Background

First engagement: 4 August 2025

A group of leaders from diverse South African cultural communities held an online meeting on 4 August 2025 to engage on the possibility of collaboration in preparing an input document that could be submitted to the conveners of the National Dialogue. The following decisions were taken during the meeting:

• Leaders agreed to collaborate on an input document for the National Dialogue that would reflect their views of the country from the unique perspective of cultural communities.
• This input document will be announced publicly before 15 August 2025.
• Leaders further agreed to announce the collaborative initiative (a network of cultural communities) that is responsible for drafting the input document.
• A working group was established to compile a draft document for input and approval by leaders, which is based on inputs that were provided by leaders during as well as after the meeting.
• This collaborative initiative is aimed at the future and extends beyond the National Dialogue

Developments

The working group subsequently received inputs from leaders and created a document framework that grouped inputs under common themes that were identified. On 8 August 2025 the legacy foundations announced their withdrawal from the preparatory task team of the National Dialogue and the First National Convention of the National Dialogue that was scheduled for 15 August 2025.

Second engagement: 11 August 2025

A follow-up meeting was held by leaders on 11 August 2025 to discuss inputs that had been received, the draft document framework as well as the process to be followed, based on developments. The following decisions were taken during the meeting:

• Leaders agreed to continue collaborating on a document that would reflect the core challenges facing cultural communities in the country, which should be prioritised, also by the National Dialogue.
• The collaborative initiative will be formalised through the cocreation and approval of a founding document.
• A process of online meetings as well as a meeting in person will be followed to finalise the above.
• Details relating to meetings and actions to be taken, including public announcements and media statements, will be managed by the working group.

A strong message

This collaborative initiative is sending out a strong message that cultural communities and their leaders – whose voices are often not heard – are taking up the responsibility and initiative by engaging one another for the benefit of current and future generations.