The United Democratic Movement passes its condolences to Prince Buthelezi, and his family, on the passing of his wife. It certainly is a day where we are sorrowful for a person taken from our midst. We are grateful for her contribution to the struggle and remaining the anchor of her family while Prince Buthelezi was part of the process to overthrow the apartheid regime. May her soul rest in peace. Issued by: Mr Bantu [...]
Mr Bantu Holomisa, MPUDM President A tribute by Mr Bantu Holomisa The nation is mourning the painful death of yet another son of the soil, uTata Mendi Msimang. He was cut from the same cloth as the founding president of our democracy, Tata Madiba and of the same generation of people like the great Tata Walter Sisulu. Ntate Msimang distinguished himself in the fight for a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and a prosperous [...]
Mr Bantu Holomisa, MPUDM President As we celebrate women’s month, we are saddened that another of the nation’s mothers Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe has left us. As many had happened with many of the wives of imprisoned struggle icons, Mrs Sobukwe held the fort at home. She was a true example of a strong, capable woman who was never daunted by what the Apartheid government threw at her and her family. Our condolences [...]
Honourable Speaker and Members, Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP and UDM Deputy-President A big tree, an outstanding servant of the people, a struggle icon has fallen. Dr Maya Angelou, in her poem “The Great Tree has Fallen” says, and I quote: “…. when great souls die, after a period, peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored never to be the same, whisper [...]
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDM Youth Vanguard) grieves the passing away of the woman of who breast-fed the nation; hence we call her “The Mother of the Nation”. The UDM Youth Vanguard pays its respects to The Mother of the Nation who dedicated her entire life to the struggle. We join fellow South Africans in lauding a woman who distinguished herself as an unrelenting campaigner for the human rights of the oppressed masses [...]
Ms Thandi NontenjaUDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) joins the nation in mourning the passing of the phenomenal woman of our time. Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is one of the few women (if any) who is admired by most women across the political sphere. Mama lived with the poorest of the poor; she shared so many pains with those forgotten citizens of this country. UDEMWO salutes her for all the [...]
Mr Hugh Masekela, his sister Ambassador Barbara Masekela and Mr Holomisa It is with great sadness that we have learnt that South African jazz pioneer and trumpeter par excellence, Hugh Masekela, has succumbed to prostate cancer. He put up a brave fight. We recognise your contribution, not only to jazz and music in general, but to the fight for freedom of South Africa through the arts. You rose despite the limitations imposed [...]
Honourable Speaker, and Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) appreciates the opportunity to honour, Ahmed Kathrada, a tower of strength and a source of inspiration to many generations; even if it could have been done earlier and better. I had the honour to meet Kathy and his fellow Rivonia Trialists in Umtata in 1989. Their presence and words spoken at the welcome-home rally, we organised for them, gave us the courage to continue supporting [...]
The United Democratic Movement is saddened to hear that Struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada has passed away after his brief illness. Another giant has left this earth. I first met Kathy in 1989, in Mthatha, just after his and his comrades’ release from Robben Island. I was impressed with his quiet fortitude and dignity. He was part of a crop of leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) that we will forever idealise because of their [...]
Receiving news of the untimely departure of Dumisani Mazola Mafu is with immense distress and profound sadness. His passing away robs us of one of the greatest sons of our people, a former Commander of Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) in particular in the then Transkei Region, a leader and a friend to many. Mazola is the former MK soldier and commander, and he was a link between the then Transkei Defence Force and MK in Lusaka. [...]
Honourable Speaker and Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) extends its heartfelt condolence to the family, the ANC and friends of the late member of the National Assembly Ms Ruth Mompati. A heroin with a good sense of humour and respect of mankind, a towering icon who was exemplary to our nation has fallen. Mme Mompati was blessed with resilience beyond measure. She was obedient to her calling and dared even her oppressors to embrace love. [...]
by Major General (Ret) Bantu Holomisa, MP, Deputy Chairperson National Defence Force Service Commission We mourn the loss of the late Lieutenant General (Ret) Lambert Moloi; a former commander of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) - an outstanding man and a disciplined soldier. As an MK Commander, General Moloi worked closely with then Transkei Defence Force (TDF) officers and as a result he was assigned “Comrade A” as his code and nickname. We worked with General [...]
delivered on behalf of the UDM in the Joint Sitting of Parliament on 9 December 2013 by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP Mister Speaker, Deputy President, Honourable Members, Distinguished Guests and Fellow South Africans, From the outset, let me apologise for the absence of my President, Mr Bantu Holomisa in today’s joint sitting. Mr Holomisa was unable to make it due to being busy with the funeral arrangements of our [...]
