Admin
26 Apr, 1998
27 April 1994 – four years later and still no liberation
Statement by the Co-leaders of the UDM In the run-up to the 1994 elections and shortly thereafter South Africa was in a state of euphoria. Everybody was expecting a political heaven. That also set the table for the years to follow. The main expectations were that the fate of the majority would improve. Politics suddenly had a new set of rules and it was expected of existing parties to be part of a new type of politics. Soon it became clear that the promises made were unrealistic. That government could not comply with the growing spiral of expectations. On paper we have a highly acclaimed constitution, in theory South Africa was far on the road of establishing a democratic basis. However, the spirit was not adhered to. We experienced continuous racism from all sides, polarisation is growing and intimidation is a reality of our political operations. There was a clear inability to adapt the politics to fit the requirements. If we look back on the past four years we see that political parties with long histories and from a specific order were so set in their ways that leaders and supporters new only about one way to play the game. It is especially the NP and the ANC that is struggling with this. The NP inspite of having new and young leadership remains part of the old Apartheid order politics. They still think, look and act as apartheid politicians. They still think in racial terms. Their policy remains captured in the protection of a small minority’s exclusive rights. This they do at the cost of issues of national interest. The ANC is still struggling to transform from liberation movement to government. There is internal conflict on policy issues such as GEAR. This results that the ANC’s energy is focused internally and that issues of National interest suffer as a result of that. The DP remains nothing more than a small dog, barking non stop, seemingly having all the answers but totally unable to grasp the realities of South African and African politics. If one looks back on the political scene over the past four years, the one thing that does stand out is the inability of political parties to manage change and the realities that came with it. Some even took conscious decisions not to adapt to the ever-changing environment. This is where the UDM enters the scene. We are seeking for a solution, seeking to manage these changes in the interest of all in South Africa. The UDM provides hope for practical, innovative solutions. South Africans are looking for a party that can face up with reality and that is not blinded by the old set of rules. The UDM believes that politics is like an ecological system: each organism is interdependent from the next for its survival. The time for separate issues for separate interests are over, the time for racial politics have long past. Polarisation belongs to the years of apartheid. The next year that lies ahead the political temperature will rise as we move closer to the elections. We observe that in the desperate seeking of alliances amongst old order political parties. The NP, DP and the IFP realise that their survival depends on so called cooperation. The reality is that that would mean very little more than 15% support for the opposition, which would make no dent in the ANC’s force of power. Democracy is about more than just opposing the ANC – it is about bringing down the support of the ANC. The National Party and its possible alliance partners can not mobilize support away from the ANC. The only way to make sure that democracy in the country survives in South Africa is to systematically bring down the power control of the ANC. Providing the average person with a workable and creditable alternative must achieve that. This is where the UDM will play its role. Market research and the ANC’s own agenda in dealing with the UDM confirms that. The circumstances under which politics will be practiced the next 12 months will be very difficult. Old order political parties must defend their 1994 acquired positions. They will fall back on intimidation and “fear politics. The UDM is committed to democratic politics and we will guard jealously over the rights of all South Africans to freely and without fear make their political choices.
Admin
24 Apr, 1998
Sixty ANC members arrested and charged after intimidation of UDM members
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary The ANC branch in Klipplaat, Eastern Cape, on 23 April 1998 actively intimidated UDM members and supporters. Under the leadership of Mr. Hans Human, the ANC informed UDM supporters that their houses would be taken from them since it was “provided” by the ANC. Residents were further told that only those who will vote for the ANC will have food in their houses. UDM supporters requested permission for a protest march against the mismanagement by the ANC local council. Permission was granted and in reaction, the ANC occupied the local police station. The UDM wants to call on the ANC to distance themselves from these types of actions by their supporters and officials. Disciplinary actions should be taken against those involved. The UDM believes that incidents of intimidation hold no good for the 1999 elections. It is just not good enough that the ANC talk reconciliation, wish for loyal opposition, but does not allow the most basic freedom of choice by the electorate. The UDM will not tolerate acts of intimidation against our supporters. We will highlight each and every incident. We will record and report such incidents. Democracy is founded on the very basic right of choice.
Admin
23 Apr, 1998
First provincial congress for the UDM
Statement by UDM Press Secretary Exactly four years after South Africa’s first free democratic elections South Africa’s youngest political party will hold its first provincial congress. The UDM North West will hold the first UDM Provincial Congress. Leadership for the province will be elected during the Congress. The constitution and policy of the UDM will form part of the agenda. The Co-Leaders of the UDM, Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer, will address the congress. Date: 27 April 1998 Venue: North West Portuguese Community Hall Klerksdorp Brady Avenue, Palmietfontein Off turn Time: 09:00 – 16:15; A media conference will be held after the conclusion of the Congress at 16:30
Admin
14 Apr, 1998
Agreement between Botha and the TRC welcomed
Statement by Co-leader of the UDM The UDM throughout the process requested that it be made possible for Mr. Botha to appear before the TRC. Article 29 of the Truth and Reconciliation provides for hearings of the TRC to take place in camera. The UDM believes that Mr. Botha’s evidence before the TRC is important in order to get information as perceived by the previous government. All South Africans will benefit from this agreement and it can play an important part in the reconciliation process. The evidence of Mr. Botha will add to the TRC’s ability to adequately complete its task. Mr. Botha’s evidence is vital in providing the full picture and should add to a balanced final report from the TRC. The UDM congratulates the parties involved in reaching this agreement.
Admin
05 Apr, 1998
UDM makes considerable progress with policy formulation
Statement by the Interim National Management Committee The Interim National Management Committee of the UDM met on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April 1998. A number of key issues were discussed during the two days. The Committee made considerable progress in the further development of UDM policy. The focus of the workshop was to take the UDM forward beyond the National Conference in June 1998. In this regard a strategic planning session was held, determining the priority areas that will be concentrated on in the run up to the elections. The political situation in South Africa was discussed at length and provinces highlighted to the National Structure the political challenges in the different provinces. The restructuring at National office was discussed and the INMC endorsed the decision taken by the Leadership and the CEO in this regard. Focus will now move towards mobilisation of the voters in the enrolling of members and the further development of branches and structures throughout South Africa.
Admin
05 Apr, 1998
Membership terminated: two members
Statement by the Interim National Management Committee At a scheduled INMC meeting of the UDM on 3 and 4 April 1998, a decision was taken to terminate the membership of Paulo Andrade and Joel Mafenya with immediate effect. The INMC found it necessary to take this step on the grounds that their conduct have been judged improper, unbecoming and have adversely effect the interest and reputation of the UDM. Andrade and Mafenya will have 10 days, until noon on 14 April 1998, to make use of their right to access to further adjudication according to clause 5.4(b) of the interim constitution of the UDM.
Admin
03 Feb, 1998
Paying for university education
Statement by Media and Marketing Director (03 February 1998) The decision by the South African University Vice Chancellors’ Association that students owing money to a university, will be refused entry to the institution, and the subsequent confrontation at the University of the Western Cape, were both perhaps unavoidable actions. With a load of R500m of unpaid study accounts, our universities just cannot continue to function properly, also in the light of decreasing government subsidies. Students, who in the past had a ‘free’ university education, also because of politically motivated lenient fee policies, cannot comprehend why the situation now has to change. The fact is that we are normalising society, and tertiary education as part of it. Our country just does not have the financial resources to provide free tertiary education; it is also not a social service that other democratic states offer. There are therefore three issues at stake here: Administrative discipline from universities to ensure study fee payments to keep our universities institutions for training and research excellence. Discipline from students not to attend university without paying, to start regarding payment for services rendered as a necessity, ‘the right thing to do’ and not as a burden to be avoided if possible. A creative look at generating study fees: many students pay for their studies by part-time work or by first working for a few years after matric in order to raise enough money. With the scarcity of jobs, other ideas such as community bursaries and even study stokvels may be investigated. Fact is, where there is a will, there must be a way. Let us be creative about it, but also moral.
Admin
02 Feb, 1998
South Africa’s competitiveness
Statement by UDM President and Deputy-President The surprising rating of South Africa’s competitiveness as 7th among 23 African countries by the World Economic Forum should be a clear wake-up call if we want to develop a world-class country within ten years. The main reasons for our poor performance are essentially the pessimistic business perceptions of South Africa, with the high crime rate as the most bedeviling factor, and the low ratings regarding the training and productivity of our labour force. These factors are all to a degree controllable by government: the crime rate warrants even stricter and more holistic measures in the form of a policy concerning civil order, and further economic reforms in order to alleviate massive unemployment in our country. The pressure is also squarely on the shoulders of the education system to supply a labour force of adequately-trained workers, especially in the fields of science, mathematics and languages. Productivity is a further issue which should be addressed primarily during education and training. The vision of making South Africa a world-class country in ten years’ time, is one that will require our national focus on all sectors of government and private companies. We will have to outlive the past and solve all our problems and shortcomings jointly as South Africans. That is the challenge that we need to grasp, the opportunity that we should transform into reality.
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