The media is invited to attend the official opening session of the South African Women’s Pre-National Dialogue.

Date: August 26, 2024

Time: 09:00 – 11:30
Location: Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg

Event Overview: High unemployment, poverty, crime, corruption and a decline in the delivery of basic services, as well as political factionalism, have led to a trust deficit in government and to a lack of social cohesion. Civil society, in response to this discontent had, way before the elections, called for a National Dialogue that should usher in a new social contract between people and government, and between South Africans in general. The South African Women’s Pre-National Dialogue is a critical civil society initiative aimed at preparing women to fully participate in the upcoming National Dialogue. Participation at this particular historical moment provides women with an opportunity to influence thinking about innovative and holistic approaches to resolve complex societal challenges, inculcate a culture of politics based on a commitment to serving community, participatory democracy, and clean governance.

Keynote Speakers:

• Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Founder and Chairperson, Umlambo Foundation
• Prof Cheryl Hendricks, Executive Director, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR)
• Ms Thoko Mpumlwana, Board Chair, South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID)

Focus Areas:

The Women’s Pre-National Dialogue is designed to support women to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the National Dialogue and its purpose.
• Identify priorities for the National Dialogue.
• Highlight women’s concerns in relation to these priorities.
• Articulate women’s expectations regarding process design and outcomes.
• Share women’s deliberations with the hosts of the National Dialogue and the public at large.

Participants: Approximately 100 women and gender non-confirming persons from civil society, academia, and other sectors will attend.

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Media inquiries and RSVP:

Mwanja Ng’anjo | Head of Communications, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation | Mnganjo@ijr.org.za

Mathapelo Makhubela | Communications, Branding & IT for SAWID | mathapelo.makhubela@sawid.org.za