Johannesburg – A growing chorus of voices is calling for the inclusion of South Africans living abroad in the ongoing National Dialogue. With the dialogue process gaining momentum, Operation Watershed is urging the government to address what they see as a significant oversight: the exclusion of the South African diaspora.
A Million Voices Silenced?
Organisers have invited 22 sectors to nominate members for the Steering Committee. However, the South African diaspora, numbering over a million individuals, has not been recognised as an official sector. This exclusion has sparked concern among expats who believe they deserve a voice in shaping the future of their country.
Why Should Expats Be Included?
South Africans living abroad contribute significantly to the country's economy through remittances, investments, and the transfer of valuable skills. Operation Watershed argues that their perspectives are crucial in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing South Africa.
Spokesperson Hayley Reichert stated, “This is an opportunity… We can either sit back, point our fingers, moan and complain… or we can get on board and make some noise.”
Online Consultation on 3 September
To address this exclusion, an online consultation is scheduled for September 3rd, offering the diaspora a platform to select their representatives. This consultation aims to ensure that the voices of South Africans abroad are heard and considered in the National Dialogue.
What's Next?
Operation Watershed is urging dialogue organisers to rectify this omission before the nomination deadline on September 8th. Over the next nine months, a series of national dialogues will be held across the country to find solutions to the pressing socioeconomic challenges. The inclusion of South Africans living abroad is seen as vital to ensuring a truly representative and effective dialogue process.