Higher education
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
• 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 [...]
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with concern the 2018 matric pass rate. The “so-called” improvement of 79.4% in 2018 to 76.5% in 2017 is only a dream. After scrutinising the results, it is crystal clear that something is not adding up. Another concern is that so many pupils have made it to the newspaper and moreover have “obtained bachelors” as per the minister of basic education Angie Motshega. However, they cannot be accepted [...]
Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General United Democratic Movement (UDM) calls for calm during this time of student representative council elections at many of our institutions of higher learning. What the country witnessed at the Soshanguve Campus of the Tshwane University of Technology is not acceptable. We are disturbed by the allegations that police are accused of killing a student during protests. We believe that the life that was lost during the clash [...]
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed and shocked by the attack of a teacher by two students in a video that is making rounds on the social networks this week. The behaviour of the students is not acceptable. This incident occurred in school grounds in broad day light. It is reported that the assault started after the teacher confiscated a cell phone of one of the students when she was playing music [...]
Ms Cynthia Majeke, UDM Member of Parliament Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members Education is the greatest investment into the success of the National Development Plan and the advancement of the South African socio-economic status and basic education is the starting point. Over time the quality and output of the South African basic education system has changed. On the positive side: • Pre-school enrolment has improved; • The proportion of people with aged 20 [...]
Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General Message to students from by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) wishes the best of luck to all the young South Africans who will begin a new chapter of life at the institutions of higher learning throughout the Country. We hope that you are ready for new ventures ahead and that you will meet the challenges that cross your paths head-on. Make [...]
Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President One can argue that President Zuma’s announcement of free tertiary education, for students who can’t afford it, is a populist Hail Mary Pass; but the United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes there is merit in the idea. From our point of view, the implementation of such an expanded programme can be justified economically, and free education is in fact a strategic economic impetus, as it is [...]
Statement issued by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa – UDM Deputy President and Chief Whip The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has noted the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training released by the President on 13 November 2017. We welcome the Report’s reaffirmation of the clarion call and the need to make education accessible to all South Africans. We, however, reject the Report’s recommendation that Income Contingency Loans be adopted as the new [...]
Mr Bongani MsomiUDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned by the #FeesMustFall protests that have, yet again, forced several institutions of higher learning to grind to a halt, and interrupted exams. The UDM expresses sympathy with our students’ plight and we believe their grievances are real, and their demands, valid. What boggles the mind is that, Government and university managements do not learn from experience. These protests have dragged [...]
Ms Thandi NontenjaUDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is concerned by the continued crime and violence that are prevalent in many schools throughout the country. There seems to be an increase of criminal activities in our schools that puts our pupils’ safety and lives at risk. This is a threat to education and jeopardises our children’s basic rights as entrenched in the Constitution. Not a day passes without reports [...]
Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP The United Democratic Movement congratulates the matric class of 2017 for staying the course and, staying in school! Pursuing education will give you significantly more options over the course of your life. Set goals and work hard to achieve them. Past question papers, available on the Department of Education's website, can help you gauge your preparedness and identify subjects that need more work. Manage you time well and [...]
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja - UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the arrest of a man suspected of having raped a female student, stabbing another and robbing them at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in the Eastern Cape. It is clear that campus security was compromised with the students being accosted in a lab at the NMU Second Avenue Campus. What is of great concern is [...]
