National Dialogue a tribute to women pioneers of 1956 - Ramaphosa

Ahead of the controversial upcoming first National Convention as part of the National Dialogue process, President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the full participation of women from all sectors of society.

He wrote in his weekly letter to the nation, that with the first National Convention taking place during Women's Month, it would be a powerful tribute to the legacy of the pioneers of 1956.

"Recognising that the lives of women are bound up with the future of the nation, government is counting on women's groups and organisations to mobilise around the National Dialogue process," he said.

Ramaphosa wrote that given the history of women's struggles in the country, it was expected that they participate actively in the National Dialogue process.

On Friday, organisations from across South Africa will gather at the National Convention in Pretoria to kickstart the National Dialogue process.

Ramaphosa said government had committed to ensuring that women were equally represented across the process.

"Women make up more than half of our country's population. 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 said.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that the challenges facing rural women and women in traditional communities differed from those of women in urban areas with access to education, resources and public services.

He stressed the Government of National Unity's commitment to ensuring that gender was mainstreamed in all government policy and that a "gendered lens" was consistently considered.

"No government decision should be made without due consideration of how it impacts women specifically," he added.

Last week, seven prominent legacy foundations withdrew from the structures of the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team and the related first National Convention, citing violations of the dialogue's core principles.

The legacy foundations proposed that the first National Convention should be postponed to allow for adequate preparation, coherence and participatory integrity.

There have also been concerns around the funding for the event, with many parties warning of possible corruption and claiming that the dialogue is a vanity project for the African National Congress.

However, government is determined to push through with the event, noting on Sunday that funds are allocated from the existing budgets of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and the Presidency for secretariat support, communications and logistics. The provisions in the Appropriation Act and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) will be used to reimburse the Department of Employment and Labour and Nedlac in the Adjustments Budget later this year.

"All procurement and management of public funds will adhere to the PFMA and applicable Treasury Regulations. All funds will be accounted for through the normal public finance mechanisms," the Presidency said.