Catholic Writer and NGO Director, Lorato Trok, appointed to Eminent Persons Group by President Cyril Ramaphosa

by Daluxolo Moloantoa · June 20, 2025

By Daluxolo Moloantoa – Ms Lorato Trok, a writer, director of Nal’ibali, and a parishioner at St Martin de Porres Church in Sunnyside, Pretoria, has been appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as one of the 31 members of the Eminent Persons Group.

The group is tasked with guiding and promoting the National Dialogue, a comprehensive initiative designed to advance South Africa’s Vision 2030 and establish the groundwork for the next stage of the country’s National Development Plan.

The National Dialogue is scheduled for August 15, 2025, with the goal of fostering a shared understanding of South African identity while establishing a new national ethos and a common value system.

Trok is the author of 16 children’s picture books and biographer of Young Adults non-fiction books. Her books originated in both Setswana, her mother tongue, and English, have been translated into other South African languages.

The organisation she leads, Nal’ibali, which means “here’s the story” in isiXhosa, is a nationwide campaign promoting reading for enjoyment. Its aim is to ignite and instil a reading culture among children from birth to 12 years old throughout South Africa by providing engaging reading materials in all South African languages.

Other members of the Eminent Persons Group include Archbishop Thabo Makhoba, the Anglican church Archbishop of Cape Town and Dr Brigalia Bam, former chairperson of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC), among others.

With this nomination, Ms Trok, a prominent leader in the community, is anticipated to leverage her expertise and dedication to enhancing social cohesion and nation-building.