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13 Jun, 2017
Condolences for Mr Ahmed Kathrada, Bantu Holomisa’s contribution to Parliamentary Debate
Honourable Speaker, and Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) appreciates the opportunity to honour, Ahmed Kathrada, a tower of strength and a source of inspiration to many generations; even if it could have been done earlier and better. I had the honour to meet Kathy and his fellow Rivonia Trialists in Umtata in 1989. Their presence and words spoken at the welcome-home rally, we organised for them, gave us the courage to continue supporting the struggle for liberation, knowing that we were on the right side of history. During my encounters with this stalwart, and others, they showed courage, humility and dignity. They reminded us that the seeming impossible can be done. They were always attentive, frank and robust when discussing issues. Again in 1990, the Rivonia Trialists converged in Umtata to welcome home the late OR Tambo. At that time, in the company of the late Madiba and OR, we discussed our perspective on the so-called Black on Black violence. I was accompanied by the current Military Ombudsman, General TT Matanzima and the current Commander of the United Nations Forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, General DM Mgwebi. We advised the leadership that the Apartheid government was negotiating in bad faith and that it was trying to catch the African National Congress (ANC) with a Trojan-Horse strategy. At that time, it became clear that the National Party delegation (led by Mr Niel Barnard) and the ANC team (led by Mr Jacob Zuma) had failed to plan for the security of the leaders and activists. It was a big security risk that could have created serious problems for the success of the negotiations; we therefore stepped in. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, the UDM offers its condolences to Kathy’s wife and life-partner, Ms Barbara Hogan, the family, friends and the ANC. During his last days, Kathy was deeply troubled by the conduct of the sitting Head of State and could not reconcile this conduct with the sacrifice he and other stalwarts made for this democracy. I hope that this House will soon truly honour him by responding positively to his call to Mr Zuma to leave office; especially seen in the light of this most recent email scandal. May his soul rest in peace. I thank you. Address by Mr Bantu Holomisa, UDM President, MP in the National Assembly
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09 Jun, 2017
UDM calls for plan and timelines of the revitalisation and revamping of inner city of Tshwane
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General UDM calls for plan and timelines of the revitalisation and revamping of inner city of Tshwane The United Democratic Movement (UDM) appreciates the commitment made by the City of Tshwane to revitalise and revamp the inner city. We hope that the renovation of old buildings in the central business district is part of this and will be a priority. This will help to bring down the high rate of crime that is currently taking place in these buildings and in the streets. Most of the streets with these buildings are difficult to walk pass by because muggers commit crimes and hibernate into them. It becomes very difficult for security agencies to apprehend them. These buildings are a hazard and they make innocent people more vulnerable. Some of these buildings are also used as brothels and drug dens. They also harbour illegal immigrants. With these renovations we hope to see a huge difference. People will be able to walk free along the streets in the CBD. However, as the UDM, we want to see the plan and timelines of the revitalisation and revamping of the inner city. The society is sick and tired of unfulfilled promises made by authorities. The landlords of these buildings must also play a vital role in their renovations and they must begin to take responsibility of what is happening in them. End
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06 Jun, 2017
Appointment of “sex- and pals-for-jobs” officials EC Legislature: Aloota Continua big time
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is shocked to learn that two senior managers at the Eastern Cape Legislature, implicated in a sex-for-jobs and jobs-for-pals scandal, have been rewarded with senior posts in another department. Human Resources management head Malibongwe Ngcai and strategic manager Basil Mase are now heading Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. This is a farce and it is saddening that corrupt officials are rewarded for their misdeeds. It is unfortunate that the ruling party does not realise the negative impact cadre deployment has on the nation. No one even wonders why the officials who are high up in hierarchy are implicated in such acts. The looting of the state resources is continuing unabated and no wonder the country has been degraded to a junk status. End
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02 Jun, 2017
UDEMWO calls for justice on child abusers
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General As the country commemorates another week of Children’s Week, the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) calls for the hand of justice not to be lenient to children abusers and murderers. Children have become vulnerable in the hands of evil doers and they must pay for their actions. Since the beginning of the year, more than 19 children have been killed in the Western Cape province alone while the killings continue throughout the country. This includes the cannibalism that took place in Port St Johns. This gives a clear indication that we are living in a cruel society. Most of these children died in the hands of the people close to them or someone they know. It cannot be that we continue living in such a society. We want justice to be served and a lot more needs to be done in making sure that children are protected and they feel safe. Everyday a child dies horribly and perpetrators continue to live amongst the community where they committed crimes. This must stop. The government together with all the stakeholders involved must come forward and tell the community about its plan to curb the crimes. We believe that the community has a vital role to play in making sure that the children are protected. We must go back to basics where my neighbour’s child is my child. End
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31 May, 2017
Protecting Women and Girl Children against violence and abuse (Rule 84) by Mr Lennox Gaehler, MP in the NCOP
Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) joins millions of South Africans to declare, violence and abuse of women and girlchildren, a crime against humanity. Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms, as well as gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence. The recent spate of gruesome murders of girls and infants, have a devastating effect on girls, women and society in general, and must be rejected by all. As a nation, we must never tolerate crime, the crime against women and girls must be stopped now. We must do everything legal, to prevent it from happening and address its root and structural causes. Prevention must entail, supporting the implementation of the laws, policies and programmes that place a strong focus on the promotion of gender equality, women’s empowerment and their enjoyment of human rights. Working together, as women, girls, men and boys, we must accelerate progress in preventing and ending violence against women and girls. Awareness raising and community mobilisation, including through traditional forms of communication, the mainstream and social media. The “Not in My Name” campaign by men must be part of our daily life. It must be a collective responsibility and an obligation of both men and boys to prevent and end violence against girls and women. Working with faith leaders, traditional leaders and communities, we must change the social norms and harmful practices, acknowledge and act against gender injustices. Government must too, ensure that the girlchild is protected and make available all the institutional function to give security to the girls. Abuse of girls through child labour is illegal and we have a responsibility to monitor the labour market and ensure that this is abolished. There must be a concerted drive to ensure that all girls enjoy full and equal access to education with the necessary support to keep them focused on the development of their future. A girlchild must be taught and encouraged to accept that there is no small or insignificant violence; all violence is gross violence and is a crime, and therefore must immediately be reported to law enforcement agencies at the time of its occurrence. Law enforcement agencies must be trained and taught on how to respond and manage gender-based violence. As society, we must build working families and household that respect human life. Criminals, who murder our young women must have no place in our homes, political parties, churches, schools, sports, and arts and cultural associations and in the society in general. I thank you
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30 May, 2017
Debate on Budget Vote 26 – Energy by address by Mr Lennox Gaehler, MP
Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members Electricity is a fundamental factor in a wide range of socio-economic matters; it is the lifeblood of an economically and socially active community. Reliable electricity has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of the poor, in particular, those in rural areas. We need to make it a priority to promote and incorporate all viable options for electricity generation. We must aim to ensure that every household has access to reliable electricity. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) calls on Government that, in rolling out solar and wind energy, we should give priority to rural communities and this programme should be conducted speedily. So far, what we have noticed that electrification does not reach to the deep rural areas in particular the Eastern Cape. An example, is wards 18 and 28 in the Mbhashe Municipality, Eastern Cape. Even after citizens took to the streets, and were promised intervention, to date, no electricity has been delivered in these areas and there is no acceptable explanation. We must agree, across the political spectrum that rural poverty constitutes a national crisis and is a grave injustice. Whilst there may be no silver bullet for the desperate conditions facing millions of the rural poor, the growing need for affordable energy has the potential to contribute to the rural socio-economic development. The wind energy provides a cheap reliable and mature source of energy and economic development; and is an integral part of South Africa’s energy mix. Lastly, and whilst it may not directly fall under your portfolio, Honourable Ministers, it is UDM’s firm position that the leadership problems at Eskom needs to fixed. Political interference needs to stop and stop now. We need a functional Eskom so that the Country’s electricity challenges can be addressed without compromise. The UDM supports the policy debate on Budget Vote 26. I thank you Address by Mr LB Gaehler, MP and UDM Eastern Cape Representative in the National Council of Provinces
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30 May, 2017
Safety of Women in South African society: Minister Shabangu is a hypocrit
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is shocked by the events surrounding the death of Eskom employee Thembisile Yende. She disappeared for almost two weeks and finding her body at her place of work is concerning in the extreme. The suspicious circumstance around her death is compounded by the fact that her car was apparently parked outside the offices, yet a police search did not reveal that she was, dead or alive, locked inside. It becomes quite worrying if women cannot even rely on the police to locate missing persons; in particular the more vulnerable women and girl-children. This is another example of how exposed the women has become in the South African society of today. We have a patriarchal, male dominated, culture in this Country where women are deemed second-class citizens. It does not help when the very minister, responsible for promoting our cause, makes hypocritical statements about a victim of violence being “internally weak”. Minister Shabangu is inefficient and is definitely not doing our cause any favours. President Zuma would have been well-advised to have removed her in his recent Cabinet reshuffle; we need a minister in this portfolio that is uncompromising in fighting for women’s rights. Minister Shabangu must be proactive in addressing the recent increase in gender-based violence. This phenomenon shows that she and her department are, or at least have been, complacent. She clearly has no concrete plan of action to address this issue and UDEMWO wants to see a bigger budget allocation to finding effective tools to address gender violence and changing societal perceptions, as well as male attitudes. UDEMWO calls on the South African Police Services to speedily get to the bottom of this case and find the perpetrator/s of this heinous crime. End
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30 May, 2017
Debate on Budget Vote 02 – Parliament by Mr Lennox Gaehler, MP
Honourable Chairperson and Members The Presiding Officers of this 5th Democratic Parliament, in the foreword of the Strategic Plan 2014-19, said, “Parliament exist to represent people and to ensure their involvement in government processes”. In this regard, and in the context of celebrating its twenty years of existence, we would recommend that this house, deliberately creates more mechanisms for citizens to have access to all the laws made by Parliament. We must move towards a deliberative participatory model of democracy anchored by an aggressive civic education. It is through knowledge that the people can understand and appreciate their responsibilities and rights in a democracy. Participation is an essential part of development; it develops self-confidence, pride, initiative, creativity, responsibility, cooperation and sharing and working together. Without meaningful participation development will lack and all development efforts and alleviation of poverty will be immensely difficult, if not impossible. People must be enabled to take charge of their lives and solve their problems whilst government and other development agencies are creating conducive environment and are facilitating. Secondly, the relationship between the parliamentary management and the staff has to be addressed with speed. It cannot be correct that each financial year we face possible labour action, because the management and the workers’ representatives are unable to dialogue effectively. The current dispute on salary increase and the alleged threat of retrenchments do not augur well for the effective functioning of this institution and has to be resolved with speed. Lastly, the outsourced function of cleaning, requires a reconsideration in order to safeguard jobs. The employees have proposed that they be insourced as Parliamentary staff. Given that their service is inherently part of the work of Parliament, we support the proposal for insourcing. We propose that the Presiding Officers prioritise the resolution of this matter. The United Democratic Movement supports the policy debate on Budget Vote 2. I thank you. Address by Mr LB Gaehler, MP in the UDM Eastern Cape Representative in the National Council of Provinces
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