• Our newly arrived young lions
• Ladies and gentlemen

1. Welcome
Today the United Democratic Movement (UDM) proudly accepts a group of young lions into the fold.

Welcome!

You will have to hit the ground running as elections are around the corner.

As new members of the UDM you will be part of the drive to rid our country of one-party dominance.

We have all witnessed how one-party dominance has brought South Africa to its knees. Corruption has permeated into all sectors of society.

Recent revelations have verified that government monies have been channelled to the ruling party via front companies.

In essence, the taxpayer has footed the bill for the ruling party to, amongst others, ferry people to its rallies.

Bosasa CEO, Gavin Watson, does not fear arrest, because to arrest Watson is to arrest the ANC.

Government institutions are led by ruling party deployees that are mandated to channel money to Luthuli House.

We can abide by the fact that Nomvula Mokonyane and her ilk will never face the consequences of their actions, precisely because they are deployees of ruling party.

2. What does the UDM’s manifesto say about our youth

It is a given that this country rests on the shoulders of young South Africans, yet they are side-lined from economic and other opportunities.

But, there are other possibilities for the youth to be their own wealth creators.

The UDM therefore subscribes to the belief that our youth should not only rely on the private sector or government to create job opportunities.

This is why the UDM would implement the following policies once it is in government:
• Identifying markets for small firms through promoting domestic and foreign connections to adequately address both the supply and demand side of the economy.
• Developing capacity in the areas of improved business and entrepreneurial skills.
• Identifying loan and capital sources, as well as facilitating loans and investments in community businesses.
• Investing in sector-based planning and implementation, including the creation of sector-specific banks to provide financial assistance to young South Africans.

Also, under a UDM government, funding will be made available for political parties represented in parliament to have leadership training programmes to teach our youth, amongst others, about their country, current affairs, the constitution, patriotism, human rights, the political landscape, a culture of ownership, as well as respect.

3. Your task as UDM members

• When we leave here today, go to your communities and preach the gospel of the UDM.

• Make people understand that we, as citizens, must save South Africa from the slippery slope of corruption.

• Go from door-to-door and speak to our people of the new direction the UDM envisages for our country.

• Explain to them that the UDM’s political philosophy is based on integrity, dignity and prosperity.

Integrity amongst our ranks.

Dignity for our people and,

Prosperity for all South Africans.

I thank you