President appoints Professor Brij Maharaj to National Dialogue Steering Committee

PROFESSOR Brij Maharaj, a leading geographer at UKZN's School of Agriculture and Science, has been officially appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Steering Committee of the National Dialogue, where he will represent the Faith-Based Organisations (FBO) sector.

Maharaj joins a select group of leaders tasked with overseeing a citizen-led, society-wide process, aimed at forging a new social compact for South Africa.

The appointment was formally confirmed by Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Convenor of the National Dialogue, who wrote: “I am pleased to confirm your appointment to the Steering Committee of the National Dialogue. This follows your nomination as a representative of the Faith-Based Organisations Sector. I wish all steering committee members well in undertaking this important task to advance the building of a free, equal, united and prosperous nation.”

Maharaj’s appointment acknowledges his longstanding commitment to community leadership, social justice and ethical public engagement.

In a statement, Maharaj, the vice president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, said the faith sector was the custodian of the country’s moral compass, and it was an honour to serve in this capacity "as we collectively reimagine a future that leaves no South African behind".

UKZN said Maharaj played a pivotal role in faith-based and civic initiatives, fostering dialogue on social cohesion, human dignity, interfaith harmony and transformation.

"His work within the faith sector consistently promotes ethical leadership, peacebuilding, and the moral responsibility of institutions in addressing South Africa’s socio-economic challenges. The appointment aligns with his deep-rooted dedication to the faith sector, where he has served in key positions, including Deputy President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and Vice- Chairperson of the Interfaith Forum of South Africa. His leadership is grounded in decades of activism, beginning with his role as secretary of the Merebank Community Centre in the 1980s."

As a B-rated NRF researcher and member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Maharaj is an internationally respected scholar in geography, who has published over 175 scholarly papers in renowned journals, co-edited seven book collections and graduated 60 Masters and PhD candidates.

He has served on numerous national and international academic bodies and editorial boards and is widely regarded as a leading intellectual voice on issues of inequality, urban governance and inclusive development. Maharaj is a regular media commentator on topical issues as part of his commitment to public intellectualism.

The National Dialogue is a critical platform aimed at fostering inclusive conversation, consensus-building and collective action to address the country’s pressing challenges. The steering committee guides the dialogue's vision, structure, and implementation, ensuring broad representation across all sectors of society. By representing the faith sector, Maharaj will help ensure that the values of ethics, integrity, and compassion remain central to the national conversation. 

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