The encouraging progress made by government over the last five years “shows what we can achieve when we work together. Now is not the time to rest,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said during the 2026 State of the Nation Address.
Now is the time for all South Africans to be part of taking our country forward, he continued.
Last year, the government embarked on a new chapter in our democracy, launching a National Dialogue at a convention that brought together South Africans from across the country representing all sections of society. This year, the National Dialogue process will spread across South Africa, reaching every community, every school, every university and college and every part of our society.
Under the guidance of the Eminent Persons Group, consisting of prominent and respected South Africans and led by an inclusive steering committee, these public dialogues will give South Africans an opportunity to raise their concerns, aspirations and plans for the future.
The dialogues will culminate in a National Convention where all of these conversations will be brought together to outline the actions that we must all take to build a better South Africa. These conversations will guide the formulation of an overarching national compact and of the next phase of our National Development Plan beyond 2030.
In building this national consensus, he said: “We must draw not only on the shared values of the Constitution, but on the unifying power of sport and the rich diversity of the South African culture.” As we celebrate those who have reached the heights of global achievement, we must appreciate how sport and cultural activities build a cohesive society, the President said.
“Harnessing the spirit of the women of 1956, the youth of 1976 and the Constitution of South Africa of 1996, the year 2026 must be a year of transformative change. This must be the year that we make South Africa stronger. We must fix local government. We must fight crime, corruption and restore trust in the criminal justice system. We must create jobs and livelihoods for every South African, and we must build a state that works for the people.
“Above all, we must ensure that this rising tide lifts every South African. As the economy grows, it should bring into its fold those who have lived on its margins for decades,” the President said.
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