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23 May, 2019
UDMYV: Young parliamentarians have a big task ahead
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) Youth Vanguard congratulates all the young persons who were sworn into the sixth democratic parliament. It is encouraging to see that quite a number of the members of parliament who took the oath yesterday represent the youth of South Africa. Yet, this happens at a time where our youth faces many challenges, such as plummeting unemployment prospects, the lack of fee free education and the struggle to start and finance their own businesses. Although some strides have been made, we still have a long way to go in terms of youth development. Our education system does not deliver innovators and entrepreneurs, but rather produces employees with no prospect of being employed. This constantly excludes young people from economic participation and wealth creation. We encourage young parliamentarians to run with youth issues, that position those matters, at the apex of the parliamentary agenda. One of those important issues are the eradication of sexism, gender-based violence and societal ills, like teen pregnancy. Not enough attention is paid to our young women in order to help them thrive in leadership roles and their professional lives. We don’t want to be paid hackneyed lip service, we demand change, and we call on all young parliamentarians to focus on an action orientated plan that comprehensively addresses our plight. A country that does not take care of its youth is a country going nowhere fast. We call on all young people to pressurise decision making bodies to give us hope that our dawn is nigh. Issued by Yongama Zigebe Gauteng Provincial Secretary UDM Youth Vanguard
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22 May, 2019
The 6th parliament will make or break South Africa
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s future as our 6th parliament is established today. However, only time will tell whether the next five years will in fact bring to life President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed new dawn. As per the UDM’s longstanding advice, we in particular await President Ramaphosa’s substantial reduction of cabinet and that the rotten apples will not find their way back into positions of power – as they have already bobbed up on the ANC’s candidates lists. As the majority party, it is time for the ANC to put an end to its political squabbling, which relegates South Africans as victims of their internal machinations, political pushing and pulling and cadre deployment. The UDM also cautions President Ramaphosa that he should make certain that the separation of powers between politicians and officials are clear. In the past these lines have been blurred and it should not be tolerated. We wish all members of this 6th parliament all the best of luck in disposing their mandate as entrusted to them by the South African electorate. There is no place in parliament for complacence on the one hand, and arrogance on the other. There must be a clear realisation that the next five years has the potential to make or break this country. In particular, we wish President Ramaphosa well in his endeavours to root out corruption in government and establishing a committed civil service that takes our people’s needs seriously. Rest assured the UDM will be at its post as a credible, responsible and effective opposition. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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21 May, 2019
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
On this day, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we are reminded of how we should respect one another’s constitutional rights and, specifically, each South African’s right to cultural expression. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that cultural diversity drives change, not only with respect to economic growth, but it also assists our society to achieve sustainable development, which in turn reduces poverty. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for stability, development and social cohesion in our country. On this score, South Africa still has a long way to go. Unfortunately, there is a palpable feeling of unease amongst our people, which is born out by the results in our just passed election. From the UDM’s perspective, we cannot afford to lose more time in forming a cohesive society and to unleash the creative power inherent in our diversity to transform South Africa into a winning nation for all who live in it. It is not only incumbent on government to promote social cohesion, but it is each of our responsibility to learn about each other’s cultures and live-out our constitutional rights, responsibilities and ideals. The UDM therefore calls on all South Africans to reach out to one another and respect each other’s beliefs and traditions, so that we may be a unified nation. Issued by: Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa UDM Deputy President
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11 May, 2019
UDM’s reaction to election 2019 results
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) wishes to thank South Africans who took part in the 2019 national and provincial elections and in particular those who voted for the UDM and placed their trust in us. We are surprised and disappointed at the UDM’s performance and we will have to go back to the drawing board to determine where we went wrong, with our eyes firmly on an improved result in the 2021 and 2024 elections. We have noticed the lower percentage of voter turnout and the effect that it might have had on the election results. The UDM definitely takes issue with the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) handling of these elections. There were far too many big mistakes on their side that negatively impacted on whether this election was indeed free and fair. In particular, the Commission’s handling of the complaints will be the final test that will make or break the IEC’s reputation and credibility. Although many will indeed be disappointed with their results, we congratulate our colleagues in other parties who have improved on their past performance. Our final thanks go out to the UDM’s activists on the ground who had worked themselves to a standstill. We appreciate your tireless contribution to our campaigns. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
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04 May, 2019
Bantu Holomisa’s address at a UDM Election Rally the Khutsong Stadium, Carletonville
• National Leadership of the UDM • Provincial and regional leaders of the party • UDM members and supporters • Fellow South Africans 1. Introduction A big thank you goes out to the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leaders and activists who have worked tirelessly in our campaigns over the past few months. The UDM does not have the luxury of spending millions of rands on our electioneering. But, we managed to stage a successful campaign with the flighting of billboards, putting up posters, handing out flyers and talking to the voters during our door-to-door canvassing. We also achieved our goal of successfully launching our manifesto in Port Elizabeth with thousands of South Africans in attendance. We can proudly say that we have worked as hard as we possibly can; and hold our heads up high. What we did not have access to is the constant media coverage that two political parties have enjoyed. We do however thank some media houses who covered us during this period. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have a responsibility to promote multi-party democracy and to ensure that news providers comport themselves in an ethical and unbiased manner. By not fulfilling their mandates and not enforcing the rules and regulations, these bodies have failed to ensure fair coverage of all political parties in these elections. 2. Another five years of corruption The bulk of the millions of registered voters will cast their votes on Wednesday. They will be cognisant of South Africa’s faltering economy that has produced jobless growth, and the situation has been compounded by corruption and maladministration – especially over the past ten or eleven years. It’s up to the voter to assess the status quo and decide what kind of leadership they want for the future. The commissions of inquiry, especially the Zondo commission, have unmasked a common denominator in the years of nauseating corruption and lies we hear about these days. We have heard how Bosasa and the Guptas have bankrolled the African National Congress (ANC). We erroneously thought that the former president and some of his cabinet ministers were the sole perpetrators of corruption. However, the revelations at the Zondo Commission tells another deeply distressing story. We now realise how Bosasa bought the top echelons of the ruling party. You will recall that the UDM, together with other opposition parties, have sought the constitutional court’s intervention on several occasions in an effort to fight the ruling parties’ looting and misrule over the past nine years. Had it not been for the opposition, there would not have been any change in government’s leadership. It is time for the voters to recognise the contribution we made to root out corruption. Voters must realise that the ruling party’s so-called, self-correcting nature, is a myth. The question voters must now ask themselves is this: “Do we want another five years of corrupt ANC rule?”. Should they get a simple majority, we are definitely in for more of the same. We will have the same corrupt individuals at the helm, and South Africa simply cannot survive under these conditions. We have seen first-hand how they operate. We know that the comrades in corruption see nothing wrong with their misdeeds and don’t care that our people are paying the price. What is worse is that they are not even ashamed of their blatant lies. We know that state institutions have become the private banks of the ruling elite. We, for example, know how the Public Investment Corporation wrote off billions of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) monies. We now know how a choice group of people, built empires using pensioners’ monies, making investments that has yielded no results and risked hundreds of thousands of pensioners nest eggs. The civil service wage bill remains cause for concern. This burden on government’s resources, is exacerbated, because of the overreliance on consultants. Civil servants, simply cannot do the jobs they are appointed to do. The side-effect of this system is that big business has ingratiated itself with the ruling party as they line up for lucrative government tenders; and they do this without investing that money to create more jobs. The greedy will continue to milk the system ignoring the fact that Jacob Zuma was not alone in his corrupt activities. It is not in their best interest to support other political parties. It would rather suit big business to, notwithstanding the ruling party’s gross failures, support Cyril Ramaphosa as if he is an individual free of political ties. What nonsense is this? People should not be surprised when they see this narrative repeated if the status quo remains. How much more proof does the voting public need to say no to another five years of ANC rule? 3. One party dominance One-party dominance breeds corruption. Multi-party democracy ensures that we have a government system that has the checks and balances built in. We have to fight for this system. The simple truth be told, should the current ruling party get a simple majority: • Looting of state resources will not end; • Instead of growing a bigger economic cake, economic depression will continue; • Dreadful joblessness will endure; • Our clinics will still not be equipped to take care of our people’s health needs; • Our education system will remain in tatters; • Our roads and infrastructure will further deteriorate; • The tolerance for crime and lawlessness will continue; • Environmental problems such as poor waste management will continue to plague informal settlements and townships; • Societal ills, such as alcohol and drug abuse, will never be rooted out; • We will still have elite projects, like the eToll system, impacting on businesses and workers, and; • We will still have a government of no consequences. After a twenty-five-year track-record, the ANC still has the temerity to campaign on the anti-corruption ticket. Given its reputation, why would the voting public give them another chance? 4. Free and fair elections South Africans demand free and fair elections. The world has their eyes on us. Investors are holding money at bay to see what happens. We have heard scary stories of how elections in other countries were rigged through the sophisticated hacking of results. We hope that the IT companies the IEC has appointed will not fall into this trap. If such a thing should happen, the IEC’s independence will mean nothing and our elections would hold no value. We also call on our colleagues in other political parties to watch the IEC like hawks. Our voting agents should make arrangements to rotate so that we can always have fresh eyes on the voting processes. We must be especially vigilant when it comes to the marking of the voters roll, to ensure that crooks don’t cast more than one vote. 5. What are the first things the new government should attend to? Priority number one for a new government should entail a broad approach, with the public and private sectors included, to create sustainable jobs. The role of government should be ironed out. It’s of no use to rattle off numbers, saying that so many millions of jobs will be created, whilst we see people being retrenched. Once this exercise is completed, we can say how many jobs will be created where e.g. in the agriculture and the textile industries. We need to stop the mass dumping of goods in South Africa from countries like China, Brazil and India, whilst we should be creating local jobs. The time for folding our arms is over and government has a responsibility to intervene to stop unfair competition with other countries who heavily subsidise their industries. 6. Closing The UDM’s message to the voting public is to apply your minds and vote wisely. Consider what we have said today when you make your cross on the 8th. For a corruption-free government, vote UDM! Thank you
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30 Apr, 2019
Funding for rain disaster in Durban should be diversified
Whilst the United Democratic Movement (UDM), commends the intervention of both the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the President, the UDM is of the view that the funds should be diversified to; 1. Offer immediate help to the victims; 2. Attend to the water-drainage infrastructure which seems to be inadequate, to cater for heavy storms in order to deal with communities’ anxiety due to the uncertainty of being the next victims should there be another bout of heavy rains. In all this, the committed funding should be made public for all to know! Issued by: Mr Boysey Gumede Provincial Secretary
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30 Apr, 2019
eNCA is biased towards some political parties
Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja, UDM President The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is shocked and offended by eNCA’s style of running its programming in the run-up to the 8th of May elections. We were invited to a party panel discussion to unpack our manifesto, on the 2nd of May, just to be unceremoniously disinvited, because only the “three big parties” will be given an opportunity to participate. The political playing field is level at this point in time, there cannot be so-called big or small political parties as we are all competing as equals in this election race. Also, an anonymous source informed us that the producer of the show had been removed and that the new producer is a Democratic Alliance sympathiser. Is eNCA slip showing? We believe that eNCA is a biased broadcaster that is not serious about promoting multi-party democracy in South Africa. The UDM will lodge a complaint with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDM National Treasurer
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27 Apr, 2019
Dedicating Freedom Day 2019, to Thuli Madonsela
South Africa started well in 1994 as we continued on the road of the noble ideals of protecting human rights and promoting the freedom of our people. There is much to be proud of, but the hard reality is that corruption, lies and mismanagement has been tearing at our socioeconomic fabric to the point where this nation has been brought down on its knees. It is for this reason that the United Democratic Movement dedicates Freedom Day 2019 to Professor Thuli Madonsela, our brave former Public Protector. The quiet, but firm style with which she ran her term of office is much to be admired and she earned the hearts of a grateful nation. Her mettle, professionalism and resolve saw Professor Madonsela stare down the lion’s maw when she pronounced on corruption in the highest office of the land and state capture. If not for her, this country would have gone down the drain of dishonesty of the highest order. It is time for South Africans to claim back their country from the corrupt and the delinquent. The 8th of May will be a watershed election and the voter must no longer be fooled by shiny parades and rallies that is held to mask how deep the rot has spread. The UDM wishes all and sundry a blessed Freedom Day. Statement by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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