Admin
19 Mar, 2025
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: World Recycling Day
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 joins the world in marking World Recycling Day - a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the environment, save resources and work towards a sustainable future. Recycling is not just about managing waste. It is about taking care of what has been entrusted to us. Many cultural and spiritual traditions teach us that the land is a precious gift. Keeping our environment clean is not only about appearance. It is about respecting nature, protecting life, and ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy and liveable world. Recycling has benefits beyond just keeping our surroundings clean. It reduces landfill waste, lowers carbon emissions, saves energy and creates jobs in the green economy. A cleaner city means healthier communities, a stronger economy and a better quality of life for everyone. We encourage all residents of Johannesburg to take responsibility for their surroundings by keeping them clean and embracing recycling. Simple actions like separating waste, reusing materials as well as supporting recycling efforts can make a big difference. As a party committed to sustainable governance, the UDM in Johannesburg will continue to push for policies that improve waste management, promote environmental education and support community-led cleanup projects. Together, we can build a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous city. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. The future of our city depends on how we care for our environment today.
Admin
18 Mar, 2025
Nesethu Rawuzela: UDM Eastern Cape condemns GBV and calls for justice for victims
Statement by Bulelani Bobotyane, Provincial Secretary of the UDM in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Eastern Cape is deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic murder of Nesethu Rawuzela, a young nurse from Qumbu, Eastern Cape, who was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend, leading to her untimely death. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Rawuzela family, her colleagues, and everyone affected by this senseless act of violence. No family should have to endure such pain and loss. Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to plague our society, with women and children bearing the brunt of these heinous crimes. The recent incidents in the OR Tambo district, including the case of a 32-year-old man accused of murdering his 24-year-old wife in Nkonkweni, Qumbu, highlight the urgent need for greater interventions to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the fight against GBV and we call upon law enforcement agencies and the justice system to ensure that perpetrators face the full might of the law. There must be no room for impunity. Justice must be swift, decisive, and uncompromising in dealing with those who violate the rights and dignity of others. The UDM in the Eastern Cape also urge government institutions, civil society, and communities to work together in strengthening GBV awareness, support systems for survivors, and proactive interventions that will curb these atrocities before they occur. Women must feel safe in their homes, workplaces, and public spaces without fear of being attacked by those who claim to love them. The UDM in the Eastern Cape, together with its youth and women’s structures, the United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) and the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO), will not remain silent while women continue to suffer. We will be at the forefront of advocating for policies and initiatives that address the root causes of GBV while supporting survivors and their families. To show solidarity with the family of the deceased, UDM public representatives, along with members of UDESMO and UDEMWO, will be present at the Tsolo Magistrate’s Court tomorrow to support the Nesethu Rawuzela’s loved ones and demand justice. The UDM stands firm in ensuring that this case is not just another statistic but a turning point in the fight against gender-based violence. To the Rawuzela family and all those who have lost loved ones to GBV, we stand with you in your pain. The UDM will not rest until real change is achieved, and justice prevails.
Admin
12 Mar, 2025
Mismanagement of City Power: R4.9 billion in irregular expenditure
Statement by Andile Jabavu, Gauteng Provincial Secretary of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Gauteng is deeply concerned about the Auditor-General’s (AG) shocking findings on the City of Johannesburg's City Power, revealing a staggering loss of R2.8 billion in the 12 months ending 30 June 2024. Even more alarming, the entity incurred irregular expenditure exceeding R4.9 billion, raising serious questions about financial mismanagement, corruption and governance failures. City Power, a vital municipal entity responsible for electricity supply in Johannesburg, is teetering on the brink of collapse. The AG has warned of “material uncertainty” regarding its ability to continue operating, with its liabilities exceeding assets by R1.1 billion. These revelations come as residents endure frequent and prolonged power outages, exacerbating Johannesburg’s ongoing electricity crisis. Of particular concern is the R12 million advance payment allegedly made to a politically connected businessman, for a public lighting project, months before any work was done. Reports shows that internal City Power officials raised red flags, warning that this payment violated Treasury regulations under the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Public Finance Management Act. However, these concerns were allegedly overridden by a senior official who instructed subordinates to process the payment despite clear irregularities. Even more alarming, the businessman in question is allegedly linked to a known African National Congress benefactor, raising serious concerns about political interference. Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable, yet City Power’s response to these grave allegations have been vague, with promises of investigations that have so far produced no tangible results. Meanwhile, Johannesburg residents continue to endure worsening infrastructure and daily power failures. The UDM in Gauteng will not stand by while public funds are mismanaged at the expense of service delivery. We call on the City of Johannesburg and law enforcement authorities to act decisively in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those responsible for City Power’s financial collapse are held to account.
Admin
11 Mar, 2025
UDM condolences to families of R21 bus crash victims and urges road safety compliance
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of twelve lives in a devastating bus crash on the R21 near OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng today. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased during this incredibly difficult time. We also extend our thoughts and prayers to those who have been injured and wish them a full and speedy recovery. This heartbreaking incident follows two other recent bus crashes in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, bringing the total number of fatalities to nineteen in just two weeks. These tragedies highlight the urgent need for stricter road safety measures and responsible driving. We urge all road users, especially public transport operators, to always prioritise safety by: 1. Obeying all rules of the road i.e. the speed limit, road signs and safe following distances must always be observed. 2. Ensuring roadworthiness of vehicles by thoroughly checking them before every trip to prevent mechanical failures, especially tires and brakes. 3. Resting when tired as fatigue is a major cause of accidents, drivers must take regular breaks to ensure they are alert and able to react to road conditions. Losing lives on our roads is unacceptable. The UDM calls on the authorities to intensify road safety campaigns, enforce stricter vehicle inspections and ensure that those responsible for public transport uphold the highest safety standards. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their families find strength during this painful time.
Admin
28 Feb, 2025
UDM disturbed by ill-considered McDonald's foldable desks for Grade 1 learners
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned about the ill-conceived donation of foldable school desks, handed over by the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, in partnership with McDonald's and MiDesk Global. These desks were given to St. Paul's Primary School in Cape Town's Bo Kaap, in the Western Cape. It is unacceptable that, in 2025, our children are being used as walking advertisements for corporate branding instead of being provided with fully equipped classrooms that uphold their dignity. South African parents and educators have justifiably expressed their outrage over this situation. Rather than ensuring every child has a proper desk in the classroom, the department is celebrating a donation that shifts the responsibility from the government onto the backs of young children - literally! These desks are highly impractical, especially given the long distances and challenging roads many children must traverse to get to school. Adding this extra burden is absurd. To make matters worse, it is highly likely that the average child carrying the McDonald's foldable desk won’t even be able to afford a McDonald's Kiddies Meal in the first place! This situation is a national embarrassment for which Minister Gwarube must take full responsibility. We call on the Government of National Unity to ensure that every child, especially the poorest of the poor, has a desk to sit at when they are at school. Let us hope this is a one-time failed experiment that is not repeated elsewhere in the country.
Admin
28 Feb, 2025
UDM calls for urgent action against school bullying after more than 500 incidents occurred
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned about the alarming number of bullying cases reported in South African schools since the start of the 2025 academic year. A staggering 548 incident have been recorded, with Limpopo leading at 305 cases, followed by North West (78), Eastern Cape (68), and other provinces reporting significant numbers. The recent tragic deaths of learners, as well as shocking cases of physical and emotional abuse in schools, highlight the urgent need for decisive action. No child should fear going to school and no family should have to mourn a child due to bullying. The UDM calls on: 1. School authorities to strictly enforce disciplinary measures against bullies, including suspensions, expulsions and criminal charges where necessary. 2. Government to immediately launch a nationwide anti-bullying campaign, involving teachers, parents, learners and law enforcement to educate and prevent further incidents. 3. Schools and school governing bodies to have clear anti-bullying policies that are strictly implemented and monitored. An updated “Addressing Bullying in Schools” manual must be expedited and enforced by mid-2025. 4. Government to ensure that trauma counselling and legal support are available for victims of bullying and their families. 5. School principals, governing bodies and education departments must be held accountable for failing to act on bullying cases. The UDM further calls on the Department of Basic Education, SAPS and the Department of Social Development to intensify their inter-departmental efforts to prevent school violence. Parents, communities and school staff must work together to ensure that schools are safe learning environments for all children. Bullying is not just “child’s play”, it has deadly consequences. The UDM demands urgent action before more lives are lost.
Admin
27 Feb, 2025
UDM rejects commission of inquiry into initiation deaths as a wasteful exercise
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) strongly rejects the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ (CoGTA) decision to establish yet another commission of inquiry into the tragic deaths of initiates in the Eastern Cape. This is nothing more than a wasteful exercise that will do nothing to address the ongoing crisis. We have seen this pattern before; the government launches a commission, spends millions of rands, compiles a report, and then shelves it. Meanwhile, families continue to bury their children, and the root causes of the problem remain unaddressed. If the government were truly serious about resolving this issue, it would prioritise the solutions that traditional leaders have long proposed. The House of Traditional Leaders has consistently called for stricter enforcement against illegal initiation schools, proper training and regulation of traditional surgeons, and better coordination between cultural structures, communities, and law enforcement agencies. These are practical, implementable measures, yet CoGTA chooses to waste time and money on another commission that will bring no new solutions. Even more concerning is the complete lack of consultation on this matter. Some leaders of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) were not even informed of this decision and only learned about it through the media. This raises serious questions about the government’s true intentions. If this commission is genuinely meant to protect initiates, then why are those responsible for overseeing the tradition being sidelined? This is unacceptable and further proof that the commission is nothing more than a political smokescreen, an illusion of action with no real impact. For years, traditional leaders, as custodians of this sacred practice, have pleaded for resources to properly implement their strategies, yet they have struggled to secure government support. They have called for funding and resources to ensure that initiation schools are safe, properly regulated, and culturally authentic. Yet, instead of investing in these well-funded solutions, the government suddenly finds money for an inquiry, a process that could cost millions while delivering little to no tangible change. This is yet another example of misplaced priorities: money wasted on endless discussions instead of real, life-saving action. Should CoGTA insist on proceeding with this commission, it must be led by Xhosa men who have undergone the initiation process themselves. Anything less would be a complete insult to this deeply significant rite of passage. Initiation is not a bureaucratic procedure, it is a sacred tradition that requires respect, cultural understanding, and firsthand experience. No one who has not walked this path can claim to regulate or intervene in a process they do not fully grasp. The UDM demands that CoGTA abandon this unnecessary commission and instead redirect its resources towards real, practical interventions, such as regulating traditional surgeons and caregivers, enforcing strict oversight of initiation schools, and strengthening collaboration between cultural structures, communities, and law enforcement. Furthermore, there must be aggressive law enforcement operations targeting illegal initiation schools and unqualified surgeons, particularly in hotspot areas such as the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo regions of the Eastern Cape. The time for talking is over, now is the time for action. Mabaye bephila, babuye bephila abantwana!
Admin
27 Feb, 2025
UDM raises concerns over education crisis: Our children deserve better
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is alarmed by the findings of the latest 2030 Reading Panel report, which confirms the ongoing crisis in South Africa’s education system. This report paints a bleak picture of literacy and mathematics skills among both pupils and educators, further entrenching inequality and threatening the future of our children. According to the Report, a shocking 80% of Grade 3 pupils still cannot read for meaning in any language, while nearly 70% of Grade 6 pupils fail to reach appropriate reading levels in their language of learning and teaching. Even more concerning is the widening gap between pupils who speak English and Afrikaans and those who speak African languages - an unacceptable reality in a democratic South Africa. Equally distressing is the sharp decline in Maths proficiency among teachers. In 2013, only 1.4% of Grade 6 maths teachers had basic maths knowledge; today, that number has jumped to 7.3%. This means too many of our children are being taught by educators who lack essential skills to prepare them for the future. How can we expect our young people to compete in a world driven by science, technology, and innovation when our education system is failing them so badly? While we note the improvement in teacher reading proficiency, with 94% of Grade 6 teachers now classified as critical readers, this progress has yet to translate into better literacy outcomes for pupils. The UDM acknowledges efforts by some provinces to introduce reading assessments, but we need a national approach that ensures no child, regardless of where they live, is left behind. The root causes of this crisis are clear: • The lack of proper teacher training and professional development. • Overcrowded classrooms that prevent individual attention. • Budget cuts that leave provinces struggling to provide basic resources. • Misalignment between universities and the Department of Basic Education, leading to teachers unprepared to teach in African languages. The Department of Basic Education’s slow response has already robbed too many children of their right to quality education. The UDM demands urgent and decisive action: • Immediate intervention in foundation phase education to equip young learners with strong literacy and numeracy skills from the start. • Better teacher training and recruitment, where universities must produce educators who are truly fit for purpose. • Investment in African language education, because language should not be a barrier to success. • Proper budget allocations: Government must better spend funding for quality education. Our children are the future of this country but without the right education, they have no future at all. The UDM calls on the Government of National Unity to step up its game so that every child in South Africa receives the quality education they deserve.
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
- 08
- 09
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
