In a bid to address South Africa’s pressing challenges and restore public confidence, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a national dialogue initiative, bringing together leaders from various sectors. Among the key figures appointed to the Eminent Persons Group is Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Dr. Sooliman emphasized the importance of the dialogue in bridging gaps between government, civil society, and the private sector.
A Call for Practical Solutions
Dr. Sooliman acknowledged that while the government has shown willingness to collaborate—citing examples like public-private partnerships during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent flood responses—structural inefficiencies and bureaucratic red tape remain major obstacles.
“Government has fantastic laws, but the biggest hurdle is implementation,” he said. “When a minister tells me they can’t release disaster relief quickly because of their own laws, that’s a serious problem.”
He stressed that the national dialogue must go beyond discussions and lead to actionable change. “We don’t want this to be another talk shop. If we’re involved, we want to see solutions implemented,” he asserted.
Restoring Public Trust
With skepticism lingering over the effectiveness of such initiatives—given past commissions and slow reforms—Dr. Sooliman argued that the inclusion of non-governmental experts could break the cycle of inaction.
“People in government are often trapped in bureaucracy. This group brings fresh perspectives from those who work on the ground,” he explained. He pointed to inefficiencies in disaster response, where unclear accountability between national, provincial, and local authorities delays critical aid.
A Turning Point for South Africa?
As the country marks 31 years of democracy, Dr. Sooliman believes this initiative could be a “game-changer” if properly executed. He highlighted the need for systemic reforms, including streamlining regulations that hinder service delivery and economic growth.
“The same mistakes keep happening because the system doesn’t change. This dialogue must lead to real policy shifts,” he said.
The national dialogue’s full agenda and implementation plan are yet to be unveiled, but with figures like Dr. Sooliman involved, there is hope that it could pave the way for more effective governance and renewed public trust.
For now, South Africans await tangible results—proof that this initiative will be more than just words.