Policy Positions Archives - United Democratic Movement | UDM

Water Affairs and Forestry Policy Proposals

1. Introduction In terms of Water Affairs and Forestry, Government must play a significant resource management role. This places Water Affairs and Forestry squarely within the ambit of the Presidential Council on Planned Sustainable Development that is proposed in UDM Economic and Public Works policies. As a resource, water specifically must play a key role in Planned Sustainable Development programmes aimed at creating safe and productive communities. Despite current programmes to bring water to the [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:18+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Minerals and Energy Policy Proposals

1. Introduction Recognising that the past distribution of mining and minerals resources was inequitable, the UDM acknowledges the constitutional obligation to ensure equitable distribution. The UDM furthermore recognises the pivotal role that minerals and energy can play to address poverty. Therefore the UDM will, in consultation with all stakeholders, negotiate for a more equitable distribution of minerals and energy resources. This process will not be abused in the ANC fashion of transformation, which merely seeks [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:18+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Home Affairs Policy Proposals

1. Introduction 1.1. Current duties of the Department of Home Affairs The Department of Home Affairs has regulatory, compliance and service delivery functions. It has a vast client and user base. The total South African population and all foreigners who visit South Africa are clients of the Department. Government Departments and institutions that require essential information about the population and migration are all users of the Department of Home Affairs. The policies and services of [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:18+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Public Service and Administration Policy Proposals

1. Introduction A priority function of any government should be to not only maintain, but also to constantly improve, the quality of life of all South Africans. A UDM government will ensure that its Public Service and Administration department focuses on providing quality service delivery to South Africans across all Government departments. This document identifies the priority areas that the Department of Public Service and Administration under a UDM Government will focus on to ensure [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:18+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Transport Policy Proposals

1. Introduction A UDM Government will strive for excellence in making sure that all modes of transport are the safest way of travel, including safe and efficient infrastructure. Roads in particular will be maintained in good condition at all times including signage as it is our belief that if every road user would comply with properly constructed roads and road signage there would be a dramatic decrease in accidents. All modes of transport will be [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:18+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Agriculture Policy Proposals

1. Introduction Agriculture continues to play an important role in South Africa. It provides employment and business opportunities to more than a million people. In addition, Agriculture represents a significant proportion of South African exports, and thus makes a valuable contribution towards generating foreign revenue for the Country. The UDM is of the view that the role of Agriculture can be expanded even further. We believe that Agriculture can form part of a larger plan [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:19+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Social Development Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The Economic Policy of the ANC has produced jobless growth. This has led to thousands of retrenchments, especially among the unskilled. These people were often the sole breadwinners in their households. ANC policy has thus increased the bulk of people who depend on government welfare assistance to survive. The Social Development system was not designed to accommodate this huge increase in people who require assistance, because it only provides limited coverage to the [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:19+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Provincial and local government Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The UDM proposes the rapid expansion of the role of Local Government, as the sphere of government that is closest to the people. The equitable share of revenue that is allocated to Local Government must be increased to ensure that development and delivery at community level becomes a reality. The role of Provincial Government should be focussed upon coordinating development, building capacity and skills within Local Government, and assisting Local Governments in crisis [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:19+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Education Policy Proposals

1. Introduction This policy seeks to bridge the gap created by past imbalances in Education, in line with the Constitution that recognises the right of every child and citizen to be educated. In this regard the UDM supports free public education from primary school until Grade 12, as well as more Government assistance for students studying in select tertiary and professional subjects, such as Engineering, that will contribute to the overall economic and social development [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:19+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Foreign Affairs Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The UDM’s foreign policy is founded on the will of the people as expressed by the norms and principles found in the South African Constitution. The UDM will pursue, through its foreign policy, prosperity and security in the interests of South Africa’s people. 2. Aims and objectives The UDM shall define and pursue South Africa’s national interests strictly according to the norms and principles, expressed in the Constitution, in the execution of the [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:19+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Trade and Industry Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The UDM aims to unleash the creative spirit inherent in all South Africans by building a world-class economy for sustainable employment for all South Africans through Small Business Development. The UDM proposes that government must be focussed on job creation and stimulating small business growth, but equally aware, and willing, to responsibly intervene with the economy to open up business and employment opportunities for marginalised people. The core of this policy is Small [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:19+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Public Enterprises Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The UDM will rapidly turn around the ANC government’s poor performance of infrastructure creation, especially via the development of a restructuring of public enterprises programme, which is beneficial to all South Africans. Such a programme will accelerate the creation of infrastructure whilst attracting investments, providing jobs, and enhancing local ownership. The indecisive, confusing and time-delayed approach of the government on restructuring of public enterprises should be condemned. It creates the impression of a [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:19+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Housing Policy Proposals

1. Introduction In any country an effective housing policy is important for both social and economic reasons. Access to decent housing is a tool in the fight against poverty. A functioning housing market influences, and is influenced by, the national economy. In the South African context housing was used as a political tool to implement and entrench apartheid. Therefore housing has great political and emotional significance. The UDM’s policy framework will meet the housing challenges [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:20+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Land Policy Proposals

1. Introduction 1.1. Land and politics Land ownership in South Africa has a painful history, since it played a central role in the racially divisive politics of the past. It is for that reason that land ownership must be dealt with fairly, and why the constitutional right to land ownership must be realised quickly and effectively by government, to avoid land becoming a political football. The history of other countries also illustrates that land ownership [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:20+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Labour Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The unemployment crisis in South Africa has many causes that underscore the need for a comprehensive strategy. The primary concern must be an attempt to stem the tide of rising unemployment, with its adverse consequences for social and economic exclusion. The UDM aims to create more jobs, secure – where viable – current jobs, and enhance the quality of all jobs over time. The UDM believes that the labour market faces the following [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:20+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Health Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The UDM commits itself to protecting and promoting the constitutional right of all South Africans to basic health care, and providing proper and immediate responses to the major health risks facing the country. 2. Major health priorities The UDM proposes that Primary Health Care and HIV/AIDS should be elevated as the two major priorities, recognising that in these two areas the current government is failing to protect the constitutional rights of all South [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:20+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Crime Prevention Policy Proposals

1. Introduction In the short term the UDM will prioritise, firstly violent crime (murder, rape, assault, domestic violence), and secondly theft (especially armed robbery, hijacking/car theft and housebreaking). These priorities flow from the basic constitutional right to safety of person and property, to ensure that the freedom, dignity and respect of all South Africans are not violated by criminals. In the long term the UDM will implement Social Crime Prevention to address the root causes [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:20+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off

Public Works Policy Proposals

1. Introduction The aim of the UDM strategy for public works is to create jobs on a large scale with Planned Sustainable Development programmes. The result will be productive and safe environments that will improve the quality of life of the people and communities of South Africa through rapid and extensive economic and social infrastructure development focussed on uplifting marginalised communities. Current government policy can be accused of exacerbating poverty. A disturbing amount of people [...]

UDM Admin2016-10-26T08:39:20+02:00April 9th, 2014|Policy Positions|Comments Off