It’s that time of the year again. And every year I wrestle with how we feel about the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence and Abuse against Women and Children campaign that kicks off on November and runs until December 10. Although the campaign is held for only sixteen days, for it to be successful it rests on each individual and the nation as a whole in taking action for the security, protection and [...]
Speaker and Honourable Members, The UDM supports the Bill. We support the extension of the mandate of the Development Bank of Southern Africa to provide infrastructure development finance to key infrastructure sectors, such as water and sanitation, energy, transport, education, health and ICT beyond the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), that is, to the rest of the African continent. This step will in our view go a long way towards enhancing trade, economic growth and [...]
by Bantu Holomisa in the National Assembly Honourable Deputy-Chairperson Honourable Deputy President Honourable Ministers and Deputy-Ministers Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) endorses the motion of no confidence in the current Speaker, Baleka Mbete, on grounds already presented in this house. Before she was elected into office, the Speaker is on record distorting and attacking outcomes of the Public Protector’s investigations on Nkandla. This distortion and attack has since been sustained by the organisation [...]
Motion without Notice in the National Assembly by CN Majeke, MP Subject: Toddler Dies In Drain I move without notice on behalf of the Chief Whip of the United Democratic Movement (UDM): that the house: (1) notes that on Saturday, 13 September of 2014, a toddler in Uitenhage died after falling into an uncovered storm water drain; (2) further notes that the residents in the community are reported to have frequently complained to the municipality [...]
Motion without notice on Ward 45, Buffalo City Municipality Councillor’s burnt home by CN Filtane (MP) I move without notice on behalf of the Chief Whip of the United Democratic Movement (UDM): that the house: (1) Notes that on the evening of Tuesday the 9th of September 2014, Buffalo City Ward Councillor, Gideon Norexe’s house was allegedly burnt into ashes by angry residents. (2) Further notes that incidence took place just two weeks after the [...]
Instead of a nation preoccupied with the scandals surrounding President Zuma, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) advises that we should rather deliberate his exit strategy. Since the advent of democracy, we have never been faced with a crisis of this magnitude i.e. allegations of corruption at the highest level. The African National Congress (ANC) has completely misinterpreted their mandate. They are clearly using their majority to do their utmost to protect President Zuma at all [...]
Address by Ms CN Majeke MP in the National Assembly regarding the high incidence of violence and abuse against women and children Hon Speaker, and Honourable Members Twenty years into our democracy, our women and children continue to be victims of gender and child abuse. We still need a radical social paradigm shift about gender – equality that should usher in a new generation of women and men working together to create a human world [...]
I move without notice on behalf the Chief Whip of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) move without notice: That the house (1) Notes that Brayan Habana, who was born on the 12 June 1983 in Benoni, Johannesburg, Gauteng has contributed significantly on the field of play, Rugby. (2) Habana has proved without reasonable doubts his talent when in 2007 Rugby World Cup was named one of the best players and at the time he was [...]
Motion without notice in the National Assembly on 11 September 2014 by ML Filtane, MP Motion without notice on the incident which unfolded at the Umtata High Court yesterday, 10 September 2014 I hereby move, on behalf of the Chief Whip of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) move without notice, that the house; (1) Notes the incident which unfolded at the Mthatha High Court yesterday where two dangerous suspects died on the scene and one official [...]
Follow up questions to the Governance Cluster - Question 107 – Hon Filtane – Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minster, the Auditor General’s Report (2012-13) for municipalities shows an increase on the Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure of 31% of which 41% is attributed to EC Municipalities including the KSD Municipality wherein more than R7 m has been reported to have been spent irregularly, unauthorised and fruitlessly. What is the department’s plan to deal with what [...]
Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General The barrage of attacks, both on the person and office, of the Public Protector are becoming more and more creative. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has noted the claims that she is on the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) payroll and we find it distasteful. The sounds coming from the peanut gallery are a desperate attempt at discrediting a constitutional body that is doing its job properly. [...]
STATEMENT ISSUED BY MR BONGANI MSOMI, UDM SECRETARY GENERAL The United Democratic Movement (UDM) wants to know why the Dalai Lama is, yet again, barred from entering South Africa. Maybe it’s third time lucky? How ironic that a peaceful leader, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, cannot visit South Africa to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, whilst we are proud of those South Africans who have been bestowed the same [...]
Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) believes it is a travesty that women in the workplace, both in the private and public service, are not safe from sexual harassment, abuse, violence and rape. One of the main reasons why people with much needed skills, such as doctors and nurses, leave for greener pastures is that they are not safe at their places of work. We have [...]
Address by Mr NL Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and honourable Members Savings and Investment are critical tools for a sustainable economic development and improvement of conditions of life of all nations. The reported shift from the panic “I can’t afford the cost of living” to action; cutting back on spending and paying down or avoiding debts and invest more, is a positive development, however, it is enabling few from urban and [...]
Address by Mr BH Holomisa, MP Honourable Speaker Honourable Members The poaching of rhino in South Africa is currently taking its toll on one of the most lucrative sectors, namely heritage tourism. The destruction of our heritage and unsustainable resource consumption results to lose of employment opportunities. In terms of statistical evidence, periodically released by various local and global institutions, indications are that we are losing the battle against rhino poaching. These statistics confirms that [...]
STATEMENT ISSUED BY MR BANTU HOLOMISA, MP – UDM PRESIDENT The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes that Advocate Pansy Tlakula has resigned as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). She has at last seen the light, but it is a pity that she was forced to do so at great cost to government and political parties. There are now no more excuses; the Electoral Commission must immediately implement all the findings of the Public [...]
Issued by Mrs Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General At the end of Women’s Month 2014, we look to the future; the United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is worried that the National Development Plan is overall gender blind, disregarding women’s gendered practical, and strategic needs and concerns. Considering that this is the development map for South Africa we are dissatisfied with what our future prospects are. In addition, UDEMWO is doubtful that the sideways-move, to bring the Department [...]
Statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General Much opinion has been expressed at the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) recent outburst in Parliament; 1) some agree wholeheartedly with the message and the lack of adherence to Parliamentary decorum, 2) some agree with the message, but do not agree with the EFF’s manner in expressing themselves and 3) some cannot stomach the message nor the flare-up. Be that as it may, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) [...]
