Statement by Lucia Matomane, UDESMO Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) in the Eastern Cape has long been outraged by the persistent crisis in higher education. For years, students have been forced to carry the burden of the government’s failure to plan, NSFAS’s chaos, and issues like universities that reward executives while neglecting learners. Each academic year brings the same broken promises, the same delays, and the same exclusion of thousands of young people who only seek the chance to study further. This year, 850,000 matriculants will sit for exams, but only half of them will find a place in universities, TVETs, or CET colleges. The rest will be left behind. Imagine working hard to pass matric, only to be told there is no space for you. That is not just bad planning, it is a betrayal of our generation. At the same time, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is collapsing under the weight of its own failures. Kimberley is the latest example, centred on Sol Plaatje University, where landlords housing more than 500 students have not been paid for over a year. Businesses are closing, jobs are being lost, and students now face the threat of eviction. This is not a “Kimberley issue,” it is a national crisis that repeats itself every year. Meanwhile, vice-chancellors and executives continue to pocket millions while students sleep in libraries, go hungry, and drop out because allowances never arrive. The inequality is staggering, and it proves that the system serves the powerful, not the students. • Now we are told that a “war room” will solve these problems. But students do not need another committee. We need urgent action. Minister Manamela’s war room must address the following issues: • Pay landlords now to stop evictions. • Expand the number of student spaces for 2026 so that no deserving learner is left behind. • Ensure safe, affordable housing by funding universities and TVET colleges to expand residences, and by holding NSFAS and accredited private providers accountable for the conditions students live in. • Stop rewarding executives with inflated salaries while students are denied basic dignity. • Think long term: expand infrastructure, build new universities and TVET colleges, and create the capacity to serve the next generation of students instead of leaving them stranded year after year. The truth is that the Department of Higher Education and Training has failed to plan for the long term. In 2026, we will see the same heartbreak as in 2025: young people arriving at campuses only to be turned away. For 30 years, successive ministers have wasted opportunities and resources, while the system remains stuck in crisis mode. Year after year, students pay the price for their inaction. We as UDESMO say: enough is enough. We will not be silent while our generation is robbed of opportunity. We will organise, we will mobilise, and we will hold government, NSFAS, and institutions accountable. Students cannot wait. Our future cannot be postponed. Inclusion now!
Statement by Ndidi Gcalangobuthi, UDM Councillor in Merafong City Local Municipality The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Merafong City notes with deep concern Merafong City Municipality’s poor governance and worsening finances that have resulted in residents enduring prolonged service disruptions. The recent case of a private individual drilling a borehole in his yard as a means of providing water after residents in Merafong have endured three weeks without, underscores a serious breakdown in the municipality’s duty to its residents. It is deeply concerning that residents are being forced to do what municipalities should. Currently, Rand Water is owed over R1.41 billion by the Merafong City Local Municipality which has resulted in an imposed 40% water restriction in the area, leaving taps dry for weeks. It can be agreed that the domino effect of chronic mismanagement has resulted in low revenue collection rates, operational losses, debt accumulation and escalating tariffs. A clear indication of municipal collapse. While these failures can be viewed as mere technicalities, residents in affected areas bear the burden of governance failures that undermine health, dignity and the right to water. Ensuring provision of basic services is municipalities’ legal obligation, yet residents are forced to bear the costs and risks of government negligence. The UDM in Merafong City further notes that this crisis is worsened by the growing culture of non-payment of rates and taxes. When people do not pay, the municipality loses vital revenue and service delivery grinds to a halt. At the same time, we cannot ignore that many families in Merafong are struggling with poverty and unemployment and simply cannot afford ever-increasing tariffs. This is why the whole system must be fair: those who are able to pay must do so, while government must create a safety net for those who genuinely cannot. Without this balance, Merafong will continue to sink deeper into collapse and ordinary residents will suffer most. We demand accountability from Merafong’s leadership and from provincial and national authorities tasked with oversight. The failure to act decisively will deepen the collapse of governance and further strip residents of their constitutional rights.
Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Councillor in the City of Johannesburg for the United Democratic Movement and Chairperson of the S79 Committee on Gender, Youth and People with Disabilities The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Johannesburg is deeply alarmed by the worsening crisis of hijacked and unsafe buildings across the city, particularly those owned by government. The tragic Usindiso fire of 2023, which claimed 77 lives, remains a painful reminder of what happens when authorities fail to act. The recent reports about families occupying the old SAPS building in Yeoville highlight the complex realities facing our city. While these buildings provide a desperate refuge for people who cannot afford formal housing, they are also unsafe and unfit for human habitation. They pose extreme risks, from fires and structural collapse to poor sanitation and crime, while placing additional pressure on already fragile municipal systems. The UDM recognises that hijacked and “dark” buildings are not simply a matter of criminality. They are a symptom of deeper failures; poverty, unemployment, and the housing shortage that continue to plague Johannesburg. The truth is that many residents occupy these spaces out of desperation, not choice. We therefore call on the City of Johannesburg to take decisive and humane action. Enforcement alone will not solve this crisis; nor can the City continue to look away while people live in death traps. What is required is a comprehensive, compassionate approach that balances public safety with social justice. The UDM in the City of Johannesburg proposes: 1. A full and transparent audit of hijacked and unsafe buildings in the city, starting with government-owned properties. We note Premier Lesufi’s commitment to a so-called “bad building strategy” and the audit of more than 200 unsafe buildings in Johannesburg. While these promises are welcome, progress has been painfully slow, and communities remain at risk. The City and Province must move beyond announcements to urgent, visible action. 2. An emergency plan to relocate residents living in life-threatening conditions into safe, alternative accommodation. 3. Action against syndicates and officials implicated in building hijackings. 4. A sustainable housing strategy that expands affordable rental options and partners with civil society and the private sector. Johannesburg cannot afford another Usindiso tragedy. The UDM will continue to speak up for residents whose lives are being placed at risk by negligence and poor governance. The City has a duty to act, not with force alone, but with fairness, foresight, and a commitment to the dignity of all its people.
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned by recent incidents that expose a disturbing trend in the treatment of journalists by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Press freedom has been one of the cornerstones of our new democracy, enshrined in the Constitution to safeguard transparency, accountability and the people’s right to know. Yet, increasingly, journalists are finding themselves under siege by the very institutions mandated to protect those freedoms. The case of Cape Town journalist Sandiso Phaliso, who was assaulted, harassed, and twice unlawfully deprived of his phone while reporting in Nyanga, is a chilling reminder of how far things have fallen. Despite his press credentials, Phaliso was subjected to violence and intimidation, and to date, his equipment has not been returned. Similarly, in Johannesburg, Julia Evans of the Daily Maverick was wounded by a rubber bullet while covering community protests in Westbury. According to her account, SAPS deployed a flashbang and fired rubber bullets without prior warning, putting the lives of residents, demonstrators and journalists in danger. These incidents cannot be dismissed as isolated. They speak to a broader tendency within SAPS to abandon restraint in favour of brute force. This is particularly troubling because it undermines both public trust in policing and the constitutional guarantee of a free and independent press. It must be said clearly: a police service that bullies journalists, obstructs their work, and ignores the very policies that protect press freedom is a danger to our democracy. The protections guaranteed by Standing Orders and National Instructions are meaningless if they are not enforced in practice. At the same time, the UDM acknowledges the extreme pressures under which our police operate. South Africa is gripped by high levels of violent crime, and SAPS officers often face life-threatening situations. Their frustrations are understandable, but they cannot be allowed to spill over into indiscriminate heavy-handedness. To “shoot first and ask questions later” is to abandon discipline and professionalism, which are the bedrock of effective policing. The balance between firm crime prevention and respect for rights must never be lost. Police officers must be supported with the resources, training and leadership needed to combat crime decisively, but also guided to uphold constitutional values in the execution of their duties. Journalists are not enemies of the police – they are allies of the public in shining a light on injustice and holding everyone, including criminals and government, accountable. When SAPS upholds this balance, it strengthens trust and legitimacy. The UDM therefore calls on the Minister of Police, the National Commissioner, and provincial leadership to urgently reinforce this principle: that in the fight against crime, the police must never lose sight of the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees. To do so would be to surrender to lawlessness, rather than overcome it.
Speech Delivered by for Hon N Kwankwa on the Occasion of the Programme for 2025 Legislative Forum for Friendly Exchanges: (Theme) Modernisation of the Global South, Building Global Partnerships for Joint Advancement of Common and Sustainable Development Check against delivery Programme Director Heads of Parliaments from the Global South Members of the Diplomatic Core Distinguished delegates and Parliamentarians from the Global South Ladies and Gentlemen I take this opportunity on behalf of the leaders of the Parliament of South Africa and her people to convey our warm and fraternal greetings to the hosting country convening this “Legislative Forum for Friendly Exchanges” the People’s Republic of China, delegates from all the countries of the Global South. This occasion once again has come at an opportune moment to converge us in the quest of renewing the bonds of historical friendship amongst our nations, which dates back during the time of colonialism as we were engaged in the struggle for liberation. Today we convene under different conditions to respond to an array of challenges which continue to confront our countries and their people within a global climate and political landscape characterised by tectonic shifts and geopolitical tensions in different regions of the globe. The Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) enjoy historic bonds of solidarity and friendship, forged during the African liberation struggle and nurtured through decades of cooperation. The roots of this relationship can be traced back to the 1955 Bandung Conference, where China stood alongside African nations in their quest for independence. What began with solidarity in the struggle against colonialism has matured into a comprehensive partnership that continues to go from strength to strength. Our two nations have established structured bilateral mechanisms that ensure regular dialogue and practical cooperation across political, economic, social, technical, and cultural spheres. These mechanisms have delivered tangible outcomes in development, trade, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges, strengthening mutual trust and respect. Today, South Africa and China stand as strategic partners, not only bilaterally but also in multilateral forums such as BRICS, working together for peace, sustainable development, and a fairer global order. Distinguished Delegates Perhaps it could be argued that this occasion presents more of an inclusive forum by affording legislatures to exchange experiences as people’s representatives that carry the aspirations and act as tribunes of social transformation to many challenges confronting our people. Legislature in nature is an embodiment of democracy. Therefore, in an age where the line between domestic and the international is becoming blurred and where there is a globalisation of problems, democracy ought to be promoted at various levels of governance which include national, regional and international. Historically, parliaments had scant involvement in international relations. The role of parliaments in the area of international relations has always been confined to ratifying international agreements adopted by the executive. However, the advent of a participatory democratic order in the world, globalisation and developments in global governance structures has resulted in a dual process of internationalisation of domestic relations and domestication of international relations. Therefore, parliaments have a historic obligation to ensure that the people they represent at national level are also represented in the global arena and are not left behind as a result of the new global developments. Programme Director The overarching theme of our deliberations is premised on the question of building “Global Partnerships for Joint Advancement of Common and Sustainable Development”. The world, today, is confronted with unprecedented and accelerated changes. An important feature of the changes is that the collective rise of developing countries is gaining momentum. The rise of developing countries as a whole is based on and reinforced by their collective modernisation and reconstruction in different aspects. Thus, an in-depth discussion on the modernisation of the Global South is urgently needed, not only in response to the call of developing countries for peace, development and progress, but also to meet the aspirations of the people of all countries for modernisation and human advancement. The Global South symbolises a prominent worldwide trend of the collective rise of developing countries and reflects their strong wish for solidarity and self-reliance. The countries of the Global South once suffered from aggression, colonisation, suppression and plunder. It is through years of struggle and hard work, along with the evolving changes in this century, that the Global South has gradually become an important force driving the reforms in the world order and seeking political independence, national rejuvenation and international justice. To this end, the Global South is the source of strength for global multi-polarity. Since the end of the Cold War, the trend of global multi-polarity has evolved amid twists and turns. Along with the unfolding of profound changes across the global economic and political landscape and the collective rise of developing countries, the Global South has got an important opportunity to play a greater role on the world stage. Programme Director It is an accurate assertion that Global South needs to achieve greater collective strength. In this regard, working together to advance modernisation is what the Global South must do to achieve greater collective strength through unity. Realising modernisation is a shared pursuit of all countries of the Global South. To build a better world, the Global South must work together to pursue and realise modernisation. Their aim should be to build a strong and modern Global South, to propel the progress of civilisation and develop a human community with a shared future. Certainly, global development challenges — such as climate change, inequality, pandemics, and resource depletion — have become increasingly cross-cutting and transnational in nature. They transcend national borders and demand coordinated strategies. Our parliaments through their mandate of law-making, oversight and public participation have an obligation to monitor and ensure the implementation of the commitments our governments have committed at both domestic and international level. Equally, this Legislative Forum affords parliamentarians a space to exchange experiences on best models relating to their mandate and learn from each other’s best practises to strengthen the agenda of the Global South from the parliamentary diplomacy point of view. At different multilateral fora such as the inter-parliamentary level, parliamentarians continue to utilise the soft power of parliamentary diplomacy to complement the efforts of our governments in many areas such as conflict, trade disputes, climate change related challenges, human rights and advancement of economic diplomacy and sustainable development. Honourable Delegates South Africa, in adapting to the changes in the global system; has been faced with different challenges which in some cases have inspired rigorous debate. Faced with the need to tackle a range of domestic issues these debates will continue, but South Africa like many nations around the globe must engage with the international system in a way that encourages economic growth and development. The advancement of South-South cooperation is of strategic importance in the pursuit of the country’s foreign policy objectives to address the challenges of economic and political marginalisation that emanates from the process of globalisation. The unequal distribution of the benefits of globalisation, the imbalance of power between the countries of the global North and the countries of the global South and the lack of sustainable development has necessitated countries of the Global South to formulate strategies that would help them to level the playing field. South Africa's initial approach to promoting the Global South vision involved engaging with the Non-Aligned Movement. The goal was to foster a multi-polar world and create more cooperation opportunities for Southern countries without succumbing to bloc logic. Aligning with a single bloc would have limited many Global South countries' options. Furthermore, South Africa's foreign policy has emphasised economic diplomacy and trade relations. By establishing strategic trade partnerships with other Global South nations, South Africa seeks to diversify its economic ties and decrease dependence on traditional Western markets. The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum exemplifies South Africa's commitment to building strong economic networks that support mutual growth and development. South Africa has taken several political stances in favour of the Global South. The country recognised the necessity of South-South dialogue on various issues such as economic development, cultural diplomacy, migrations, and international affairs. For instance, South Africa advocated for reforms in international financial institutions, seeking to make them more inclusive and responsive to the needs of developing countries. Additionally, South Africa oriented its foreign policy toward the challenges posed by climate change and actively worked toward sustainable development and climate justice. Acknowledging that developing countries are disproportionately affected by climate change, South Africa launched initiatives for technology transfer, capacity building, and financial support for adaptation and mitigation efforts in the Global South. South African leadership in the Global South is evident through its participation in alternative international organisations, forums, and groupings. The BRICS alliance stands out as a prime example. Initiated in 2006 in Saint Petersburg on the sidelines of the G8 by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the group was initially known as BRIC. Formalisation occurred a year later with the first BRIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting. South Africa formally joined in September 2010, adding the "S" to create BRICS. More recently, South Africa's position toward the Israeli/Palestinian conflict has perfectly illustrated the more assertive role the country is now endorsing. On December 29, 2023, following the Israeli offensive that destroyed large parts of Gaza, killed thousands of civilians, and led to massive population displacements, South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice against Israel. The country alleged that Israel was breaching the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in its military assault. While South African support for Palestine is not new, the current method of support is. The particularity lies in South Africa's utilisation of existing international institutions to promote its values and defend its objectives. Until now, the Global South has mainly advocated for a New World Order based on new international institutions, as the current ones such as the UN, IMF, World Bank, and others are perceived as dominated and instrumentalised by Western powers. In different parliamentary for such as the Inter-parliamentary Union, South Africa and European Joint Parliamentary Meetings our parliamentary has echoed and complemented the efforts of government in condemning the genocide perpetrated by the government of Israel against the Palestinians, including the violation of their right to self-determination. On Building Partnerships for Global South Initiatives According to the UN perspective, ‘global partnerships represent the collaborative efforts of nations, organisations, and various stakeholders, aimed at addressing multifaceted challenges that transcend national boundaries. As such, centrally to the ambitions of the UN's 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 17th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 17) specifically emphasises the role of partnerships. This is so because ‘it acknowledges that isolated efforts are insufficient when combatting complex, intertwined global issues such as poverty, hunger, education disparities, and climate change’. To be sure, SDG 17, aptly titled "Partnership for the Goals", underlines the symbiotic relationship between partnerships and the other SDGs and underscores the fact that without effective global cooperation, the realisation of the remaining 16 SDGs remains elusive. Therefore, building and strengthening partnerships becomes paramount for optimising resources, sharing best practices, and fostering innovation. As correctly pointed out by the UN, ‘the nature of global challenges, such as the urgent threat of climate change, compels nations to collectively address these issues, integrating their unique resources and perspectives’. A point in case was the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated that without international cooperation, resource sharing, and mutual support, managing the pandemic's impacts would have been significantly more challenging. By pooling scientific research, sharing vaccine development insights, and assisting vulnerable nations, the world demonstrated the indispensability of global partnerships. In view of the above, legislatures of the Global South have a responsibility to define the agenda of placing parliamentary diplomacy at the heart of the development to respond to the crisis of poverty, inequality and unemployment, transformation and diversifying of economic markets in the day of the trade wars and unilateral tariffs imposed by the countries of the global north. Conclusion South Africa embraces the opportunity accorded through the Legislative Forum for friendly exchanges and looks forward to share experiences and learn from other best practices to sharpen its weapon of parliamentary diplomacy at global level and exercise her mandate of law-making, oversight and public participation. Equally, we look forward to strengthening the face of global to meet the demands of the changing global political dynamics and the geopolitical complexities that define global pollical landscape. I thank you!
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned about the ongoing forensic backlog in South Africa, which is denying victims of crime timely access to justice. A tragic example is the Lambert family in Roodepoort, whose daughter Kaayla Lambert, along with two friends, lost their lives in a drunk driving crash. Due to the severe backlog in toxicology and postmortem reports in Gauteng, the investigation into the crash has been delayed, leaving the families without closure while the suspect remains free. According to reports, the alleged drunk driver might be a Member of Parliament, which makes this case particularly important. Nationally, the backlog is compounded by over 140,000 pending DNA case entries as of May 2025, including more than 28,000 court-bound cases, many of which involve gender-based violence, femicide, and other violent crimes. These delays prevent timely prosecutions and undermine public confidence in the justice system. Crime in South Africa is out of control, with violent crime, drunk driving fatalities, and other criminal acts devastating families and communities. Every delay in processing forensic evidence and DNA analyses emboldens criminals and leaves ordinary South Africans exposed and unprotected. The justice system’s slow response sends a dangerous signal that perpetrators can act with impunity. The human cost of these delays is immense. Families endure prolonged trauma while perpetrators evade accountability, eroding trust in law enforcement and the courts. The Lambert case illustrates the tragic consequences of systemic failures, highlighting the urgent need for the government to act. The UDM calls on the national government to: • Rapidly increase staffing, equipment, and operational capacity at all forensic laboratories, including toxicology and DNA units. • Complete and operationalise pending forensic infrastructure, such as the KwaZulu-Natal facility. • Prioritise court-bound cases, especially those involving violent crime, gender-based violence, and femicide. • Strengthen coordination between SAPS, the NPA, and courts to ensure timely prosecutions. Justice delayed is justice denied. The UDM urges government to act decisively so that all South Africans, particularly victims of crime, can trust that the law protects them and that perpetrators are held accountable.
Statement by Remington Mazibuko, Councillor in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality and UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Movement in KwaZulu-Natal is deeply saddened by the tragic news of the fatal taxi accident in Imbali Unit 18, which claimed the lives of five young learners and left several others injured. Our hearts go out to the families, classmates, teachers, and communities affected by this devastating incident. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight, regulation, and enforcement of learner transport services across our province. Children entrusted to the care of transport operators must be guaranteed safe passage to and from school. The repeated occurrence of learner transport accidents in KwaZulu-Natal, including this being the second incident in a week, signals a systemic failure in both road safety enforcement and transport management. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal calls for immediate interventions, including: • Comprehensive inspections of all school transport vehicles to ensure roadworthiness and compliance with safety standards. • Accountability measures for transport operators who fail to meet legal and safety requirements. • Implementation of robust safety protocols and driver training programs for those responsible for transporting learners. • Enhanced coordination between the Department of Education, Department of Transport, law enforcement agencies, and local authorities to prevent future tragedies. The safety of our scholars is non-negotiable. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal urges all relevant authorities to act decisively and to make the protection of learners a top priority, so that no parent, guardian, or community has to endure such heartbreak again. We express our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of the learners who tragically lost their lives in the Imbali Unit 18 accident. We share in the grief and anguish of the affected communities during this incredibly difficult time. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to all those who were injured, and we call on authorities to ensure that they receive the necessary medical care, counselling, and support.
Statement by Bongani Maqungwana, UDM Councillor in the City of Cape Town The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Cape Town condemns in the strongest terms the recent attack on City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers in Valhalla Park, Cape Town. This happened after officers deployed to Valhalla Park as part of an ongoing operation responded to the sound of gunshots at approximately 3:26pm on Friday, 12 September 2025. While approaching the scene, they apparently encountered a suspect running with a firearm who allegedly pointed it at their vehicle. We understand that the driver lost control, colliding with a wall and injuring three people in the process. However, no amount of community anger or frustration can justify violence, the stoning of officers, or the destruction of public property. Such acts place lives at risk, undermine the rule of law, and rob residents of much-needed safety resources. At the same time, the UDM in the City of Cape Town recognises that these violent incidents do not happen in a vacuum. Communities like Valhalla Park are trapped in the grip of crime, gangsterism, and drug abuse, while the South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to fail in its constitutional duty to provide safety and security. Years of under resourcing, corruption, slow response times, and neglect have left residents vulnerable and frustrated, eroding trust between citizens and law enforcement. When communities feel abandoned to crime, they sometimes turn their anger against the very officers who should protect them. This is a dangerous cycle that must urgently be broken. The UDM in the City of Cape Town therefore calls for: • A strengthened and better resourced SAPS that can effectively combat crime and gangs in vulnerable communities like Valhalla Park. • A genuine rebuilding of trust between communities and law enforcement through visible policing, accountability, and properly functioning community policing forums. • An urgent national review of policing capacity in high crime areas, including Cape Town, to ensure that communities are not left to fend for themselves. The UDM in the City of Cape Town further urges communities to channel their anger through peaceful and organised engagement rather than violence. Law enforcement officers are also mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who deserve to return safely to their families after serving the public. South Africans want safety, justice, and dignity. For this to happen, policing must be transformed into a service that people trust and respect, and communities must play their part in building safer neighbourhoods without resorting to violence.