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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Foreword On September 27, 1997, the United Democratic Movement was officially launched. Since that time, we have travelled across South Africa – giving speeches, holding rallies, and most importantly, meeting with thousands of South Africans, from the rural villages of Mpumalanga to the boardrooms of Gauteng. We have spent countless hours listening to their daily [...]
1. Why the new South Africa needs a new economic plan The South African economy fails to deliver what is expected of it. It is acknowledged that certain fundamentals are in place, but it is equally true that the urgently required jobs and economic growth are not materialising. Since 1994 hundreds of thousands of jobs [...]
