Admin
26 Apr, 2025
UDESMO welcomes Jafta Commission at WSU but calls for broader student issues to be addressed
Statement by Manyano Njikela, UDESMO Branch Chairperson at Walter Sisulu University The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) in the Eastern Cape notes and welcomes the appointment of retired Justice Chris Jafta to lead the Commission of Inquiry into the serious events that have recently taken place at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) including the tragic shootings of students Sisonke Mbolekwa, Ntando Gqetywa, and Lizwa Ndzumo on 15 April 2025. We commend the University Council for invoking Section 7(2)(n) of the Institutional Statute of 2024, which allows the Council to establish a Commission of Inquiry into matters that pose significant risks to the institution. We trust the Commission will carry out its work independently and thoroughly. While we appreciate the urgent response by the University Council and welcome the scope of the Commission, especially its focus on issues of security, student safety, governance and allegations of violence, we are deeply concerned that the broader struggles of students are not being fully addressed. In particular, we call on the university and the Commission to investigate the root causes of student protests and unrest, including the painful issue of students from poor families being deregistered due to financial exclusion. This is a national crisis that continues to deny young South Africans their right to education and a better future. The UDESMO in the Eastern Cape therefore believes that the Jafta Commission must go beyond the incidents of violence and look at the full picture of student experiences at WSU, including academic exclusion, poor living conditions, lack of psychosocial support and the WSU’s response to student grievances. We hope the Jafta Commission will be a turning point, not just for accountability, but for lasting change that puts students first and ensures our institutions of higher learning are safe, inclusive and fair.
Admin
05 Jun, 2019
UDESMO: Violence at schools and universities must stop
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 at our schools and universities just within the past year. It is a sign that something is drastically wrong at our institutions of learning. We need to understand that institutions of learning are microcosms of the communities in which they are geographically located. If drugs, alcoholism, gangsterism and violence are prevalent in the community, one can be sure that these social ills and criminal elements will reflect in the school environment. At our universities in particular, excessive alcohol abuse at what is colloquially know as “bashes” is rife. Taking a long-term view, the underlying socio-economic factors that negatively impact on our society should be addressed, which will in turn mirror in our institutions of learning. To address the immediate crisis, we need an urgent multi-stakeholder engagement to come up with practical solutions on how to keep our young people and teachers safe in our schools and universities. UDESMO believes that there should be closer cooperation between government, communities, institutions of learning and the police services. Moral decay is really threatening the velocity of our democracy and If nothing happens now, we are running a risk off a lawless nation. Issued by: Mr Akhona Bavu UDESMO Eastern Cape Chairperson
Admin
04 Mar, 2019
UDEMWO: Women are not punch bags
Women abuse has become our daily bread, we are sick and tired of waking up to outrageous stories that revolves around women abuse. We are absolutely shocked and disturbed by a video of kwaito star Mampintsha that is making the rounds on social media showing that he is seemingly beating his girlfriend Bongekile Simelane, better known as ‘Babes Wodumo’. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) believes that all men, especially those in the limelight, who abuse women, influence boys and creates a mind-set that it is normal or acceptable behaviour. What has this generation turned into? We weep for South African women who experience domestic violence with no significant action taken to punish perpetrators. Because of this, women abusers have this mentality that when they mistreat women, they will not face severe consequences. For how long are we going to have men abusing women and get away with it. Women are abused by men who are supposed to love and protect them at all cost; they are not punch bags and sex objects. Domestic violence cannot be treated as insignificant and inconsequential crime. UDEMWO is of the view that legislation should deal with abusers in stricter punitive terms. We call upon the powers that be to develop harsher means to deal with abusers. As long as our justice system is lenient on perpetrators, we are far from conquering women abuse. Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
07 Aug, 2017
MONC secret ballot: UDM reaction to speaker’s decision
Statement by Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the Speaker’s decision to grant the request for a secret ballot when the National Assembly tomorrow votes on the motion of no-confidence in Mr Zuma. When the UDM made this request in April, we knew very well that she not only has the right, but also the responsibility to act; and act responsibly. We hope that all 400 members of the National Assembly will put South Africa first and vote in favour of the motion. We must also stress that tomorrow’s vote is not about a regime change but about saving South Africa from an irredeemably compromised President. Any Member who is threatened, either by his/her party or any other person, is now protected both in terms of the voting method and in law. It is time for public representatives to be true to their oaths of office, and South Africa, irrespective from which political party they come.
Admin
03 May, 2016
UDESMO mourns for Wits students
Statement issued by Akhona Bavu, UDESMO Chairperson The United Democratic Student Movement (UDESMO) would like to convey a message of condolences to the families and friends of the University students that were involved in a horrible car crash that has claimed their lives in Limpopo yesterday. This is such a sad time for the higher institution fraternity, not only for Wits University but to all South Africans. The whole country is in mourning during this unbearable time. We would also wish a speedy recovery to those who are still in hospital. As UDESMO, we are calling upon the law enforcement officials to be visible on the roads during holidays and beyond as we feel that drivers do behave when they see them. The Department of Transport, Road Traffic Management Corporation and law enforcement officials must also investigate the root cause of these fatalities and come up with ways to curb them. We cannot continue losing lives every time because of silly behaviour of the drivers. One life lost is too many. End
Admin
03 Feb, 2016
Zuma must go
Zuma has no respect for the people of this country. He has embarrassed his own colleagues in the ruling party, in the process compromised the morale fibre of this country. His pronouncement is nothing less of electioneering. The people of South Africa must continue to hold the President and government to account. His attempt to want to avoid further embarrassment and ridicule by the Constitutional Court, should be rejected at all costs. The Constitutional Court must proceed to confirm powers of the Public Protector. We reject his reference to AG. Public Protector’s remedial actions must not be amended by Zuma who is the main culprit. Public Protector said figures must be determined by National Treasury and SAPS not AG. In the meantime ANC must do us a favour and call him back. He is a liability. South Africa deserves better. Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa
