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Budget Vote 33 – Rural Development and Land Reform

July 23rd, 2014|

Address by Mr ML Filtane, UDM Member of Parliament, in the National Assembly – Vote 33 Rural Development and Land Reform
Honourable Chairperson
Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

• Rural revitalisation and intervention in its economy is a priority matter as many rural areas remain in crisis with regard to resources and service delivery whilst the majority of people live in abject poverty after 20 years of democracy.

• One major flaw of economic policy in [...]

Budget Vote 16 – Health

July 23rd, 2014|

Address BY Ms CN Majeke, UDM Member of Parliament in the National Assembly on Budget Vote 16 – Health (MTEF)
Honourable Chairperson Minister and Deputy Minister Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) commits to protecting and promoting the Constitutional right of all South Africans to basic health care, and providing proper and immediate responses to the major health risks facing the country. In re-engineering the primary health care, the department must priorities access [...]

Budget Vote 22 : Defence and Military Veterans

July 23rd, 2014|

Address by Mr BH Holomisa, MP (UDM President) on Budget Vote 22: Defence and Military Veterans on 23 July 2014 in the National Assembly
Chairperson
Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

The United Democratic Movement supports budget vote 22.

The department is one of the fortunate to have retained its Minister after 2014 elections therefore promising continuity of strategy and direction. As a member of the Defence Service Commission, I concur with defence force programme and plans [...]

Budget Vote : State Security (MTEF)

July 23rd, 2014|

Address by Mr BH Holomisa, MP (UDM President) on Budget Vote : State Security on 23 July 2014 in the National Assembly
Chairperson
Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

The United Democratic Movement supports budget vote 10.

As members of the Joint Standing Committee on State Security, we should appreciate the seriousness of the task placed on our shoulders on behalf of the citizens of our country. We must always strive to place safety of [...]

Budget Vote 2: Parliament

July 22nd, 2014|

Address by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Budget Vote 2: Parliament
Madam Speaker, Deputy President and Honourable Members,

Parliament derives its power directly from the people. We are therefore all here to implement the will of the people. Once elected, our people therefore expect us to rise above ideological cleavages and narrow partisan interests to build a better South Africa for all, both Black and White.

Deputy Speaker,

Speaking time is essential for pluralist [...]

Budget Vote 5: International Relations and Cooperation

July 22nd, 2014|

Speech by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson
Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

The United Democratic Movement believes that the national interests of South Africa should be defined and pursued strictly according to the norms and principles, expressed in the Constitution of the Republic in the execution of the country’s relations with the outside world. The recent and rapid developments in the global political landscape, demands of [...]

Budget Vote 10: National Treasury

July 21st, 2014|

Chairperson, Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister, Honourable Members,

Once more, Budget Vote 10 is delivered against the backdrop of severe economic challenges facing the world today. It takes place at a time when some economies around the world are making a slow economic recovery, while others are still in economic deepfreeze.

We acknowledge that appropriate economic policy responses have been undertaken in order to place the country on a path to economic growth and prosperity. However, [...]

Budget Vote 11: Public Enterprises

July 17th, 2014|

Address by UDM Deputy Secretary General, Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP at Committee Room E249
Chairperson, Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister, Honourable Members,

For many years, South Africa’s economic growth potential has been shackled by a lack of properly planned infrastructure investment. This resulted in immense disparities in the quality of the infrastructure between rural and urban communities.

The poor and rural communities have to make do with inadequate and poor quality infrastructure, which confines them to [...]

Budget Vote 30 – Environmental Affairs (MTEF 2014)

July 17th, 2014|

Address by the President of the UDM, Mr BH Holomisa MP, in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson
Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) supports budget vote 30 – Environmental Affairs.In my limited time I will dedicate this speech to Madiba, the environmentalist.

When the President of the republic made a call to all South Africans, to remember and celebrate this years’ birthday of this environmental activist by participating in cleaning activities, [...]

Budget Vote 7 – Public Works (MTEF 2014)

July 16th, 2014|

Contribution made by UDM Member of Parliament, Mr ML Filtane, in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson
Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

This department is charged with the custodianship and management of government immovable assets; ancillary thereto, it takes initiatives to develop such infrastructure as may be needed by various government departments, from time to time. It must also reform and radically improve the construction sector of our economy.

This is a department that is consistently [...]

Budget Vote 2 – Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MTEF 2014)

July 16th, 2014|

Contribution made by UDM Member of Parliament, Mr ML Filtane, in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson
Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) makes the following contribution to this important debate and subject.

In the previous term the department achieved very little in so far as its core business is concerned. We are talking about the business of, amongst others.

• Ensuring food security for all the citizens of the country especially through [...]

Budget Vote 31 – Human Settlement (MTEF 2014)

July 15th, 2014|

- Contribution made by UDM Member of Parliament, Ms CN Majeke, in the National Assembly

Honourable Chairperson
Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the strategic thrust of the policy statement by the Minister as captured in her foreword of the departmental five year strategic annual performance plans 2014/19.

We believe that there can be a working relationship between the provision of houses as a basic shelter, quality accommodation and shorter delivery [...]

Vote 15 Basic Education (MTEF 2014)

July 15th, 2014|

Contribution made by UDM Member of Parliament, Ms CN Majeke, in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson
Minister and Deputy Minister
Honourable Members

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that the major intervention if any is to be made in the Basic Education Sector, must mainly be on
• School Leadership, Management and Governance;
• Teacher content and knowledge – knowledge of the subject matter / content;
• School Environment and
• Learner discipline – a [...]

SONA 2014 – Bantu Holomisa reacts on behalf of UDM

June 18th, 2014|

Address by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP in the National Assembly during the State of the Nation debate (SONA 2014)
Chairperson of the NCOP, Mister President and Deputy President, Honourable Members;

I wish to thank all the people, who gave us the mandate to once more contribute in building a better South Africa. We will do our best to serve you.

Chairperson of the NCOP,

To achieve meaningful socio-economic transformation, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that South [...]

Condolences with the passing away of Mama Epainette Mbeki

June 7th, 2014|

We today say a sad farewell to a daughter of the Transkei; Mama Epainette Mbeki.

She was unyielding in her support of her husband, Govan Mbeki, during the struggle years. After Oom Gov was sentenced to life imprisonment, she had to make yet another enormous sacrifice when her children were forced into exile. To say that Mama Epainette was a strong woman is an understatement; she was a rock upon which the apartheid regime [...]

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UDM Siyabulela Rally – address by UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa

May 6th, 2014|

• UDM Leaders from all across South Africa

• UDM public representatives

• Citizens of the Eastern Cape

• The people of my hometown, Mthatha, and

• My fellow South Africans

1. WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO ALL UDM ACTIVISTS

Before we get into the politics and issues of Elections 2014, I want to welcome you all and quickly say something about teamwork.

Many of you might not be familiar with the name Vince Lombardi. He was a legend in American [...]

UDM Election Rally in Port Elizabeth Address by UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa

April 28th, 2014|

• UDM Leaders at all levels of Eastern Cape
• UDM public representatives
• My fellow South Africans

WELCOME
Ladies and gentlemen, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) says “thank you” for making the time and effort to attend this rally and listen to our message.

To our election teams that have worked themselves to a standstill to make a success of this event – thank you for the hard work guys.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF FREEDOM – [...]

IEC lease agreement scandal – IEC paying for Commission Chairperson’s legal costs

April 28th, 2014|

Memo to: Mr Terry Tselane, Vice-Chairperson of the Electoral CommissionFrom: Bantu Holomisa (Chairperson of the Multi-Party Forum and UDM President)Copied to: Judge Thami Makhanya, Rev. Bongani Finca, Ms Raenette Taljaard, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, leaders and representatives of other political parties=====================================Dear Mr TselaneThe abovementioned matter has reference.The Electoral Commission is on record that it has accepted the Public Protector’s report 13 of 2013 captioned: “Report on an investigation into allegations of maladministration and corruption in [...]

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Freedom Day message and address at Elections 2014 Rally in Fochville

April 27th, 2014|

• National Office Bearers of the UDM
• UDM Gauteng Provincial, Regional and Branch Leaders
• UDM members and supporters
• My fellow South Africans

THANK YOU AND WELCOME

I would not be standing here, if not for the hard work of the election teams of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the province.

You should feel proud of your efforts. Enkosi.

Today we celebrate the first 20 years of our democracy. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is [...]

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North West address by UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa

April 26th, 2014|

• National Office Bearers of the UDM
• UDM Provincial, Regional and Branch Leaders
• UDM members and supporters
• My fellow South Africans

THANK YOU AND WELCOME

We are in the home straight of Elections 2014.

To the election teams of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), who have worked tirelessly to make this event a success, thank you for the hard work. You have made us proud.

As this will be my last visit to this area [...]

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Government not honouring contractual obligations at the expense of small businesses – Dimbaza

April 22nd, 2014|

TO: His Excellency, Mr JG Zuma, President of the Republic South Africa
Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies
Chief Executive Officer: Coega Development Corporation, Mr Mninawe Silinga
FROM: Bantu Holomisa, MP

Government not honouring contractual obligations at the expense of small businesses – Dimbaza

See below, correspondence from Mr B Willows, representative of SBM Iron and Steel Manufacturers (Pty) Limited from Dimbaza, near King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape. Mr Willows clearly outlines [...]

Holomisa contributes to The Daily Dispatch – Great Election Debate

April 16th, 2014|

• Moderator/Programme Director
• The leaders of other political parties
• Members of the audience
• My fellow South Africans

INTRODUCTION
Thank you to the Daily Dispatch for giving the United Democratic Movement (UDM) the opportunity to discuss our points of view regarding our plans to transform South Africa into a Winning Nation.

CORRUPTION FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
Although some progress has been made over the past five years, corruption sticks out like a sore thumb.

It [...]

Department of Labour Compensation Fund: corruption and wasteful expenditure

April 15th, 2014|

OPEN LETTER
To: The Public Protector – Ms Thuli Madonsela
Copy: The President of the Republic – Mr Jacob Zuma
The Auditor General – Mr Thembekile Makwethu
From: The UDM President – Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
subject: Department of Labour Compensation Fund: corruption and wasteful expenditure

Dear Ms Madonsela

The [...]

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Address: by Bantu Holomisa at a UDM Elections Rally Community Hall, Seeisoville, Kroonstad

April 13th, 2014|

• Mr Mbhazima Shilowa
• Leaders of the UDM in the Free State
• My fellow South Africans

WELCOME
This is the third rally, which the United Democratic Movement (UDM) organised this weekend. We yesterday moved from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape and today we are here in the Free State. The previous weekend we hosted rallies in Limpopo, the North West and in Mpumalanga.

The reason I mention this, is to prove to [...]

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Holomisa speaks at UDM Rally at Gompo Community Hall, Duncan Village, East London

April 12th, 2014|

• Leaders of the UDM in the Eastern Cape
• UDM public representatives
• My fellow South Africans

WELCOME

The 2014 elections campaign of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) is gaining momentum.

Just this morning I addressed a full-hall in Khayelitsha. Tomorrow Mhbazima Shilowa and I will be in Kroonstad in the Free State.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for making the time to listen to what the UDM would do if it was [...]

Address: by the UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa at a UDM Elections Rally in OR Tambo Sports Centre, Khayelitsha

April 12th, 2014|

• Leaders of the UDM in the Western Cape
• UDM Public representatives
• My fellow South Africans

WELCOME
Welcome to this rally of the United Democratic Movement (UDM).

Thank you for spending your time with us; thank you for coming to listen to what the UDM believes is needed so that we can transform South Africa into a Winning Nation.

We hope that you leave this rally, equipped with the necessary knowledge to make an informed [...]

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Human rights: women and children in mining communities in need of urgent help

April 10th, 2014|

His Excellency, Mr JG Zuma, President of the Republic South Africa
The Minister of Social Development
Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission
Chairperson of the National Council of Churches

This matter has reference.

I recently visited many of the surrounding mining townships and villages in the North West and Limpopo – amongst others, Marikana, Impala No 9, Ntabeni and Smasha Block.

The women and children of these communities are worse affected and are quite literally [...]

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Holomisa pays tribute to a friend and comrade on the 21st anniversary of Chris Hani’s assassination

April 9th, 2014|

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) pays tribute to a friend and comrade, the late Chris Hani, on the 21st anniversary of his assassination.

The unwarranted murder of Chris Hani robbed South Africa one of its most charismatic and principled sons thus drastically changing the course this country would have taken. Hani’s unshakable belief in the eradication of poverty, prosperous and corruption free South Africa, amongst many other noble ideas, would have undoubtedly steered this country firmly [...]

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ANC imbedded within IEC

April 8th, 2014|

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, has brought the Electoral Commission into disrepute in terms of Chapter 2, Paragraph 9 (c) of the Electoral Commission’s act (51 of 1996) which states that:

“ (9) No members of the commission:
(c) may, by his or her membership, association, statement, conduct or in any other manner place in jeopardy his or her perceived independence, or in any other manner harm the credibility, impartiality, independence [...]

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Address: by the President to of the United Democratic Movement, Mr Bantu Holomisa at a meeting with Traditional and business leaders as well as Leaders of Religious Groupings, Khanyisa High School, Mthatha

April 2nd, 2014|

• Traditional leaders
• Leaders of religious organisations
• Provincial Office Bearers of the UDM in the Eastern Cape
• UDM Public Representatives
• My fellow South Africans and Transkeians

INTRODUCTION
We stand at the precipice of what can be a great change in the future of our country – in your futures.

We can all agree that many things have gone right in the past 20 years, but the tragedy of the South African story [...]

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UDM outrage at R10m tender scam in Buffalo City and asks the Public Protector to investigate

April 2nd, 2014|

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is outraged at the blatant attempt by the Buffalo City Municipality to sweep under the carpet the R10 million housing scandal implicating a senior African National Congress (ANC) official.

Also, it was widely reported that Koko Godlo, whose company was awarded the tender, was appointed by the ANC to head its elections campaign for 2014. The link to the ruling party is clear. It is no wonder that he was [...]

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President Zuma response to the Public Protector’s report further confirms his ethical clumsiness

March 31st, 2014|

President Jacob Zuma’s latest outburst, in response to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s findings on Nkandla, is yet another demonstration that he is not a moral agent and unfit to lead South Africa.

Firstly, Mr Zuma – as the chief executive of the country – ought to have known everything that related to government spending at his private residence. Particularly given the amount of public money involved. His continued posture, playing ignorant, does not only expose [...]

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Speech: Welcoming former Democratic Alliance and African National Congress members into the UDM Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (Gugulethu High School, Cape Town)

March 30th, 2014|

• Leadership of the UDM in the Western Cape
• UDM Public Representatives
• The people who live in the Cape Flats and Gugulethu in particular
• New members of the UDM
• My fellow South Africans

Welcome!

I am heartened by the many faces I see before me, because we are united in the knowledge that we have a common cause i.e. we want to go back to the original agenda, which is to better [...]

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UDEMWO welcomes Kutumela sentence, but is it enough?

March 28th, 2014|

The United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is pleased to hear that Thato Kutumela has been sentenced to ten years for rape and 20 years for the murder of his 18-year-old pregnant ex-girlfriend.

We are however disappointed that Kutumela’s sentences will run concurrently and hope that he will never be paroled. Our courts should mete out harsh sentences on the perpetrators of abuse and violence against women and children.

UDEMWO believes that a zero-tolerance system should be employed to [...]

Holomisa on Amcu strike: Call for both parties to give face-to-face negotiations another try

March 28th, 2014|

With Implats’ announcement that it would consider abandoning its new R11bn Leeuwkop platinum mine, unless it could redesign it as a mechanised mine, is bad news for South Africans who are desperate for work, especially from nearby communities.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is of the view that “go-betweens” are not the way to go. As former members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) – still smarting from the loss of NUM’s status as [...]

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Statement: the ANC wants to erode public confidence in the Public Protector

March 27th, 2014|

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is outraged at the sustained attack on the Public Protector by the various offshoots of the African National Congress (ANC).

The latest outburst by the ruling party’s chief whip of parliament, Mr Stone Sizani, only exposes his ignorance of the very same laws he is entrusted to make and is consistent with the attitude of the ANC towards institutions that investigate corruption without fear, favour or prejudice.

This unwarranted aggressive stance [...]

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Mr Holomisa speech: Commemoration of Human Rights Day at Gxwalibomvu

March 21st, 2014|

Address of the UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP at the Commemoration of Human Rights Day at Gxwalibomvu

Leadership of the United Democratic Movement in the Eastern Cape
The people from Gxwalibomvu
My fellow South Africans

THANK YOU AND WELCOME

On behalf of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), I wish to thank the people of Gxwalibomvu for the gracious invitation to commemorate Human Rights Day with you.

Today we are welcomed in a part in of the Eastern [...]

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UDM Contribution at Human Rights Day Celebration at Sharpeville

March 21st, 2014|

Speech from Mrs Thandi Nontenja (UDM National Treasurer) to be delivered at the Department of Arts and Culture Human Rights Day

Programme Director

The Minister of the Department of Arts and Culture, Premier of Gauteng – Nomvula Mokonyane Leaders of other Political Parties Fellow South Africans:

It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the commemoration of what we used to call Sharpeville Day back then. It is befitting for this day to be [...]

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Nkandla: President Zuma no longer has the moral authority to lead – it’s time to go

March 19th, 2014|

The scathing report of the Public Protector on the so-called Nkandla “upgrades” probably marks one of the darkest moments in the history our country since the advent of democracy in 1994.

The findings that President Zuma has once again violated the Executive Members Ethics Code through his failure to act in protection of state resources, that he tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital [...]

UDM Manifesto 2014

February 2nd, 2014|

Message from UDM President
Bantu Holomisa

My fellow South Africans

2014 is an auspicious year, as South Africans mark 20 years of freedom.

The Bill of Rights ensures that all the citizens of our beautiful country have the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. Our dignity has been restored and we enjoy freedom and security of our person. We can live where we want to. No one is denied access to establishments based on [...]

Land redistribution in South Africa

July 7th, 2014|

Statement in Parliament by Mr LB Gaehler, UDM Member of Parliament

Honourable Chair and Honourable Members

Land redistribution aims to correct the injustices of the past. The Natives Land Act of 1913, a piece of legislation which ratified and legalized the exclusion of South Africa’s black majority from land ownership in favour of the white minority. This has left behind a legacy of both dispossession and oppression.

Citizens however have voiced out their grievances, post 1994, with regard [...]