Admin
22 Mar, 1999
UDM Manifesto Launch Election 1999 “The future hope for all South Africans”
Address by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP in Johannesburg, Gauteng It is most appropriate that the release today of our manifesto coincides with the weekend of our National Youth Conference, because we are charting a future, which will be led by the youth. Our objectives therefore address the needs of the future which belongs to them. We are grateful to our youth movement for inviting us to share ideas with them and keep us relevant to their needs and aspirations. In our manifesto we address the historical imbalances which are the heritage of this century. It is up to us to ensure that we do not enter the new millennium with the baggage and legacy of conflict, corruption, greed and selfishness of the 20th century. We must begin a fresh and promising era. This is the challenge facing us all. On the 2nd of June 1999, South Africans will be voting in the last South African elections this century. These elections are of a tremendous significance to the people of South Africa who will be choosing which political party has the most relevant vision and best capacity to lead the country into the next millennium. The main challenge of this year’s election is to give hope to millions of disillusioned South Africans who have seen most of the promises made by incumbent government evaporate before their eyes. South Africans demand an apology from the ANC government for failing them. Further, the choice which will be made on 2nd June 1999 will be about building a government that is clean, accountable and who cares for the people. It will also be about a government which will make South Africa a competent nation that enjoys the support of its citizens and the respect of other nations. As UDM we must give leadership and clarity to a people whose material well-being has degenerated to unparalleled levels even under apartheid. We must restore faith in governance by reversing the process of disempowerment. Our poor working people have been systematically edged out of employment with no prospects of alternative employment for them. Millions of the unemployed, whose ranks are annually swelled by school leavers and more retrenchments, stare a bleak future in the eye. The 1994 elections in our country provided a historic framework for the transition from apartheid oppression towards an era of democracy and prosperity. The transition was conceived in various phases with each phase costing the lives of many South Africans as they, in different ways, struggled to develop a common vision and purpose in the search for a democratic society. Unfortunately, for South African people, the reality in our country indicate that the ANC-led government neither has the will nor the ability to govern. This reality is seen in the escalation of unemployment, crime, interest rates, corruption and the general state of institutional decay in all spheres of government. We in the UDM must arrest this downward spiral which is turning state departments and corporations into a playground for ANC deployed members, who line their pockets by driving other black and white South Africans into the streets in the name of down-sizing and rationalisation. The UDM will substitute a new economic philosophy for ANC’s GEAR. The ANC’s policies are impervious to the needs of the disadvantaged who are bewildered by the disregard of their needs by a government they voted into power. The poor have paid the capital price to ensure the success of a struggle they waged in the fore-front when those who now enjoy the fruits of their labour were touring the capitals of the world. Our manifesto is a statement of intent, which provides a framework for a ten-year period within which we would govern when elected to government. The manifesto seeks to address the glaring national grievances and provides alternatives and solutions in the future as the way forward. Inspired by our unifying love for our country and respect of her people for each other we will address these grievances. It is only by means of genuine co-operation and partnership that we, South Africans, will be empowered to ensure a better quality of life and individual freedom for every citizen, family and community. This will be based on good governance and civil order. One of the most serious flaws in the economic policy of the present government has been a blind leap onto a band-wagon of globalisation without taking the necessary measures to protect local emerging industries and markets which have become the dumping ground for cheap foreign goods. The demise of local industries as a result of unfair competition resulting from inferior technology of the sanctions era has resulted in massive job losses and stifling of economic growth. Our manifesto recognises that globalisation is a reality, but argues for a balanced global strategy that does not reduce South Africa into a satellite economy. An UDM government will develop an economic policy that will enable our economy to withstand the external shocks that have rocked the Asian tigers and other emerging markets. To that end the UDM has adopted a policy of enterprise development to empower South Africans to create wealth and thereby narrowing the gap between the have’s and the have-nots. However, globalisation accounts for only part of our economic woes. Lack of investor confidence has been occasioned by lawlessness and escalating crime. Rightly or wrongly there is a growing perception that the relocating and delisting of mining giants like Anglo-American is linked to the deteriorating law and order and lack of confidence in the future of South Africa. We need to arrest this process and restore confidence. In this regard, the UDM will adopt realistic and committed strategies to stop the rampant crime wave and to transform the penal code into an effective mechanism for punishing wrong doers. In line with our philosophy of an integrated approach, we propose a single Ministry of Civil Order. This Ministry of Civil Order will combine the current ministries of Justice, Safety and Security, Correctional Services, National Intelligence and Defence into one, effective mechanism to combat crime and restore civil order in South Africa. In doing so we shall instil pride and commitment in our law enforcement agencies to ensure their loyalty and dedication to their job of protecting the public and divest them of the feeling of despair and disillusionment at the hands of a government which treats them with contempt. We will give the people an opportunity to decide whether the life of a murderer is more valuable than that of its victim, by holding a referendum on the death penalty. The UDM recognises that while students in centres of learning must be given a hearing and allowed to make a meaningful contribution to the learning process, their primary responsibility to themselves and their parents who pay their fees is to restore the culture of learning. Learn in the process and equip them to salvage the disadvantaged from the throes of perpetual enslavement. The students of today and in the future must take a leadership position in society which only skills can assure. Conversely, we will not countenance lawlessness, anarchy and disrespect for authority law and order. Ladies and Gentlemen, the foreign policy of the UDM will determinedly work towards reclaiming the international opportunities squandered under most favourable circumstances. We will play a leading role internationally by assiduously co-operating with other states, the U.N., the O.A.U. and the Non-aligned Movement to protect and promote human rights and democracy on a universal basis. The UDM believe that South Africa’s role on our continent and in our region can be meaningful without being hegemonic and coercive in our approach. For that to be a reality we need a foreign policy that reflects the wishes of our people and the wisdom of our parliament so that we are not accused of following destabilisation policies of the apartheid era. Therefore in our region, the UDM government will play a significant role through co-operation and consultation in all forms of interactions including trade, investments security and other forms of partnerships in order to bring shared development and happiness to the many disadvantaged in our region and continent who have yet to realise the material benefits of political liberation. As far as the elections are concerned, we are fully prepared for a hostile winter election. The ANC, by its own admission, is mobilising its forces to stop the growth of the UDM all over South Africa. We are hardly surprised that no other party has been targeted, like ours, because scientific forecasts indicate that the UDM is the fastest growing party in South Africa. The UDM is the only party that can erode the power base of the ANC. It is up to the UDM and all its supporters that all the checks and balances as enshrined in our constitution are guaranteed. As long as South Africa is being seen by the international world as drifting towards a one-party state, investor confidence will elude us. It is for this reason that we are calling for a more objective and non-partisan election monitoring mechanisms. To this end I have recommended to the I.E.C. Commissioners to convene a summit of all the leaders of the registered political parties to clear some concerns related to the levelling of the political playing field. However, it is to the credit of our leaders at all levels that our membership growth patterns reflect that we have support in all South African communities irrespective of colour, race or class. This is testimony to our total break with the past and the acceptance of the UDM as a political home for all South Africans. The UDM has a message for all South Africans. Our lack of resources should not constrain the distribution of this manifesto. We appeal to all South Africans to make this document accessible to all voters. This will enable them to make informed decisions when they vote. We have moved from the past and converged on a common course to a shared future. Any suggestions, as have been made, that we are a marriage of convenience or a home of outcasts is devoid of truth. We have severed all links with the past. We are a party of the future. We are a party of hope. Those who think otherwise are themselves extinct dinosaurs. In summary, the UDM believes in alternative, independent and competitive politics and responsible government; UDM believes in empowering all South Africans; UDM offers hope; this is our challenge. If you want to preserve South Africa’s beautiful land and cultural diversity; If you are concerned with the ANC’s economic dependence on outside forces and jobless growth; If you are aggrieved by the escalating crime; If you are concerned by the deteriorating health and educational standards in state hospitals, clinics and schools; If you are concerned with the uncontrolled influx of illegal aliens into South Africa, who deprive South Africans of employment opportunities; If you are concerned about our neglected senior citizens and handicapped; If you are concerned with the misuse of government resources, bribery and corruption, theft and fraud in the government departments; If you are concerned with the low morale of our law enforcement agencies. THEN VOTE UDM!!!!!! Thank you
Admin
19 Mar, 1999
Indictment of Allan Boesak
Statement by Bantu Holomisa UDM President There are few things more distressing in this world than witnessing a hero’s fall into disgrace, particularly when that fall is brought about by the hero himself. Many South African’s are suffering from a harsh sense of disillusionment today. After all, Allan Boesak was a world-renowned clergyman and a champion of human rights who showed tremendous courage in our struggle against apartheid. When a man who fought such a dignified and noble fight succumbs so easily and unabashedly to greed, mendacity and hypocrisy, those who had respected him are left feeling cheated, foolish, and, perhaps, a little cynical. The UDM only hopes that this shameful incident will serve as a wake-up call to South Africa. It is no secret that thousands of rands mysteriously disappear every year from the people’s coffers, and yet it is very rare that someone is actually held responsible for this money. It is time that we demand accountability and transparency from our leaders. We have come too far and suffered too much to allow ourselves to be exploited now. There is no longer any room for corruption in South Africa. The UDM applauds the Cape High Court for acting on its conviction in such a controversial and high profile case. Government must know that corruption will no longer be tolerated, and the ANC, in particular, must rid itself of crooked politicians and officials at the national and provincial level. Until this happens, the slogan, “A Better Future For All”, will continue to be quite a good joke.”
Admin
09 Mar, 1999
Murder of UDM members in the Western Cape
Statement by the National Deputy Secretary The UDM is deeply disturbed by the killing of three of its members in the Western Cape, during the past 24 hours. The President of the UDM together with all UDM leaders and members of the party would like to express its deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased, the wounded and the community. The political intolerance that is demonstrated through these kind of brutal actions is unacceptable in a young, fragile developing democracy like our own. The systematic killings of UDM leaders remind one of the assassinations of IFP leaders in KwaZulu Natal before the 1994 elections. All political parties and role players in democracy must condemn political connected incidents such as these in the strongest possible terms. The ANC as governing party must be careful to point fingers and allocate blame like they did yesterday morning after the killing of an ANC councillor. All political parties, including the governing party, should display maturity and responsibility in dealing with such sensitive matters. By making wild and unsubstantiated allegations, the lives of innocent people are put in danger. The UDM is perturbed by the threat that these type of actions so early in the campaign holds for the possibility of running free and democratic elections. The UDM calls on all political parties, the Independent Electoral Commission and institutions of civil society, committed to democracy, to speak out against these kinds of actions. The UDM asks that you add your voice to ours in calling for an independent investigation into these and other related incidents. Every victim is a reminder of our failure as democrats to act decisively with these matters, failing our responsibility to develop and protect democracy in South Africa. The UDM will work tirelessly in achieving free democratic activity in our country. We will not fail the electorate. Tomorrow, Wednesday 10 March, the President of the UDM, Bantu Holomisa will visit the families of the victims and address the community. He will meet with the police investigating these brutal killings and will raise with them the community and our concern of bias actions by the police.
Admin
03 Mar, 1999
UDM’s response to election announcement
Statement by Bantu Holomisa UDM President The UDM welcomes the announcement of the election date. It gives certainty, allows for proper planning, and gives parties time to inform the electorate about their policies. We hope the elections will be free and fair and that tolerance will be practiced, in the run up to the elections, on Election Day and after the results have been made public. The UDM calls on the IEC to stick to their timetable to ensure that the elections are run properly. All role players, (i.e.) political parties, IEC, Government, and the media should go into the election realising our democracy is still young and fragile and must be handled with care. The elections and the run up to the elections will contribute to the development of our young democracy.
Admin
03 Mar, 1999
Independent commission of inquiry: KwaZulu-Natal
Statement by Bantu Holomisa UDM President The announcement by Minister for Safety and Security that he is requesting Minister of Justice, Dullah Omar to appoint an Independent judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violence in KZN is welcomed by the UDM. Since July 1998, the UDM has been calling for an Independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the root causes of the violence in KZN. The life of the late Secretary General of the UDM, Sifiso Nkabinde and many other innocent victims could have been saved did the ANC then adhered to this call. Though it is late in the day, we are glad that reason at last prevails in the governing party regarding this very sad situation. The scope of work of this commission should not be limited to come up with preventative measures. It should definitely investigate and provide answers to the question of who were behind this spiral of violence. We need to have a full picture of the situation in KZN in order to understand it completely. Preventative measures will not succeed unless the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes and their ruthless masters are brought to book. Not investigating the past cycle of violence and who were behind it raises questions about who it is that government would like to protect?
Admin
25 Feb, 1999
Statement by Sipo Mzimela upon expulsion from the IFP
As you already know, yesterday I was expelled from the IFP and all its organs with immediate effect. My expulsion was prompted by my insistence that party matters must be handled in free and open discussion. The IFP culture is one of blindly following whatever Chief Gatsha Buthelezi says. The so-called disciplinary hearing lasted approximately 30 minutes. My accusers were not the normal disciplinary committee. They were a specially assembled panel of seven Buthelezi henchmen who made up their minds to expel me before the hearing. As a result I saw no reason to contest their decision. There are some who feel I should have rejoined the ANC. Such a step would prove untenable since the IFP will most likely become a surrogate of the ANC after the elections. After due consultation with my family, friends, and advisors I have decided to join the United Democratic Movement, convinced that this is the party that represents a NEW BEGINNING. The majority of South Africans still need to be liberated from various forms of oppression – violence, intolerance, poverty, ignorance, etc. South Africa needs a new value system to guide her into the 21st century and beyond. In my view, the UDM is well placed to create and lead the new South Africa.
Admin
25 Feb, 1999
NIA involvement in PAGAD
Statement by Bantu Holomisa UDM President The revelations of the involvement of a NIA agent in PAGAD is shocking and alarming. It requires immediate explanation and independent investigation. The sudden rush by government to come up with laws against urban terrorism becomes under these circumstances very suspicious. From this incident, it appears as if NIA as a security arm of government is actually sponsors of incidents of urban terrorism. The question that needs answering, if one looks at the bigger picture is in whose interest is NIA working? Did they have prior knowledge of attacks of urban terror? Did they know about the threats against the lives of police personnel? In the fight against crime we should have one law enforcement agency and that agency should be working in the interest of South Africa as a whole and not in the interest of one group. Allegations of drug trafficking by certain members of government has been leveled – and inconceivable in the light of NIA involvement with PAGAD one can not but wonder who is threatened and who is protected. Under the ANC government the line between personal interest and the interest of the state and its people, became blurred. Is there any difference between the previous government’s third force activities and what is happening now? The ANC government must come clean on this issue and the only way is through an independent and transparent commission of inquiry.
Admin
25 Feb, 1999
University of Durban Westville – demonstrations on campus
Statement by UDM KwaZulu-Natal Acting Chairperson It is the democratic right of students to demonstrate peacefully, they must not disrupt classes or fellow students who want to attend lectures. For students to demonstrate, they must have a strong reason. If they have failed their exams, and if they have not paid their fees, there is no place for so called “students” at higher tertiary institutions. They are wasting tax payer’s money. We encourage students to continue their studies and empower themselves with knowledge for the future. It is the responsibility of each student to pay their university fees, and they must study hard to pass their exam. We would like the Vice Chancellor of the University of Westville to tell the public: How many students are demonstrating? What are their reasons for demonstrating? What the University plans to do about the demonstrating students? How is the University going to protect students who want to attend classes?
Admin
17 Feb, 1999
Evidence regarding the assassination of Sifiso Nkabinde
Statement by the National Deputy Secretary Following speculations of arrests and evidence received regarding the assassination of Sifiso Nkabinde, the UDM would like to put forward the following information. A man came to the UDM offices in Pietersburg claiming that he was involved in the assassination of Sifiso Nkabinde. A Videotape of his evidence as well as a sworn affidavit was taken down from the individual. In his evidence, he also said that attacks were planned against other leaders of the UDM. The UDM views this in a serious light. The video together with the sworn affidavit were handed over to Advocate MacAdams, the head of the special investigating team appointed to investigate the assassination of Sifiso Nkabinde. The individual who came forward with the evidence was also cross-questioned by the investigating team. The UDM expects of the police to deal with this and all other leads in a serious manner. All evidence that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this crime must be followed up. We will accept nothing less from the investigating team and the police. The UDM refers all enquiries regarding the evidence back to Advocate MacAdams of the Attorney General’s Office in KwaZulu Natal. It remains in the end the responsibility of the Criminal justice System and all its components to see to it that justice are done.
Admin
17 Feb, 1999
Budget 1999/2000
Statement by Bantu Holomisa UDM President There are no surprises in the Budget presented to Parliament today. It is however a positive sign that the Minister has not deviated from the economic policy embodied in GEAR, which will promote economic confidence in South Africa. Regarding economic growth projections, we are moving in the right direction, but at too slow a pace. The projected economic growth rate of 1,8% for 1999 is simply not high enough to reach the levels of growth we need to create wealth for all South Africans. The UDM welcomes the reduction in company tax from 35% to 30%. This is a positive step towards creating an improved climate for investment. We regard the announcement on tax relief for individuals on the lower income group, as insufficient. The UDM is of the opinion that all tax on income of individuals up to R4 000 per month should be abolished. Only such a bold step will really benefit the poor in our society. The announced tax relief must be put into perspective. Any salary increase will push individuals in a higher bracket. This means that the effective tax burden continues to increase. The tax to income ratio for individuals has increased to record levels. It will therefore be an illusion to indicate that tax reductions are substantial, or that this ratio has decreased. The government expects an increase of 8.2% from individual income tax in the 1999/2000 financial year. Where will they get this revenue, other than from individual taxpayers? A significant announcement by the Minister is the loss by the South African Reserve Bank of R13,3 billion. This loss was incurred in attempts by the SARB to protect the currency, and is for the account of the Government. The question is where is the Government going to find this money and how are they going to pay? This incurred loss emphasises the fact that an urgent reconsideration of our exchange rate management is needed. We urgently need a new approach in this regard. The announced Budget deficit of 3,5% of Gross Domestic Product is twice as high as the average for the emerging world. The UDM is of the opinion that the Budget deficit should be abolished immediately, by way of ruthless cut backs on all unproductive government activities. The Budget deficit currently equates to 12% of total state spending. It therefore will mean to terminate the least essential 12% of government activity. A range of other measures can be considered to support such a step. The UDM is surprised that the Minister has failed to address an accelerated privatisation programme, which can also be used to reduce government debt. We are disappointed that no new and imaginative ideas were produced by the Minister to assist small businesses in South Africa. The UDM believes that enterprise development is the one important factor that can empower South African and that can build our economy. The Minister has failed to announce anything in addition to combat crime, or to restore civil order in South Africa. The impression is created that the Government has no sense of urgency to tackle this most serious problem in our society. In conclusion: the Government has a dismal economic performance over the last 5 years regarding job creation. Today’s Budget showed little evidence that they have the political will to be serious about our most serious socio-economic problem in South Africa.
Admin
10 Feb, 1999
Holomisa’s response to Mufamandi’s “safer SA” claim
Statement by Bantu Holomisa UDM President In a statement today, Sydney Mufamadi, the Minister of Safety and Security, made the claim that the crime situation in South Africa is “improving”. “We are convinced that the initiatives which we have taken… will correct the initial asymmetry which allowed criminals to go about their enterprise with impunity,” said Mufamadi. I am bewildered by this statement. This “initial asymmetry” must be some sort of bureaucratise for “no government policy” or “failed government policy”. According to the minister’s assessment of the statistics, safe and peaceful times are just around the corner for South Africa. The UDM prefers something more reliable than crime statistics. We prefer to talk to directly to South Africans. As we campaign across the country, people are telling us the opposite. The citizens we meet on a daily basis are now more afraid for their safety and security than ever, statistics or no statistics. While the UDM applauds the minor improvements in certain areas, we must emphasise the staggering deterioration in others. Naïve optimism is misplaced and inappropriate. The citizens of South Africa demand leadership in this area, not some band-aid approach to the crime situation during an election year. Civil order requires more than just lip-service. We feel that, currently, the government is actually undermining confidence in the forces of law and order. The UDM will work to ensure that public confidence is restored. The UDM is serious about crime, elections or no elections.
Admin
08 Feb, 1999
Human Science Resource Council poll; shows UDM is gaining momentum
Statement by Roelf Meyer UDM Deputy-President The Human Science Research Council, a respected South African research firm, announced a poll showing that if the elections for Parliament were held today, 9% of South Africans would cast their ballot for the United Democratic Movement. UDM President, Bantu Holomisa said, “That’s marvelous.” Roelf Meyer, UDM Deputy-President, echoed those sentiments, “9%, wonderful.” Holomisa and Meyer said, “We are very pleased with these results. It has been only 15 months since we founded the party, and to already have this type of support is very gratifying. We are not satisfied yet, but we are certainly headed in the right direction.” Holomisa and Meyer continued, “There are two big reasons the UDM is experiencing such dramatic growth as we approach the elections. First, it is because of the quality of the people we have in our party. At the national, provincial and local levels the UDM has attracted a group of loyal and dedicated workers. The result of this poll is a reflection of the tireless hard work our organizers have done on the ground. Our thanks go out to all those workers across the country. They are the backbone of our party. Keep up the good work. “The second reason for our success is our message. We offer South African voters a clear alternative to the failed policies of the ANC whether it is on crime, unemployment, education or healthcare. The voters are beginning to realize there is only one political party that will offer a constructive and credible opposition to the ANC. Only one party’s opposition is not rooted in the past or aimed at a narrow segment of South African society. The voters realize there is only one opposition party that represents South Africans from across the racial and socio-economic spectrums. That party is, of course, the UDM.” Holomisa and Meyer concluded by saying, “This is a nice shot in the arm. We obviously have the momentum, but much hard work remains to be done. We need to prepare for the only poll that counts, the one at the end of May when South African voters cast their ballots.”
Admin
01 Feb, 1999
UDM visit to Germany
Statement by Roelf Meyer UDM Deputy-President A UDM delegation, led by President Bantu Holomisa, has departed for Germany this morning, on a visit arranged by the Konrad-Adenhauer- Foundation. This includes visits to Potsdam, Berlin, Bonn, and Wiesbaden. The delegation will hold meetings with representatives of national and provincial governments and will also observe a provincial election. Mr. Holomisa is accompanied by the acting National Secretary Annelizé van Wyk, National Deputy Chairperson Salaam Abram-Mayet, and National Organiser Kingsley Masemola.
Admin
13 Jan, 1999
Elections under threat
Statement by the National Deputy Secretary The repeated statement by the IEC chairperson, Judge Kriegler that the IEC does not have enough funding to conduct the elections properly, is a matter of grave concern. In order to be independent and effective in ensuring free and fair elections the IEC needs to be properly funded. The UDM has stated before that by not providing the IEC with the necessary funding the vital independence role of the IEC comes under threat. Government needs to provide the IEC with the necessary funding to ensure that the IEC can without a shadow of a doubt conduct its tasks and with credibility be able to declare the 1999 elections free and fair. The UDM however also believes that the IEC itself needs to ensure that this is possible. Scepticism exists over the spending of the IEC. What is it that the IEC up to date has spent its allocated budget on? Putting forward a budget is one thing, but what that money was actually spent on is another question. The UDM would be interested in the IEC making public an actual income and expenditure statement up to date. Somehow priorities seem not to have been addressed. Here one needs just to recall the lack of awareness programs during the first registration process to see to what extent priorities have been poorly dealt with. The UDM knows that the non-availability of the election date is also an obstacle in proper planning for the elections. This is true not only for the IEC but also for the planning of campaigns, the preparation of civil society for the elections as well as the much needed voter education programmes. While the earlier proclamation of the date needs a constitutional change, nothing is stopping the President to announce the election date. The UDM would urge him in the interest of democracy as a whole to do that as a matter of urgency. The IEC in handling and managing the elections must remember that it is serving the South African voter public and democracy before anything or anybody else. The IEC would therefore do well to communicate with South Africans the full picture regarding the obstacles it is facing in preparing for the elections. In the interest of democracy and in ensuring a free and fair election the IEC is obliged to do exactly that.
Admin
12 Jan, 1999
UDM sceptical about new school year
Statement by the National Deputy Secretary At the beginning of the education year, the UDM is concerned about the administration and running of the Department of Education in support of Education as a whole. Five years since the ANC took over government and still there are not enough books and stationery for schools. Despite promises by President Mandela personally that pupils will be able to begin this year without the necessary textbooks. The UDM believes that education forms the basis from which the future of South Africa would be build. In order to achieve effective education that would empower South Africans with the necessary skills, a partnership between government, the learner, teachers, parents and the community is needed. Education requires commitment from all of these role players, each playing a vital roll in determining the success of the education year. The UDM urges government to fulfill its part in the education partnership. Government is responsible for the moral of the teachers, for the delivery of the necessary textbooks, stationery and the administration of the department. This creates the environment in which education takes place and in the past years we have seen that government failed in providing this much needed environment for education. Learners have demonstrated that they can perform well under the most difficult of circumstances. Education is a privilege and comes with a certain responsibility. Make use of the opportunity provided and lay the groundwork for a better future.
Admin
10 Jan, 1999
Mufamadi on safety and security
Statement by Bantu Holomisa Minister of Safety and Security, Sydney Mufamadi’s statement that “…they had finally come to grips with combating crime” based on a small number of arrests of high profile cases, clearly illustrates the naivety with witch the ANC government approaches the issue of crime. By admission of Commissioner Maharaj (at the same conference), little improvement was made in the fight against priority crimes. The arrest of suspects in crimes that received national media coverage is not enough to claim that you have come to grips with combating crime. It is only when there is a clear, noticeable and consistent decline of priority crimes, affecting all societies, when statements like these can be made with an iota of credibility. The majority of the SAPS staff is working far beyond their call of duty and under very difficult circumstances and in most instances completely without the most basic resources. The UDM appreciates this efforts well realising that in order to fight crime effectively requires a partnership. The ANC would do well to stop making politics out of the issue of crime. As government it has clearly illustrated that it does not have the will or ability to combat crime and to give the streets back to law abiding citizens. The unbearable situation in the Western Cape is a point in case where crime is used as the ball in the political game between the National Party and the ANC. In stead of trying to find a lasting solution and to bring the culprits to book, the ANC and the NP in the Western Cape is shifting blame. In doing so, they are creating a breading ground, fertile for criminals to strengthen their own agenda. If the National Party honestly believes, that it, as provincial government, can not make a difference to the crime situation in the Western Cape, then they should do away with the position of MEC for Safety and Security. The money saved from running such a department and portfolio can then rather be used for programmes to establish a culture of respect for law and order in the province. You can not have the best of two worlds. What are the residents of the Western Cape then paying Mr. Wiley a salary for? Politicians should realise that crime is too an important issue to be used for small political gains and point scoring. The people affected by crime are real people, their pain and loss is not merely statistics. Mr. Mufamadi would do well to remember this the next time he attempts to whitewash the crime situation in the country.
Admin
06 Jan, 1999
Youth registration
Statement by the UDM National Deputy Secretary The United Democratic Movement supports the joint effort of the IEC and the National Youth Commission to embark on a programme to get the youth to register and participate in the upcoming elections. The UDM fully utilised the opportunity to participate in this process. The UDM is concerned with the National Youth Commissions apparent lack of understanding of the extent of the looming crisis. The UDM will seek a meeting with the IEC as we are calling for a youth registration day. We call for a day focusing on registering the youth at school and university’s across the country. Registration must take place under the banner of the IEC and be supported by the NYC. Even though the NYC lacks the ability to conduct an effective campaign, they do have the capacity to support the IEC. We regret the NYC’s departure point that the low voter registration, especially amongst the youth does not represent a crisis. The low registration reflects on the youth’s loss of confidence in the structure of government – including the NYC. Those structures and institutions have failed to demonstrate to the youth a commitment to serve the interests of the youth. It is critical that the youth are made aware of the impact that their votes would contribute to their own future and the future of the country. We say to the youth that you have the power to rock the boat, by rocking the vote, so get jamming and register.
