Admin
14 May, 2015
UDEMWO is calling on parents to keep an eye on children
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is worried about the growing number of children missing throughout the country. Everyday we hear of these missing children and most of them go missing while playing around their communities. This shows clearly that our children are no longer safe in their own communities. We are calling on parents to keep a closer look on their children and members of the community can play a big role in making sure that our areas are safe for the upcoming generation. Let us go back to Ubuntu where your child is my child. According to Missing Children SA, a child disappears every six (6) hours in the country and most of them are not found or found dead. We cannot fold arms and watch while we are losing these precious souls in their own space. We are calling on South Africans to hold hands and protect our little ones. Reasons behind these disappearances are not clear but they continue taking place and we cannot allow this. We are also calling on government to tighten up the laws relating to protection of children. Those who are involved in cases relating to children must rot in jail. Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja: UDEMWO Secretary General
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07 May, 2015
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: Vote 11 on Public Works
ADDRESS BY Mr ML Filtane MP Hon Chairperson, Minister and Members The United Democratic Movement supports the budget. However we want to drive home the following important issues for the department to pay the necessary attention to, during the current financial season. • For the financial year 2014/15, the Minister committed the department to creation of over a million work opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme as a contribution to the overall commitment to create 6 million work opportunities by 2019. In this regard, the department should quarterly and annually update its statistics against the targets and report accordingly. • During our oversight visit to Pretoria, one eight storey building, in which the Council for the Built Environment is involved, was discovered to be socially unfriendly and non-compliant with basic prescripts governing and regulating conditions for buildings, private and public. This matter needs to be attended to urgently. One ablution facility and toilet to serve 32 tenants in one floor is just not acceptable. • The Departmental Offices situated in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, has not been functioning optimally for a while, allegedly due to internal management challenges. This situation, if left unattended to, is compromising the efficiency and effectiveness of the department to render its services to its clientele. The Departmental Administrative Head should ensure that the situation is resolved. • The department must move with speed in finalising all the outstanding lease agreements. • The security of the Parliamentary villages remains a very sore and critical matter, this is notwithstanding all important decisions taken in the past. We still receive reports of break inns and uninvited visitors from outside in the middle of the night, risking the security of members. The department must ensure that once decisions are taken, they are implemented with the speedy they deserve. It must be remembered that this is classified as PRESTIGE PORTFOLIO of the department. • We need to get an update reports on the suitability of all government buildings in terms of access by people with disability as regulated. The department undertook last year to ensure that all Government buildings are compliant. • This budget, must also consider the funding framework for the Independent Development Trust. This should be consistent with the mandate of the IDT. The future of the employees of this entity remains uncertain, whilst this matter remains in limbo. The UDM hopes that corruption that has been widely reported, painting the department as a heaven of corrupt activities, is being aggressively addressed at an accelerated pace. I thank you. End
Admin
07 May, 2015
UDEMWO calls for reviewal of the parole system
Statement by Thandi Nontenja: UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation condemns the gruesome killings of women throughout the country. We are also calling on the Department of Correctional Service to explain how the parole system works. One of the accused in the recent murder case of the young teacher, Jayde Panayiotou in Eastern Cape has been in and out of prison for serious cases which include robbery and possession of illegal firearm which we view under serious charge and we are asking ourselves how was he able to be given parole. Three (3) months of being a parolee he is now facing a murder case, what does this say about the justice system of this country. It is even saddening to learn that Jayde’s husband is also in custody for his involvement in the murder of his own wife. This shows clearly that women in this country are not safe and always living in fear of not knowing what is going to happen to them. Everyday we are being abused and killed by those who supposed to love and protect us. We are living a life of fear in the hands of those we call loved ones. Men have forgotten and abandoned their role as protectors and builders of the nation. South Africa is known for the Spirit of Ubuntu but that is fading by day. As women we are not safe at all even in our homes. We are victims of crime everyday without protection and that is why we are calling for the hand of justice to prevail and not grant bail for those involved in the murder. We are also calling upon the Department of Correctional Services to view their parole system as we feel that somehow it is not applied appropriately. End
Admin
06 May, 2015
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: Vote 14 on Basic Education
ADDRESS BY Ms CN Majeke MP Hon Chairperson, Minister and Members The United Democratic Movement supports the budget. However we want to drive home the following important issues for the department to pay the necessary attention to. • As part of consolidating the transformation of the basic education sector and improve the quality of product thereof, the department should seriously consider the taking over the Early Childhood Development from the Department of Social Development and integrate this phase of education into the mainstream. • As a country, we need an education system that is integrated and seamless with a curriculum that talks to each other. This approach takes into consideration the fact that cognitive development of a child takes place during the years of early childhood development. • The capturing of accurate and reliable data on teachers across the country needs to be improved by the South African Council of Educators. In order to assist SACE in this regard, the department must attend to the continued outcry from SACE regarding the timing of funds received from the department. • Whilst SACE receives complaints with regard to relationships between learners and teachers, resulting in pregnancy and a possibility of young girls dropping out of the schooling system, SACE does not have authority to request DNA to verify such allegations. In this regard, we are of the view that the relevant regulatory framework that does not give this authority to SACE should be investigated for possible amendments. • The Department of Education reported through the “School Realities 2011”, that almost 50% of pupils who enrolled for Grade 10 in 2011did not reach Grade 12 in 2013. This is surely a cause for great concern in particular given that there is no subsequent reports about their where about with respect to continued Human Capital Development Plan for the country. It is our firm view, that both the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education and Training should look at this situation and find concrete solution to the problem. • It maybe that some of these would be eligible to exit to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training and if this is not the case, something needs to be done urgently. • The Council for Higher Education proposed for undergraduate curriculum reform in 2013. This was based on the fact that many of the students who enter Higher Education for a three year degree do not complete their studies. Once again, both departments should cooperate in dealing with these critical challenges confronting our education system and Human Capital Development Programme. I thank you. End
Admin
06 May, 2015
Freedom Day Debate
ADDRESS BY Mr BH Holomisa MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and members The struggle for total freedom is a Nation’s struggle, fought from all corners of society. People; individually, collectively and through organised voluntary associations and other organs, fought for a free South Africa either by default or by design. The circumstances under which we celebrate the 21st Anniversary of our democracy, necessitate that we draw lessons from some of the fundamental ingredients that made the struggle against apartheid successful. The high levels of poverty, unemployment, inequality and corruption, demand that we go back to the collective and inclusive approach. Surely the exclusion of many, with requisite skills and knowledge in the name of the so-called deployment policy, does not help the nation to successfully confront these challenges. If this exclusionist approach is not attended to, the realisation of today’s theme is a dream because it will perpetuate the beneficiation of the few amongst those associated with the ruling elite. Acceleration of radical economic transformation requires amongst others very trusted and dedicated leadership which is not in the deep pockets of the upper class. The key challenge for the realisation of this theme, is the fact the ruling alliance is found wanting on the economic policy direction that the country should follow, 21 years into democracy. Instead of consolidating, it finds itself in crisis of a major disintegration with absolutely no hope of providing leadership on the very same theme. Clearly, the radical economic transformation agenda cannot be allowed to be a private property of this dis-integrated elite. Time for the people of this country to take charge of their freedom and drive their own development is long overdue. Let the nation unite and march to the powers that be against poverty, unemployment, corruption and nepotism. I thank you. End
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06 May, 2015
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: State Security Vote 7
Address by Mr BH Holomisa MP in the National Assembly Hon Chairperson, Minister and Members The security of a nation demands well-informed citizens backed up by highly trained security forces as well as enforcement of efficient and effective professionalism across the board. This is one area where the government cannot afford to fail and it should not be left to chance especially when appointing personnel in key state departments. The internal tension between and within some in the criminal justice system is a threat to the security of the nation. It would appear that our security forces have not escape the ugly consequences of partisan appointments thus negatively affecting their morale and productivity. Appointments based on narrow factional loyalty are a high risk to the security of the nation as a whole. Some of the operations conducted in the country, like Marikana and many others, confirm a lack of training and doctrine that is consistent with our Constitution. Our capacity on counter intelligence demands an urgent special attention. Daily, we are found wanting when sporadic violence visits our communities, risking the lives of the ordinary citizens. Some of these, risks our global diplomatic relations and create doubt on the would be investors. We seem to have lost the confidence of other nations we enjoyed since 1994. It is difficult to believe that visiting Britain by South Africans, would strictly require a visa because all of a sudden we are viewed as fertile ground for criminal activities. We need to recapture the lost ground sooner than later. The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence together with the responsible Ministers, should convene urgently to conduct a thorough assessment of whether our security forces are combat ready against any eventuality. Further, to diagnose why it appears to be easy to access a South African document to be used for criminal activities. The UDM hopes that corruption has not already engulfed the sensitive departments of state thus risking the lives of the citizens and the nation at large. I thank you.
Admin
28 Apr, 2015
Debate on the African Union’s Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want”
Address by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP UDM Chief Whip In the National Assembly Debate on the African Union’s Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want” Thursday, 30 October 2014 Speaker and Honourable Members, On 3 May 1999, respected BBC newsreader and former African correspondent, George Alagiah, wrote in a piece for The Guardian (of London) that, and I quote: “For most people who get their view of the world from TV, Africa is a faraway place where good people go hungry, bad people run government, and chaos and anarchy are the norm. My job is to give a fuller picture. But I have a gnawing regret that, as a foreign correspondent, I have done Africa a disservice too often showing the continent at its worst and too rarely showing it in full flower.” End quote. Making a bad situation worse is that even Africans themselves contribute to the negative African narrative. In a study of Afro-pessimism online in 2011, Matha Evans highlights that, and I quote: “Online expatriate responses to events in South Africa perpetuate its [afropessimist] thinking to varying degrees, with openly racist declarations and fantasies of recolonisation sitting at the extreme of the continuum, and predictions about the country’s decline and apologetic speculations about the benefits of apartheid situated further along the scale.” End quote. Even today there is a litany of media stories both here at home and abroad that propel this negative narrative about Africa. However, beneath this media-fuelled pessimism is a continent that dreams of moving out of the malaise of poverty and underdevelopment and building a new Africa. After many decades of relative economic stagnation, a number of African countries have achieved economic growth through the adoption of prudent macroeconomic policies and have seen improvements in political stability and more transparent elections. Therefore, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 should, among others plans and programmes, serve as a new trajectory for Africa’s development. Despite these achievements, we are aware that in Africa there is a yawning disconnect between word and deed, between our grand plans and implementation. And this disconnect regrettably tends to be couched in idealism rather than pragmatism. To achieve Africa Vision 2063, we must demonstrate the political will to implement our plans and commitments to eradicate hunger and poverty in Africa and by so doing place African countries on a path to sustainable growth and development. In Africa, we should commit to good governance and democracy and do away with the tendency to tolerate authoritarian regimes. As long as we tolerate authoritarian regimes, which brazenly fiddle with the public purse for self-enrichment, we will never remove the detritus that shackles Africa’s potential. We should compel African countries to create conditions necessary to help democracy take root. The success of nations rests on their ability successfully to entrench good governance, promote and consolidate democracy, because where there is democracy there is likely to be observance of the rule of law and of human rights. We all need to put hands on deck to end wars and conflicts in Africa and prevent new ones from occurring. We need to deal in particular with the “Big Men” of Africa who commit to bringing peace and stability in their countries, but simultaneously tear them asunder by conflict and endless civil wars due to, in part, their refusal to relinquish power. Fellow South Africans, Africans need a leadership that is able to reconfigure the hidden dynamics in the world that shape the relationship between Africa as the powerless continent and the mighty in the world, because these are important in how trade and wealth accumulation are determined in the world. We need a good leadership that takes on an iconoclastic character to providing African solutions to African problems. Taking the aforementioned bold steps would ,among other things, help to improve the depressing investment climate on the continent. Fellow South Africans, As we begin the process of implementing Africa’s Vision 2063, we should draw inspiration from the words of Haile Selassie, when he once said, and I quote: “We remain persuaded that in our efforts to scatter the clouds which rim the horizon of our future, success must come, if only because failure is unthinkable.” I thank you.
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24 Apr, 2015
The United Democratic Movement Supports Deployment Of Sandf In Areas Affected By Xenophobic Attacks
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP The United Democratic Movement (UDM) supports the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in support of Police Service in areas that are affected by the xenophobic attacks. It is high time that we come together in reclaiming and protecting everyone who lives in South Africa legally or not. It must be made that this country cannot fold arms while perpetrators continue to mess up the good name of this beautiful country. South African troops are all over the continent maintaining peace. This country cannot allow anarchy. The government and people of this country must work together to maintain peace. Our priority must be to stabilize and protect everybody in our streets.
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