Nation building and social dialogue for a just transition

CLIMATE CHANGE

- MBALI BADUZA and ZIMASA VAZI

EVERY year, Freedom Day enables us to reflect on and pay tribute to the day South Africa initiated an irreversible transition grounded in the principles of inclusivity, equality, and justice through the country's first democratic elections.

That momentous occasion 31 years ago elected 490 able South Africans to constitute the Constitutional Assembly and entrusted them with the responsivity of drafting our democratic Constitution which would serve as the supreme law and a blueprint for a just and equal society.

Transitions have long been a part of South Africa's journey, and now, the crucial shift toward a low-carbon future presents an extraordinary opportunity to transform our nation.

The transition is not just an environmental necessity to ward off the climate crisis; it is a pivotal moment for nation-building that we cannot afford to overlook.

To achieve this transition, we must engage in robust, meaningful, and inclusive social dialogue, ensuring that the transition is fair, equitable, and beneficial for all South Africans - a Just Transition.

The concept of nation-building has deep roots in South Africa. Emerging from a negotiated settlement that ended years of oppression and systemic exclusion, our nation appreciates the significant role of social dialogue in fostering transformation.

Our Constitution was drafted through a process characterised by transparency and inclusivity, initiating the largest public participation effort in South Africa's history. This foundational document was developed through social dialogue, supported by combined investments from the government, the private sector, and the international community, all standing in solidarity with South Africa's journey towards becoming a sovereign democratic state.