United Democratic Movement | UDM - UDM Political Party | South Africa

From Humble Beginnings to Queen of the Universe

Admin2019-12-09T15:58:47+02:00December 9th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Issues, Media statements: UDMYV, Women's Issues, Youth Issues|

Yongama Zigebe, UDMYV Secretary Gauteng The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard joins millions of South Africans and Billions of people around the globe in celebrating yet another victory for our country. Our Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi has won Miss Universe 2019 pageant held in Atlanta USA. After wowing to the judges and fans throughout the competition Zozibini managed to swoop the title, taking over from Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Zozibini [...]

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UDM NEC decision regarding the removal of Cllr Bobani as Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor

Admin2019-12-07T16:04:51+02:00December 7th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Coalition Government, Democracy|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) met at the weekend to discuss the removal of the UDM’s executive mayor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality through a vote of no confidence on 5 December 2019. After carefully considering the feedback it received, the UDM NEC is of the view that the matter of the motion of no confidence was irregularly included on [...]

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Call to keep South Africa rubbish-free over the Festive Season

Admin2019-12-05T09:17:44+02:00December 5th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Environment|

As we approach the annual exodus where most South Africans return to their homes in the rural areas, and travel to holiday destinations, to take a rest period and celebrate the Festive Season, we are confronted with the usual littering along our roads. Travelers tend to throw garbage out of car and taxi windows, and this makes for an ugly sight, especially along our coastlines and heavily travelled routes e.g. Viedgesville to Coffee Bay/Hole in [...]

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Gender-based violence: Enough is Enough!

Admin2019-12-04T14:05:23+02:00December 4th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Issues, Justice, Police, Thandi Nontenja, Uncategorized, Women's Issues, Youth Issues|

Ms Thandi Nontenja The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation is disheartened about how these brutal killings are becoming a norm in our communities. Another young life lost, another bright future deprived. We cannot afford to have yet another hashtag with no action taken by the Police and other relevant departments including the Presidency. It is sad that women cannot live freely within our communities throughout South Africa, every day we read/hear of women [...]

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Member’s statement: Holomisa on United Kingdom visas

Admin2019-11-26T18:02:02+02:00November 26th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Home|

Honourable Speaker, For some time now the United Kingdom (UK) has required South Africans to apply for visas to visit the UK, because of that country’s security concerns. This includes the tedious requirement to obtain a transit visa to connect with flights to other countries. Yet, South Africa is still committed to freely welcome UK travellers and business-people to our shores. Rightly or wrongly, there seem to have been a taint of distrust of South [...]

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KwaZulu-Natal Precarious Weather

Admin2019-11-15T11:23:05+02:00November 15th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Environment, Government, Home, Housing and Human Settlements, Infrastructure development, Issues, Media statements: UDM, Road Safety, Safety and Security, Service delivery, UDM statements: KZN, Uncategorized|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones in the past 3 days, due to the severe and dreich weather in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Party also sympathises with the members of different communities that their properties were destroyed by adverse weather. Some of the havoc that has been witnessed like the over flooding [...]

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Condolences with passing of Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu

Admin2019-11-14T12:41:58+02:00November 14th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Media statements: UDM|

We have learnt with shock of the untimely passing of the AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu. His death is a terrible loss for the Xhosa Nation and South Africa. King Zwelonke was an outspoken and independent individual who did not shy away from expressing his opinions – especially when things were not right in our country. On behalf of the United Democratic Movement and myself, I express our condolences with his family and the [...]

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Leaders/Depts of KZN Provincial Government are extravagant

Admin2019-11-12T14:50:04+02:00November 12th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Issues, Media statements: UDM, Opinion Pieces, UDM statements: KZN, Uncategorized|

The United Democratic Movement is perturbed by the news that the MEC for Education in the Province is using a hired motor vehicle for his official business that is costing taxpayers a whooping R100 000 per month. This is unbelievable if one considers that the ANC claims to be the government of the people and which represent the poorest of the poor. This is an illustration that the ANC led government does not practice what [...]

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A teacher dies: Keiskammahoek tragedy

Admin2019-11-06T14:54:48+02:00November 6th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Government, Higher and Basic Education, Home, Issues, Media statements: UDM, Uncategorized, Youth Issues|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement is disheartened by the sad news of the passing of an educator at Sivuyile Primary School in Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape. The video of a heated argument between an Educator and a learner started circulating on social media late last week. The UDM is truly disappointed by this behaviour of the learner which is rapidly becoming a norm in our schools. The parents are [...]

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UDM reaction to Mmusi Maimane’s resignation

Admin2019-10-23T17:40:23+02:00October 23rd, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Democracy, Media statements: UDM, Political Realignment|

The past few days has certainly been interesting in terms of changes to the South African political landscape. Not only has senior leader, Herman Mashaba, announced that he can no longer remain a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), now its federal leader Mmusi Maimane has resigned. The pressure brought on by Ryan Coetzee, Tony Leon and Michiel le Roux’s scathing report deprives the DA’s branches of an opinion on the matter. The tail [...]

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Water issues in Msinga and the prevailing corruption: KwaZulu Natal

Admin2019-10-15T16:34:52+02:00October 15th, 2019|2019 Archive, Cogta, Home, Issues, Media statements: UDM, UDM statements: KZN, Uncategorized|

The United Democratic Movement (UDM), in KwaZulu-Natal, pleads with the Umzinyathi District Municipality, the Water Services Authority responsible for water supply in Msinga Local Municipality, to at least respect the law under which it is established, The Water Services Act. This municipality has displayed unwillingness, pure disregard and arrogance in servicing people of Msinga with water. The town of Pomeroy in Msinga, was yet again brought to a standstill today (15 October 2019), due [...]

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The incarceration of a #FeesMustF+3all student continues: Khanya Cekeshe

Admin2019-10-23T14:54:03+02:00October 15th, 2019|#FeesMustFall, 2019 Archive, Government, Media statements: UDMYV, Uncategorized, Youth Issues|

Yongama Zigebe, UDMYV Secretary Gauteng The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard is very much dismayed by the decision of the Johannesburg Magistrate Court in dismissing Khanya Cekeshe’s application for bail and denying him leave to appeal his conviction and sentence. This can easily be construed as a rigid application of the law to a political case as the fees must fall protest was a political protest and such an important element cannot [...]

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South African Post Office Service Sucks: Poor service delivery

Admin2019-10-10T11:18:10+02:00October 10th, 2019|2019 Archive, Archives, Bongani Msomi, Government, Home, Issues, Media statements: UDM, State Owned Enterprises, Youth Issues|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is disheartened by the poor service rendered by the Post Office, The Tramshed branch in Pretoria (Tshwane) cbd to be precisely has been offline for quite some time. The customers are receiving a raw deal. This post office cannot provide basic services to its customers, for example, one cannot apply for a post box or pay for television licence or do transactions [...]

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Vehicle financing: Holomisa asks Wesbank CEO some pointed questions

Admin2019-10-02T09:04:54+02:00October 1st, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Corruption and clean governance|

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF WESBANK, CHRIS DE KOCK Mr Chris de Kock Wesbank Chief Executive Officer Enterprise Road Fairland 2170 Dear Mr De Kock ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN MOTOR VEHICLE SALES: THIRTY MORE PEOPLE CONFIRM SEEMING FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING WESBANK FINANCING 1. Introduction Our meeting of the 10th of May 2018 regarding Mr Mzukisi Ndara’s complaint and subsequent correspondence refers. You will recall that I addressed an open letter to [...]

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Violence against women and children, and crime in South Africa

Admin2019-09-18T16:15:22+02:00September 18th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Home, Issues, Media statements: UDM, Safety and Security, Speeches, Women's Issues, Youth Issues|

Honourable Speaker, Mr President and Deputy President, Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Honourable Members. 1. Introduction The United Democratic Movement (UDM) commends the fact that Parliament is debating solutions to gender-based violence, child abuse, rampant crime in general, as well as lawlessness. We are here today in response to the brave women of this country who said: “No more!”. This House and the Executive must prioritize finding solutions, even if it means that we must [...]

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University of Zululand:Vulnerability of Students

Admin2019-09-18T08:55:02+02:00September 18th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Issues, Media statements: UDM, UDM statements: KZN, Youth Issues|

Mr Bongani Msomi The United Democratic Movement notes with concern the vulnerability of students who resides in private accommodations that are not part of the university’s residences and it supports the initiative of students for embarking on a protest demonstration. The students opt to lodge or stay at private accommodation because the university is failing to provide with them adequate accommodation in its residences. They do not have a choice but for [...]

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Open Letter to President Ramaphosa: Gender-based violence

Admin2019-09-10T10:10:04+02:00September 10th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Issues, Justice, Media statements: UDEMWO, Open Letters, Thandi Nontenja, Women's Issues|

Ms Thandi Nontenja Dear Mr President Recently, the country has been ravaged by news of gender based violence, women being abducted, raped and murdered. This is an everyday life for women in this country hence now we have the #AmInext movement, because honestly we are constantly stressing about who is going to be a victim of these atrocities ravaging our communities. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation call on you Mr President, [...]

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Violence against women: Punishment of women abusers is a laughing stock

Admin2019-09-03T14:59:19+02:00September 3rd, 2019|2019 Archive, Government, Home, Issues, Media statements: UDEMWO, Thandi Nontenja, Women's Issues, Xenophobia, Youth Issues|

Ms Thandi Nontenja The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organization is disheartened by violence against women and children that is currently taking place throughout South Africa, Uyinene Mrwetyana a young girl who had a bright future was deprived an opportunity to achieve her goals and dreams, she didn’t just die, she was brutally murdered. Jeighandre Jegels a boxing champion from the Eastern Cape was also killed by her Police Officer boyfriend. A body [...]

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UDM statement on the IFP’s newly elected leadership

Admin2019-08-28T11:17:13+02:00August 28th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Home, Issues, UDM statements: KZN|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) would like to congratulate the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on its successful National Elective Congress held from the 23rd to the 25th of August, 2019. It is heartening that this National Elective Congress was able to elect a new leadership without any issues. The UDM would like to also commend the retired Party President, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for [...]

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Old SA flag: The Equality Court missed an opportunity

Admin2019-08-23T13:31:38+02:00August 23rd, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Democracy and electoral reform, Human rights|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with concern the recent ruling by the Equality Court on the matter between The National Mandela Foundation Trust and with Afriforum NPC and others. The UDM is of the view that the relief sought and eventually acceded to by the Deputy Judge President of the High Court was very generous and too broad. The idea of allowing a flag which was [...]

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Reflection on the deployment of the SANDF in the Western Cape

Admin2019-08-21T13:47:16+02:00August 21st, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Defence, Home|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is aware that it has been several weeks since the deployment of the soldiers in some of the gang war areas in the Western Cape and the sad part is that the killings or the number of people being killed brutally in the area has not gone down. This in a way compels one to perhaps reflect on whether deployment was bad idea [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Bongani Mahlati, MPL’s contribution the Vote on Public Works

Admin2019-08-23T15:31:17+02:00August 20th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Mahlati, Home, Public Works, Speeches|

Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker Honourable Premier and members of the executive Honourable Members of the Legislature Officials present here Distinguish Guests And visitors at the gallery be greeted in Jesus naame Madam Speaker the United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the report, however Honourable Speaker, government must find a comprehensive approach on how to improve and monitor the irregular expenditure that has been increasing over the past years in this department. I am concerned [...]

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Bantu Holomisa’s address at the Colloquium on Civil Military Relations in South Africa

Admin2019-08-20T13:27:03+02:00August 20th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Defence, Home|

• Honourable Chairperson • Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister • Secretary of Defence • Fellow Committee Members and Parliamentarians • Ladies and gentlemen 1. Thank you Allow me this opportunity to thank our Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Mr VC Xaba, MP, for the opportunity to address you today. 2. Introduction In a time of war, the politics and society are willing to accept that the military has a [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution to the debate on violence against women and femicide

Admin2019-08-23T16:26:10+02:00August 16th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, Speeches, Women's Issues|

Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution to the debate on violence against women and femicide on 16 August 2019 A very emotional issue indeed. The United Democratic Movement supports the support given by this House to fighting violence against women. Accordingly, we propose that the Zizipho Apleni be invited to come and address this house. We shall have made a powerful statement to our women that we are wholly against their abuse [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution Vote: transport

Admin2019-08-23T16:17:52+02:00August 15th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, Speeches, Transport|

1. Transportation plays a very critical role in the economy and livelihoods in our province. It’s all about moving goods and passengers. 2. The hot and cold relationship that this department has with the taxi industry remains, not just a matter of ongoing concern, but a risk to the above-mentioned scenario. Finally, a lasting solution needs to be found. 3. The atrocious conditions of the majority of road networks, mainly in the rural areas, [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution Vote: Education

Admin2019-08-23T16:02:05+02:00August 15th, 2019|2019 Archive, Higher and Basic Education, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, Speeches|

1. The MEC’s commitment to further improve the matric results is most appreciated. The United Democratic Movement commits to support all efforts that will take our Eastern Cape learners to greater heights. However, education always exists in a world in transition. Accordingly teaching methods and curricula have got to constantly change to adapt to the changing environment both inside the classroom as well as in the outside world. 2. Let’s look at the past, [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Bongani Mahlati, MPL’s contribution the budget debate on Cogta

Admin2019-08-23T15:50:54+02:00August 15th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Mahlati, Cogta, Home|

Honourable Speaker Honourable Premier Honourable Members of the Executive Council Honourable Members of the Legislature Government officials Distinguished guests Ladies and gentleman I greet you all in the name of the Mighty Lord Jesus Christ (i) Honourable MEC you said that your priorities have been embedded into the B2B programme that your government adopted in the 5th term to consolidate support to municipalities and traditional institutions. It is only municipalities benefiting; neglecting traditional leaders, [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Bongani Mahlati, MPL’s contribution the budget debate on Health

Admin2019-08-23T15:39:32+02:00August 15th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Mahlati, Health, Home|

Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Bongani Mahlati, MPL’s contribution the budget debate on Health on 15 August 2019 Honourable Speaker, Honourable Premier and Honourable Members of the Executive, Honourable members and government officials, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) is of the view that the budget of R25,189 billion allocated to the department of Health, if it is utilised effectively and efficiently, can go a long way in improving the quality of health services to the [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution Vote: Office of the Premier

Admin2019-08-23T16:11:08+02:00August 14th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, Provincial Premier, Speeches|

1. This is the engine of the provincial administration which carries the aspirations of the citizens of the Eastern Cape. It is supposed to be the centre of policy formulation, implementation and coordination. It has to ensure that social and economic practise of the provincial administration are effected. However, it faces the challenge of a subdued economy inter-sphere policy conflicts, rampant maladministration, inability of both the municipalities and the government departments to manage finances [...]

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UDMYV: Return of “drug mule” Babsie Nobanda

Admin2019-08-14T14:45:22+02:00August 14th, 2019|2019 Archive, Economy, Job creation, Media statements: UDMYV, Youth Issues|

The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard would like to congratulate Nolubabalo “Babsie” Nobanda for taking her destiny into her own hands whilst imprisoned in Thailand for drug smuggling. She is returning home with a degree in communications obtained from the University of South Africa. However, we are concerned that she is coming back to a country with an alarming 29% youth unemployment, which is one of the major contributing factors to our young [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution Vote: Social Development

Admin2019-08-23T15:17:52+02:00August 13th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, Social development and welfare, Speeches|

Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker Honourable Premier and members of the executive Honourable Members of the Legislature Officials present here Distinguished Guests And visitors at the gallery be greeted in Jesus name The increase of the total budget for 2019/20 financial year is appreciated and will make a difference especially in Social Welfare Services, as most of our people, including youth, survive on this grant. Madam Speaker and Honourable Members, the issue of the [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution to the budget debate on economic development

Admin2019-08-23T15:06:15+02:00August 13th, 2019|2019 Archive, Economy, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, Speeches|

1. Having tried to juxtapose the MEC‘s policy speech with his department’s operational plan driven by such a minute budget, I could only conclude that the Eastern Cape government is going nowhere. When you reduce, by as much as 25%, the budget of Treasury, what do you expect to achieve in the sickly fiscal environment? If the whole province projects a revenue of R6 billion but commits to just R1, 4 billion then psychologically, [...]

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Eastern Cape Legislature: Mr Mncedisi Filtane, MPL’s contribution Vote 12: Treasury

Admin2019-08-23T15:06:53+02:00August 13th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, Speeches, Treasury|

1. Having tried to juxtapose the MEC‘s policy speech with his department’s operational plan driven by such a minute budget, I could only conclude that the Eastern Cape government is going nowhere. When you reduce, by as much as 25%, the budget of Treasury, what do you expect to achieve in the sickly fiscal environment? If the whole province projects a revenue of R6 billion but commits to just R1, 4 billion then psychologically, [...]

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Women’s Day: 25 years on and women are still under attack

Admin2019-08-08T17:27:51+02:00August 8th, 2019|2019 Archive, Media statements: UDEMWO, Thandi Nontenja, Women's Issues|

Ms Thandi Nontenja The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation would like to wish every woman out there, a good Woman’s Day. We are the mothers and daughters; we are well-able and there is absolutely nothing a woman cannot do. However, how do we celebrate Women’s Month if there is, in fact, nothing to celebrate? Twenty-five years down the line and women in this country still live with a target on their backs; [...]

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Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President’s address at the BPI Foundation’s 2019 Summit

Admin2019-08-01T15:16:30+02:00August 1st, 2019|#NationalSummit, 2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Corruption and clean governance, Economy, Government|

Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President’s address at the BPI Foundation’s 2019 Summit on 1 and 2 August 2019 at the Midrand Conference Centre Topic of discussion: “The oneness and shared success we seek and should aspire to as a new nation and developing country, while battling with deep wounds of our historical atrocities” • Our hosts at the BPI Foundation • Fellow speakers • Ladies and gentlemen 1. Thank you Thank you to the [...]

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Special message to Minister of Police re murder of Senzo Meyiwa

Admin2019-08-01T15:01:47+02:00August 1st, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Police|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General As the nation still mourns the passing away of Mr Sam Meyiwa, the father of the treasured footballer Senzo Meyiwa, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) has a special message for Minister of Police Bheki Cele to do whatever is needed to bring to book Senzo’s murderers. The UDM notes that the minister assured the Meyiwa family that the killers would be apprehended. Minister Cele must realise that [...]

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Bantu Holomisa reacts to ANC’s Jesse Duarte statement

Admin2019-07-31T16:44:41+02:00July 31st, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa|

Ms Jesse Duarte took the opportunity to make scornful remarks about leaders who have left the African National Congress (ANC), and casting aspersion on their integrity, in an SABC “documentary”. Clearly, the SABC is still run as a subsidiary of the ANC and it still uses the public broadcaster as a publicity tool, hiding its propaganda in the guise of so-called documentaries. Ms Duarte in a recent “documentary” attacked me by calling me a dictator. [...]

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Youth unemployment can only be solved at an Economic Indaba

Admin2019-07-30T14:29:21+02:00July 30th, 2019|#NationalSummit, 2019 Archive, Economy, Home, Job creation, Youth Issues|

Second quarter stats have shown that youth unemployment has risen significantly and President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned the citizens of this country to prepare themselves for more job losses. These pronouncements come just after the President’s famous promise of the creation of two million jobs in ten years’ time. President Ramaphosa cannot make beautiful statements in his SONA and budget speech address to only come to us a little later, saying things are not going [...]

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Butterworth school closure threatens children’s future

Admin2019-07-25T13:19:33+02:00July 25th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Higher and Basic Education|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement is aware of the shutdown of Zanokhanyo Junior Secondary School in Butterworth because of dilapidation. This illustrates the failure by the Eastern Cape and National Department of Education. On a daily basis, the ANC-led government emphasizes how important education is, but the condition of schools in the villages leaves a lot to be desired. Government does not walk the talk. The Eastern Cape [...]

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Holomisa writes to PIC Commission re alleged R2.5m personal loan from VBS to Dr Dan Matjila, former PIC boss

Admin2019-07-08T10:40:08+02:00July 8th, 2019|#PICScandal, 2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Corruption and clean governance, Home, Open Letters|

Dear Advocate Lubbe SC DR DAN MATJILA’S EXPECTED TESTIMONY AT THE MPATI COMMISSION: FURTHER GERMANE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM A WHISTLE-BLOWER I herewith acknowledge receipt of your email, dated 6 July 2019, wherein you informed me that - according to the rules of the commission of inquiry into allegations of impropriety regarding the Public Investment Corporation (‘the Commission’) - I may today be implicated in evidence to be submitted by Dr Dan Matjila, former Chief [...]

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The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal calls on the IFP to come clean on its forever lasting investigation of its uMzinyathi District Municipality Mayor

Admin2019-07-03T16:49:48+02:00July 3rd, 2019|2019 Archive, Corruption and clean governance, Government, Home, Media statements: UDM, UDM statements: KZN|

On 24 May 2019, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) exposed, in the form of recordings, the until then, widely speculated allegations of corruption of the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) uMzinyathi District Municipality Mayor. The allegations pertained to the siphoning off of funds from that municipality. In an Isolezwe newspaper article on the 3rd of June, IFP Spokesperson, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa, was quoted saying that the IFP was investigating the matter. On 7 June, during a [...]

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Response to the premier’s Eastern Cape SOPA on the 28th June 2019 delivered by the Honourable Mncedisi Filtane, UDM Member of the Eastern Cape Legislature

Admin2019-07-03T17:35:50+02:00June 28th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Mncedisi Filtane, SOPA, Speeches|

1. We would like to take this opportunity as the United Democratic Movement and formally congratulate you on your crowning as the Premier. However, William Shakespeare once scribed in Julius Caesar, if my memory serves me well: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’’. You will be no exception to this notion. Let us dissect the beast you presented to us. 2. The route to solving most social challenges lies in an inclusive [...]

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Response to the premier’s Eastern Cape SOPA delivered by the Honourable FG Mahlati, UDM Member of the Eastern Cape Legislature

Admin2019-07-03T19:32:34+02:00June 28th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Media statements: UDM, SOPA|

Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker Honourable Premier and Members of the Executive Honourable Members of the Legislature Officials present here Distinguished guests and visitors at the gallery Be greeted in Jesus’ name. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you, we wish you all of the best and happiness in your new venture, may this journey take you to the way of success. The Eastern Cape is faced with many challenges, like poor housing [...]

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Violent service delivery protests claim lives: this is not on!

Admin2019-06-28T13:05:56+02:00June 28th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Civil Disobedience, Housing and Human Settlements, Human rights, Media statements: UDM|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement has observed that there have been too many service delivery protests around South Africa, prior to elections and after. We hoped to see less of these occurrences, especially after elections, but seemingly they are increasing on a daily basis. We saw what happened when the red ants overran Alexandra in Johannesburg, when the life of a three months old baby was claimed. Yesterday in [...]

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Youth expectations for SONA: #DataMustFall

Admin2019-06-19T15:04:07+02:00June 19th, 2019|#DataMustFall, 2019 Archive, Home, Media statements: UDMYV, SONA, Youth Issues|

Yongama Zigebe, UDMYV Secretary Gauteng President Cyril Ramaphosa’s expected state of the nation address (SONA), must be solution orientated with a clear plan and time frames for its implementation. We as young people, and as the majority of the population, need things to happen and happen fast. We cannot have another rehash of old promises that raise our hopes with every SONA, only to be disappointed. We are expecting to hear more from [...]

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Youth Day 2019: economic emancipation for the young

Admin2019-06-14T15:54:00+02:00June 14th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Media statements: UDMYV, Youth Issues|

Yongama Zigebe, UDMYV Secretary Gauteng The United Democratic Movement (UDM) Youth Vanguard is concerned about the state of our nation since tough economic times leave the youth of South Africa out on the margins of economic participation. Our youth has for the past 25 years under democratic rule, been fighting for economic freedom, but in vain. We have been let down by the failure of every administration put in place to fulfil [...]

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UDESMO: Violence at schools and universities must stop

Admin2019-06-05T12:15:49+02:00June 5th, 2019|2019 Archive, Higher and Basic Education, Home, Media statements: UDESMO, Safety and Security, Youth Issues|

It is with deep despondency that the United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) heard of yet another act of serious violence at one of our institutions of learning, this time at Forest High School in Johannesburg. There were also reports of two Walter Sisulu University students who were killed at the weekend, at what is known as a “Freshers’ Braai”. South Africans have been bombarded with stories of severe bullying, sexual predation, violence and murder [...]

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UDMYV: Young leaders in government is encouraging

Admin2019-05-30T15:35:43+02:00May 30th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Media statements: UDMYV, Youth Issues|

The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDM Youth Vanguard) is pleased to note that this time around there are many young faces in cabinet and that some of the provincial MECs hail from the youth’s ranks. The UDM Youth Vanguard strongly feels that it will be in the best interest of the young people of South Africa if our debates in terms of unearthing common ideas to find solutions to our plight, should be [...]

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UDMYV: Young parliamentarians have a big task ahead

Admin2019-05-23T11:56:27+02:00May 23rd, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Media statements: UDMYV, Youth Issues|

Yongama Zigebe, UDMYV Secretary Gauteng The United Democratic Movement (UDM) Youth Vanguard congratulates all the young persons who were sworn into the sixth democratic parliament. It is encouraging to see that quite a number of the members of parliament who took the oath yesterday represent the youth of South Africa. Yet, this happens at a time where our youth faces many challenges, such as plummeting unemployment prospects, the lack of fee free [...]

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The 6th parliament will make or break South Africa

Admin2019-05-22T16:41:45+02:00May 22nd, 2019|2019 Archive, Bongani Msomi, Home, Media statements: UDM|

Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s future as our 6th parliament is established today. However, only time will tell whether the next five years will in fact bring to life President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed new dawn. As per the UDM’s longstanding advice, we in particular await President Ramaphosa’s substantial reduction of cabinet and that the rotten apples will not find their way back [...]

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World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Admin2019-05-21T13:47:53+02:00May 21st, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, Human rights, Media statements: UDM, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, Social development and welfare|

Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, UDM Deputy President On this day, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we are reminded of how we should respect one another’s constitutional rights and, specifically, each South African’s right to cultural expression. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that cultural diversity drives change, not only with respect to economic growth, but it also assists our society to achieve sustainable development, which in turn reduces poverty. [...]

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UDM’s reaction to election 2019 results

Admin2019-05-11T13:47:49+02:00May 11th, 2019|2019 Archive, 2019 Election Campaign, Home, Media statements: UDM|

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) wishes to thank South Africans who took part in the 2019 national and provincial elections and in particular those who voted for the UDM and placed their trust in us. We are surprised and disappointed at the UDM’s performance and we will have to go back to the drawing board to determine where we went wrong, with our eyes firmly on an improved result in the 2021 and 2024 [...]

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Bantu Holomisa’s address at a UDM Election Rally the Khutsong Stadium, Carletonville

Admin2019-05-04T14:17:44+02:00May 4th, 2019|2019 Archive, 2019 Election Campaign, Bantu Holomisa, Speeches|

• National Leadership of the UDM • Provincial and regional leaders of the party • UDM members and supporters • Fellow South Africans 1. Introduction A big thank you goes out to the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leaders and activists who have worked tirelessly in our campaigns over the past few months. The UDM does not have the luxury of spending millions of rands on our electioneering. But, we managed to stage a successful campaign [...]

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Funding for rain disaster in Durban should be diversified

Admin2019-04-30T14:14:45+02:00April 30th, 2019|2019 Archive, Home, UDM statements: KZN|

Whilst the United Democratic Movement (UDM), commends the intervention of both the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the President, the UDM is of the view that the funds should be diversified to; 1. Offer immediate help to the victims; 2. Attend to the water-drainage infrastructure which seems to be inadequate, to cater for heavy storms in order to deal with communities’ anxiety due to the uncertainty of [...]

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eNCA is biased towards some political parties

Admin2019-04-30T11:15:36+02:00April 30th, 2019|2019 Archive, 2019 Election Campaign, Home, Media statements: UDM, Thandi Nontenja|

Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja, UDM President The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is shocked and offended by eNCA’s style of running its programming in the run-up to the 8th of May elections. We were invited to a party panel discussion to unpack our manifesto, on the 2nd of May, just to be unceremoniously disinvited, because only the “three big parties” will be given an opportunity to participate. The political playing field is level at [...]

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Dedicating Freedom Day 2019, to Thuli Madonsela

Admin2019-04-27T11:22:54+02:00April 27th, 2019|2019 Archive, Bantu Holomisa, Home, Media statements: UDM, State Capture Inquiry, Zumagate|

South Africa started well in 1994 as we continued on the road of the noble ideals of protecting human rights and promoting the freedom of our people. There is much to be proud of, but the hard reality is that corruption, lies and mismanagement has been tearing at our socioeconomic fabric to the point where this nation has been brought down on its knees. It is for this reason that the United Democratic Movement [...]

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UDM posters in KwaZulu-Natal being continually removed from street poles

Admin2019-04-16T16:54:08+02:00April 16th, 2019|2019 Archive, 2019 Election Campaign, Home, UDM statements: KZN|

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), expresses concern and disgust at the provocation by some counter-revolutionary elements of society, who only target and remove UDM posters. This has been happening in Mangosuthu Highway in Umlazi, in the Durban city centre and in other areas in the province. It seems that our presence and the people’s overwhelming welcoming of the UDM across the province, sent an unexpected shock to some parties, which gives them [...]

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Bantu Holomisa’s address at a UDM Election Rally at Marikana

Admin2019-04-14T14:25:10+02:00April 14th, 2019|2019 Archive, 2019 Election Campaign, Bantu Holomisa, Economy, Home, Labour, Marikana Massacre, Minerals and Energy, Police brutality, Public Investment Corporation, SA Mining Industry, Speeches|

• National Leadership of the UDM • Provincial and regional leaders of the party • UDM members and supporters • Fellow South Africans 1. Introduction Greetings to you all and thank you for welcoming the United Democratic Movement (UDM) into your midst with such open arms. We have been here many times after that fateful day on 16 August 2012. We still mourn the loss of life and pray that those who paid with [...]

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Bantu Holomisa speaks at a Unisa panel discussion on the 2019 general elections

Admin2019-04-12T10:10:35+02:00April 12th, 2019|#FeesMustFall, #NationalSummit, 2019 Archive, 2019 Election Campaign, Bantu Holomisa, Corruption and clean governance, Economy, Elections, Higher and Basic Education, Home, Human rights, Infrastructure development, Job creation, Land, Public Service and Administration, Public Works, Safety and Security, Speeches, Xenophobia|

• Our hosts today • Dr Somadoda Fikeni, our moderator • Those who represent the various departments that sponsored this panel discussion • My colleagues from other political parties • Academics and students • Ladies and gentlemen Thank you for affording me the opportunity to have a chat with you today. 1. The UDM’s road of success The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has since its inception batted on the wicket of the ethics of [...]

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UDM meeting discussing Xenophobia