationals are being trained militarily on South African farms as part of a growing land reclamation campaign. The land in question includes areas of Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. The group allegedly involved, calling itself Malata Naha ('land reclaimers'), has reportedly recruited individuals of various ages, including some South African citizens. Matsoso told Newzroom Afrika that the programme has the potential to destabilise the region: 'We have discovered that [Basotho nationals] have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa… This is what we have come across,' he said. During the meeting, Masemola expressed satisfaction with recent progress, stating that organised crime syndicates are being "dismantled, dislodged, displaced and arrested." A preliminary report from SAPS Crime Intelligence was tabled, addressing the cross-border crime concerns raised by Advocate Matsoso. Intelligence structures have reportedly 'heightened their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and take down such illegal activities,' said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe in a statement. The DPCI's Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit has been deployed to investigate these allegations. According to the SAPS, 'Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms and no such evidence has been found to date.' Mathe said Masemola has reached out to the Lesotho Police Chief, where the two commissioners discussed the allegations made by Advocate Matsoso. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading ''Both commissioners agreed that both law enforcement agencies intelligence structures are on the ground to investigate the existence of such camps,'' she said. 'General Fannie Masemola assures all people living in South Africa that the safety and security of the people of SA is of paramount importance and anyone who is found to be in the country committing illegal acts will face the full might of the law,'' said Mathe. She added: 'To this effect, intelligence structures and operatives are on the ground to establish facts.' The situation stems from a long-standing territorial dispute. Lesotho MP and leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, Dr Tshepo Lipholo, has been at the forefront of the push to reclaim areas from South Africa. He was recently arrested in Lesotho and charged with sedition and incitement after allegedly calling for armed struggle and declaring himself the 'paramount chief of Basotholand'. Audio clips reportedly circulating on social media support these claims. Although Lipholo travelled to the United Nations earlier this year to submit a land claim, Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the trip, clarifying that it was not sanctioned by the Maseru government. Lesotho's Prime Minister Samuel Matekane has since confirmed the state's concern, stating the campaign threatens peace and national stability. Citizens have been urged to remain calm. 'South Africans are urged not to panic or worry as police from both countries remain on high alert,' Mathe said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store