Admin
08 Jul, 1998
UDM’s only aim is to unite and build South Africa
Statement by UDM Gauteng Chairperson and NMC Member Dumisani Makhaye’s attack on the UDM and its leadership have no substance. In fact when one analyse it, it can only be described as a personal attack on the characters of its leaders. It is the sound of a man in fear, a man in panic, a man in doubt. A sound that the UDM is quickly getting used to. Since the launch of the UDM on the 27th of September 1997, it is a sound that was picked up more and more from the quarters of the ANC. The author in his argument commits the cardinal sin of reasoning along the racial divides of society. By doing this he also addresses the main reason for the UDM’s coming into being and for the ANC’s hysteria and paranoia with the UDM. The ANC have been selling itself as the only non-racial political party in South Africa. But, it has proved through arguments such as these that it still remains a party that analyse and operates along the racial divides of our country. With the establishment and rise of the UDM, the ANC suddenly finds itself stark naked in front of the electorate. Suddenly it is exposed for what it truly is: a party still trapped in the past, unable to break through to the future and address those challenges facing our country and its people, irrespective of their skin colour, anything but a truly non racial party. Transformation has been the buzzword since the 1994 elections. It is that which every sector of society is doing and is expected to do. However, the political landscape of South Africa did not transform accordingly. The political parties as represented in parliament still reflect their ties with apartheid: They are there either because they fought apartheid or they are there because they enforce apartheid. This inability of the political parties to break with the past results in a political debate in parliament that more than often takes on a discussion of the past. The one group blaming the past for everything that goes wrong and the other defending the past. Each time they fall in this trap they waste energy that they should rather be spending on the burning issues of today and collectively find solutions for a better future. The UDM realised that in order to achieve re-alignment of South African politics something new, free from the baggage of the past needs to be established. The UDM’s mission statement clearly outlines this ideal: ” We will unite South Africans from all communities in a new political home, built on the foundation of the principles and ideals of our National Constitution. To this end, we will address poverty and imbalances in our society, inspired by our unifying love of our Country and its people. We will set free the creative power inherent in our diversity and will co-operate with all stakeholders to ensure a quality life and individual freedom for every citizen based on good governance and civil order, towards being a Winning Nation.” The UDM’s growth since the launch in September 1997 clearly indicates that this is what South Africans want to see happening. Various leaders have called upon ordinary South Africans to unite and to build one nation. Unfortunately, it is the very same leaders that in their daily action and through heated debate, is not doing this. Their actions and words further divide and create suspicion – like the suspicion the author is trying to create in his article. The UDM will not be sidelined or silenced by this type of unfounded criticism. The UDM, its leadership and its growing number of supporters know that you can never accuse Roelf Meyer of serving his own interests or Bantu Holomisa as being a puppet. The UDM knows that Sifiso Nkabinde was found not guilty by a court of law, an institution that the UDM respects and acknowledges the independence off. Sifiso Nkabinde was elected (not appointed) by the first National Congress of the UDM because he is the best man for that position. Immediately after his release, he called for peace talks in Richmond amongst all parties. Denying this simply means that the ANC is not interested in establishing peace in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands. It suits the ANC and their political agenda to create suspicion around the person of Nkabinde – even at the cost of more lives. The UDM will not be side tracked. Our aim and objective is to silence the critics at the 1999 polls. The UDM will establish itself in the mind of the voter, irrespective from where they come and what colour their skin are, as a political alternative, looking at providing a better South Africa for all.
Admin
07 Jul, 1998
Farm attacks: decisive action demanded
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary The continuing of murderous attacks on farmers are condemned in the strongest possible terms. Every single murder in South Africa is one murder to many. Currently four times more farmers are murdered than the rest of the population. Government can no longer drag its feet in dealing with these murders. All stops must be pulled out in order to ensure the safety of the farmers, their families and their employees. The UDM calls on government to make known the information that they do have on these murders and to come out clear on whether there is any other motive behind these killings. By failing to do so suspicion will increase and the ANC government will have to take responsibility for this. Agriculture is a very important industry in South Africa. Not only does it provide jobs, but it also feeds the nation. The continuous attacks and murders on farmers can paralyse this industry. The UDM believes that these murders is another point in case for calling for a referendum on the death penalty since that may well be the only way to put an end to these senseless and inhumane actions.
Admin
05 Jul, 1998
Political hotline: a first in South Africa
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary In keeping with the UDM’s spirit of being innovative in its approach, the UDM Information Hotline will be available as from Monday, 6 July 1998. The electorate can call the UDM Hotline to get more information on the UDM. Callers will also be invited to leave a message or give some input on issues. The Hotline will provide callers the opportunity to listen to the President, Bantu Holomisa, and Deputy President, Roelf Meyer, explaining to them the policy of the UDM. Comments on burning issues facing South Africa will also be available on this service. Callers can call in and hear what the UDM’s view on the SACP/COSATU/ANC dogfight is as well as find out what the UDM think about the TRC’s decision not to investigate the atrocities committed by high profile ANC members in exile. Within the next week callers will also be able to listen to media statements issued by the UDM and get information on provincial structures and contact numbers. With this service the UDM aims at becoming more accessible to South Africans and further its approach of consultation on the challenges facing South Africa. The UDM Hotline number is 083 910 2709.
Admin
29 Jun, 1998
DP’s comment a farce
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary The Democratic Party’s reaction on the policy of the UDM is absurd. From the reaction of the Democratic Party, it was clear that they commented on something that they have not laid their eyes on yet. This was confirmed this morning when a call was received from the “Research Department” of the DP requesting the UDM to forward a copy of the UDM’s policy to them. One would expect the DP to properly research the content of the policy before artificially and out of context try and comment on it. Not only does the DP’s comment smack of arrogance and ignorance, it also confirms the inability of the DP to grasp an understanding of the reality of the challenges facing the majority of South Africans. The DP’s insensitivity towards issues such as unemployment and poverty clearly indicates how far the DP is removed from the realities on the ground. The politics of this country is not limited to the chambers of parliament and the volume of noise that a party generates there; it would serve the DP well to get out of their glass houses and face the realities of South Africa amongst the people. The UDM in developing its policies did not engage in what can merely be described as an academic exercise. The UDM set it self-out to find practical solutions to the most daunting problems facing all South Africans. In getting to the answers the UDM talked to thousands of ordinary South Africans, called in the assistance of well known experts in the different disciplines and those interest groups operating in that field. The result is an integrated policy that can realistically be executed and implemented within the limited financial resources available in South Africa.
Admin
26 Jun, 1998
UDM First National Congress, 27 June 1998
Statement by Convenor of Credentials Committee (26 June 1998) The following nominations for the positions on the National Management Committee have been received from the structures of the UDM. National Leader – Mr. Bantubonke H Holomisa, Pretoria National Deputy Leader – Mr. Roelof Petrus Meyer, Pretoria National Chairperson – Mr. Esau Masilo Mabeta, Umtata National Deputy Chairperson – Mr. Salamuddi Abram Mayet, Benoni; Rev. William Sello Molefe, Brits; Mr. Gabonewe William Motsatsi, Rustenburg; Adv. Jabulani Pantalea Mnguni, Pretoria; Mr. John Mulaudzi, Louis Trichardt Mr. James Sullivan, Greater Johannesburg National Secretary – Mr. Jacobus Tapedi Maseka, Mmakau; Mr. Sifiso Gabriel Nkabinde, Richmond National Deputy Secretary – Mr. James Jerry Hope, Greater Johannesburg; Mr. Bheki Samson Ntanzi, Krugersdorp; Mrs. Christell Scheepers, Louis Trichardt; Miss. Annelizé van Wyk, Pretoria National Treasurer – Mr. Takis Christodoulou, Pretoria National Financial Planning and Fundraise Officer – Mr. Daniel Petersen, Cape Town National Organiser – Mr. James Jerry Hope, Greater Johannesburg; Mr. Siphiwe A. Makhubo, Pretoria; Rev. Kingsley Masemola, Lebowakgomo; Mr. Ngwenya, Brakpan; Mr. Matodzi Sadiki, DobsonvilleNational Deputy Organiser: (2 Positions): Mr. Tommy Abrahams, Cape Town; Mr. Johannes B. Baard, Carltonville; Mr. Andile Magodla, Comfimvaba, Eastern Cape; Mr. Siphiwe A. Makhubo, Pretoria; Ms. Bathembise Mokoena, Ermelo; Rev. William S. Molefe, Brits; Mr. Arnold M. Phasha, Middelburg, Mpumalanga; Mr. Kesiloe Shoai, Randfontein; Mr. Maurice I. Van Staaden, Kraaifontein
Admin
22 Jun, 1998
ANC attack on Nkabinde: UDM reaction
Statement by UDM President The ANC’s panic regarding the election of Sifiso Nkabinde is noted. The UDM will not allow the ANC to choose leaders for itself, nor are they the UDM’s agents to gauge support for the us in KwaZulu Natal. One thing is clear: the ANC is still being haunted by the acquittal of Nkabinde. Nkabinde was subjected to scrutiny by the state and the judiciary of this country. He fared far better than his former bosses in the ANC who rushed to the TRC to apply for blanket amnesty. They never revealed how they executed their black brothers and sisters in exile. Senior ANC officials like Thabo Mbeki, Zuma, Modise, Mac Maharaj and others who are now comfortable in high offices, are still yet to inform the public of South Africa how the ANC in exile arrived at decisions to execute their own brothers and sisters. We have heard about ANC accusations against Nkabinde but what about ANC warlords in cabinet. There will be no question of fairness until a principle of even handedness is equally applied. The UDM accepts the judgement by Justice Jan Combrink as the last word on this matter. The Kangaroo court methods, which were used in executing fellow blacks in exile, have no home under the new constitution. The ANC will have to swallow its pride and if it is serious about peace in KwaZulu Natal work together with Sifiso Nkabinde in achieving exactly that.
Admin
04 Jun, 1998
Suspend all rationalisation in government until criteria is agreed upon
Statement by UDM Co-leaders The UDM calls on all the relevant parties involved in the pending education crisis to, in the interest of education, work towards finding a solution. The frustration within the education community is understandable and well founded. Minister Bengu can not merely ignore what are realistic and profound concerns. Education forms the basis of the development of the human resource in South Africa. Attention must be given when professionals in that domain indicate that planned steps by government will influence negatively on the professional service. The arrogance of the Minister of Education will not contribute towards finding a solution. What is happening in education is a reflection of what is happening in all other spheres of government where transformation through rationalization, without proper consultation and agreed upon criteria takes place. This results in a very high uncertainty amongst government officials and contributes to very low productivity. The UDM calls on government to suspend all further retrenchments within the civil service and to work towards agreed criteria after proper consultation with the interested parties. Retrenchment on its own is not transformation and the one sided, arrogant approach with which it is conducted by government only leads to distrust and low moral. The absence of a contingency plan to assist those who are retrenched contribute to further impoverishment. Government should address the issue of retrenchment in a far more sensitive and co-ordinated way.
Admin
21 May, 1998
Appointment of president for the Reserve Bank must be handled cautiously
Statement by UDM Co-leaders The Government must announce as soon as possible a successor for Dr. Chris Stalls as President for the Reserve Bank. The announcement by Dr. Stalls that he will not be available again once his contract expires in July 1999 coupled with the change in government just before Stalls vacates his position might bring too much uncertainty to the financial markets. The UDM believes that government would act responsible if it sends out a clear message on who will take over. The timely announcement of a successor would provide the financial markets the opportunity to settle down and would reduce the effect it would have when the actual changeover takes place.
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