Admin
11 Dec, 2019
Access to the internet is a human right!
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard welcomes the Competition Commission call for the South African mobile operator giants Vodacom and MTN to reduce their data charges by 30% to 50% within two months. This has been a call that the UDMYV has made for quite some time, calling for data to fall and allow young people to access jobs, business opportunities, studying purposes, social safety awarenesses and other miscellaneous itinerary. It is unacceptable and business unreasonable to have South African originating mobile network operators selling data at a lower cost in the neighbouring countries than at home. Our local data costs are significantly high consistently marginalizing the unemployed, low income and poverty-stricken young people. Internet allows for more sustainable development and economic participation and if South Africa is serious about growing an all-inclusive economy, now it is the time to walk the talk. Access to Internet is a basic Human Right equivalent and in line with 2.8 Freedom of Expression, 2.14 Freedom of Trade, Occupation and Profession, 2.21 Education, 2.24 Access to Information, etc. Access to Internet means e-commerce, e-business/ e-trading, e-marketing, e-health, e-learning & e-training, e-government, etc and citizens, especially, youth are currently held on captive with the high data tariffs. As a United Nations’ member state, an attendee and participant of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and an adopter of A Call to Action of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 looking at Connecting Africa through World-Class Infrastructure with specific reference to ICT, South Africa is infrastructural and technically behind its promise. The UDMYV calls on Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister Ebrahim Patel and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to carry on expedite plans to release more spectrum to allow the industry to grow and be competitive in the world that is fast changing and heading towards the popular Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). They must give specific timeframe on the issue of the spectrum as to when will it be released and all other related details putting her confidence to the public. Also as she claims to be a pioneer behind the 4IR, Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams should have paved a better foundation first by ensuring that a high speed broad-banded and low to free internet society with cyber-security in place is created. The sooner this is done the lesser we will hear stories from services providers of less spectrum. We commend the Competition Commission on this move and hope that this will be extended to all the network providers not just MTN and Vodacom to comply and reduce data without compromising its speed. — End — Issued by: Mr Masonwabe Nqawe UDM Youth Vanguard Western Cape
Admin
09 Dec, 2019
From humble beginnings to queen of the universe
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard joins millions of South Africans and Billions of people around the globe in celebrating yet another victory for our country. Our Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi has won Miss Universe 2019 pageant held in Atlanta USA. After wowing to the judges and fans throughout the competition Zozibini managed to swoop the title, taking over from Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Zozibini is the third South African to win the Miss Universe crown. The first was Margaret Gardiner in 1978, followed by Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017. She is also the first Miss Universe to wear the brand-new “Power of Unity” crown which is said to be worth R73 million. Zozibini Tunzi is from a small town Tsolo in the rural of Eastern Cape, inspired young kids that their skin and hair is indeed beauty, she further emphasized that the most important thing is to take girls, train and give them space in leadership in order to cement their place in society. This was shown in her courageous work prior her going to Miss Universe, having resumed her fight against gender-based violence a scourge that has and continuously causes pain to the soul of South Africa, as women and children daily are attacked, gruesomely murdered, and abused in any way that perpetrators deem. She raised the flag not just to South Africans to say enough is enough but to the world stage to join in the fight, declaring Gender-based violence as a global disaster in human existence. The crowning of Zozibini Tunzi as Miss Universe may have not come at a better time when the country is on its annual 16 Days of activism. Tunzi asked Men of South Africa to write letters of love that were imbedded in her National dress to show the world that South African Man can love and perpetrators have no place in our society. We are indeed a winning nation capable in all aspects therefore let us join hands with our Zozi in the fight against GBVs as she returns home to cement her work in society We congratulate Zozibini Tunzi our Miss South Africa/Miss Universe and wish her nothing but the best in her tenure on both responsibilities. We shall support her till the end. Halala Mamtolo, Ah Mchenge!! -end- Issued by: Yongama Zigebe UDMYV Gauteng Secretary
Admin
07 Dec, 2019
UDM NEC decision regarding the removal of Cllr Bobani as Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) met at the weekend to discuss the removal of the UDM’s executive mayor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality through a vote of no confidence on 5 December 2019. After carefully considering the feedback it received, the UDM NEC is of the view that the matter of the motion of no confidence was irregularly included on the council agenda and that the removal of Cllr Mongameli Bobani as executive mayor was therefore unprocedural. It is clear that some villainous political machinations were at play to hamper the progress Cllr Bobani’s administration was making and that, because he declined to take part in tender rigging, he was removed. Cllr Bobani has indicated that he has already taken the matter for judicial review. The Party wishes to take this opportunity to express its disgust at the manner in which it and Cllr Bobani were treated. As a matter of principle, the UDM fully endorses this legal action in the hope that, if it be necessary, any mayor will be protected from unprocedural removal from office. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
05 Dec, 2019
Call to keep South Africa rubbish-free over the Festive Season
As we approach the annual exodus where most South Africans return to their homes in the rural areas, and travel to holiday destinations, to take a rest period and celebrate the Festive Season, we are confronted with the usual littering along our roads. Travelers tend to throw garbage out of car and taxi windows, and this makes for an ugly sight, especially along our coastlines and heavily travelled routes e.g. Viedgesville to Coffee Bay/Hole in the Wall and Mthatha to Port St. John’s. Not only is this bad for our environment, but it negatively affects tourism. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) therefore call on all passengers and drivers alike to keep a container in their vehicles to dispose of rubbish inside the vehicles and then, to throw that away at the first bin marked for refuse at a rest stop. We call on people to not dispose of rubbish and building material at random spots along the roads at the outskirts of towns, but to take such rubble and waste to sites allocated for such disposal. Please go the extra mile and do the right thing. There is also a tendency of shop owners and businesses to dump packaging material, like cardboard boxes, on the pavements next to their premises. This must practice must come to an end. It is imperative that municipalities step-up their cleaning and waste disposal regime and double their efforts to keep our towns and cities clean over December and January. On 18 December, the UDM will drive a clean-up exercise in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) and Nyandeni municipalities and we invite all and sundry to take part. We have been in communication with the mayors, speakers and city managers of KSD and Nyandeni and call upon them to champion this initiative. We therefore ask that the managements in these municipalities make refuse bags and trucks available to assist in the cleaning process. Donations of bags and other cleaning materials are most welcome and shop owners and any private individuals are encouraged to contact us. We also appeal to truck and bakkie owners to take part in this clean-up drive. We call on councillors and the local communities to avail themselves and participate actively in this cleaning exercise. Released by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
Admin
04 Dec, 2019
Gender-based violence: enough is enough!
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation is disheartened about how these brutal killings are becoming a norm in our communities. Another young life lost, another bright future deprived. We cannot afford to have yet another hashtag with no action taken by the Police and other relevant departments including the Presidency. It is sad that women cannot live freely within our communities throughout South Africa, every day we read/hear of women being killed because men see women as sex objects. This behaviour is utterly disgusting. The UDEMWO calls on President Ramaphosa to take its call seriously by calling referendum on death penalty. Clearly the life sentences that being handed by the Courts, are not deterrent to these heinous crimes. Gomolemo Legae killed on the 1st of December, 2019 was just a young, innocent girl, a bright future awaited her, and right now she is no more. Kgaugelo Tshawe was also brutally killed few days just before the so-called 16 days of activism. Being a woman at this point in time in South Africa, you are just waiting to be a next victim. Why can’t we have 365 days of activism against women and children? What will it take for Government to act? How many more women must die before the government can act? Enough is Enough! The UDEMWO has written an open letter to President Ramaphosa on the 09-September-2019. We were hoping Mr President would speedily act on this, as women are under attack, the time for speeches and dialogues around this issue is over. We would like to see a government that implements change and not just talk about it. -end- Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
26 Nov, 2019
Member’s statement: Holomisa on United Kingdom visas
Honourable Speaker, For some time now the United Kingdom (UK) has required South Africans to apply for visas to visit the UK, because of that country’s security concerns. This includes the tedious requirement to obtain a transit visa to connect with flights to other countries. Yet, South Africa is still committed to freely welcome UK travellers and business-people to our shores. Rightly or wrongly, there seem to have been a taint of distrust of South Africans that arose around 2008/9. Much has changed since then, and one would argue that the time has come for the British and South African governments to reassess, and to alleviate a situation that by design unfairly penalises South Africans and virtually, still brands us (as a nation) as potential terrorists. The United Democratic Movement calls upon the South African government to sit down with their British counterparts to re-evaluate and to ascertain whether the reasons for their decision still stand. Also, the British government must please be requested to publish the details on where we are still failing. I thank you.
Admin
15 Nov, 2019
KwaZulu-Natal precarious weather
The United Democratic Movement would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones in the past 3 days, due to the severe and dreich weather in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Party also sympathises with the members of different communities that their properties were destroyed by adverse weather. Some of the havoc that has been witnessed like the over flooding along the N2 near the old International Airport can be blamed to the poor performance and negligence of the Department of Transport or SANRAL and eThekwini Municipality for failing to curb this from happening. This has been a problem from time immemorial whenever there are heavy rains. One does not need to be an engineer to realize that the drainage system that is there is not working The UDM calls on the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu and the KZN Provincial Government to give this matter an urgent attention and do whatever in their power to provide shelter and basic necessities to the communities that are affected by these hazardous weather conditions. All the victims that deserve to be helped must be assisted irrespective of their political affiliations as it has been happening in the past. A special plea is also made to all the motorists to be extra cautious on the roads by not putting their lives and of the passengers on danger, as seen on the videos that are circulating on Social Media. They must not dare the over flooded low bridges. It is dangerous. Lastly, the UDM proposes that the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa to declare State of Emergency to the ravaged districts in the Province. — end — Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
14 Nov, 2019
Condolences with passing of Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu
We have learnt with shock of the untimely passing of the AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu. His death is a terrible loss for the Xhosa Nation and South Africa. King Zwelonke was an outspoken and independent individual who did not shy away from expressing his opinions – especially when things were not right in our country. On behalf of the United Democratic Movement and myself, I express our condolences with his family and the Xhosa people. May his soul rest in peace. Statement by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
- 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
- 130
- 131
- 132
