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08 Sep, 2014
Distasteful Claims that Madonsela is a CIA plant
Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General The barrage of attacks, both on the person and office, of the Public Protector are becoming more and more creative. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has noted the claims that she is on the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) payroll and we find it distasteful. The sounds coming from the peanut gallery are a desperate attempt at discrediting a constitutional body that is doing its job properly. These statements, such as what Deputy-Minister Kebby Maphatsoe made at the weekend, is a clumsy attempt to protect President Zuma at all cost – even at the expense of our august Parliament and the credibility of the ruling party. For a Cabinet Minister to make such a statement is unbecoming. The UDM would ask the Deputy-Minister, should he have irrefutable truth that indeed Advocate Madonsela is on the CIA’s payroll, he should share that with the public. The UDM also noted that the ruling party had stopped at nothing to defend former Electoral Commission Chairperson Pansy Tlakula. The fact President Zuma’s office and his party has said nothing in defence of the Public Protector is extremely ironic.
Admin
04 Sep, 2014
UDM: Why can’t the Dalai Lama visit South Africa?
STATEMENT ISSUED BY MR BONGANI MSOMI, UDM SECRETARY GENERAL The United Democratic Movement (UDM) wants to know why the Dalai Lama is, yet again, barred from entering South Africa. Maybe it’s third time lucky? How ironic that a peaceful leader, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, cannot visit South Africa to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, whilst we are proud of those South Africans who have been bestowed the same honour. Now we hear that other laureates will not come if the Dalai Lama is not permitted to enter the country. What a poor peace summit it will make when the host country, for some unknown reason, denies the Dalai Lama access to this international event. The rest of the world must be raising their eyebrows. The UDM believes that it is plain and simple; there is a pattern forming. Government must come clean and say why it does not want the Dalai Lama to come to South Africa. Hiding behind bureaucracy just does not cut it anymore.
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04 Sep, 2014
UDM Women’s organisation: reaction to rape of Bongiwe Mnguni
Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) believes it is a travesty that women in the workplace, both in the private and public service, are not safe from sexual harassment, abuse, violence and rape. One of the main reasons why people with much needed skills, such as doctors and nurses, leave for greener pastures is that they are not safe at their places of work. We have much sympathy with, Ms Bongiwe Mnguni, a nurse who was beaten and raped at the Helen Joseph Hospital. We hope that she fully recovers from this horrific experience; our hearts go out to her. Although Ms Mnguni has suffered much harm to her body, mind and soul, we commend her for the courage to speak out. Hopefully this act will encourage more abused women to come forward. We also hope that Ms Mnguni will not leave the matter there. The police must investigate the incident and arrest the monster who attacked her. This man deserves nothing more than to rot in jail for the remainder of his years. UDEMWO believes that the hype created during Women’s Month and the 16 Days of Activism is all for nought. Government throws big parties under the name of sensitising the nation to the plight of women and girl-children. Journalists write endless stories during those times. They seem to be forgetting the rest of the year. Looking at this from a man’s perspective, they feel left out when all of government’s efforts are targeted at women’s issues – government should give some attention to this. The big picture looks bleak and UDEMWO calls on government to urgently make the places of work of their employees safe. Identifying the problem and talking about solutions is not enough – do something and find the criminals who makes us live in fear.
Admin
04 Sep, 2014
Statement by the Minister of Finance on retirement fund rumours
Address by Mr NL Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and honourable Members Savings and Investment are critical tools for a sustainable economic development and improvement of conditions of life of all nations. The reported shift from the panic “I can’t afford the cost of living” to action; cutting back on spending and paying down or avoiding debts and invest more, is a positive development, however, it is enabling few from urban and historical advantaged citizens. Each year, a certain percentage of households confirm to be earning more than the previous year, yet this is not directly translated into equal percentage increase on savings and investments instead increases the level and margins of daily consumption. Old Mutual Saving Monitor reported in July 2012, that there is a decrease in informal saving yet such has not resulted to any significant swing in favour of a particular type of saving. Further, this report showed that South Africans saving and investment were recorded in 2014 as follows: • 37% Life assurance / death and disability covers; • 24% Retirement Annuity; • 57% Pension/Provident Fund; • 27% Education; • 72% Funeral policy / plan and • 34% No formal retirement savings Facts are that, most people are saving for lavish funerals than life after formal employment and this affects mainly the historically disadvantaged citizens. This trend, if left as is, will certainly result to increase of citizens who retire to be beneficiaries of government grants. Accordingly, any attempts by government and the people of South Africa to intervene and ensure improvement in terms of savings and investment calls for our collective support as this house. Further, and in particular for those in the dark about the importance of a saving and investing nation more investment by government on education and education is one of the tools to be used to turn around the situation. We must as a nation and deliberately resist the temptation to expand the margins of the state security bracket. I thank you
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02 Sep, 2014
Speech in the national assembly on the subject of rhino poaching and its impact on our heritage
Address by Mr BH Holomisa, MP Honourable Speaker Honourable Members The poaching of rhino in South Africa is currently taking its toll on one of the most lucrative sectors, namely heritage tourism. The destruction of our heritage and unsustainable resource consumption results to lose of employment opportunities. In terms of statistical evidence, periodically released by various local and global institutions, indications are that we are losing the battle against rhino poaching. These statistics confirms that it is not well and that we have a national crisis. It further embarrasses the nation when such act of criminality, cruelty against animals and the threat to sustainability of our heritage is done with concurrence of some officials in collaboration with criminals. The question that we must ask ourselves as people of South Africa, is whether as a country concerned with future economic growth and its heritage, are giving due consideration to the actual economic value of these animals. It is reported that, involved in these acts is amongst others; South African citizens and one or more neighbouring countries. Whilst, we commend the department of environmental affairs and all citizens for their efforts in confronting this matter; a further decisive intervention will be for the South African President to engage the Heads of the relevant countries and bring and immediate end to rhino poaching.
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02 Sep, 2014
UDM: Holomisa reacts to Pansy Tlakula’s resignation
STATEMENT ISSUED BY MR BANTU HOLOMISA, MP – UDM PRESIDENT The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes that Advocate Pansy Tlakula has resigned as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). She has at last seen the light, but it is a pity that she was forced to do so at great cost to government and political parties. There are now no more excuses; the Electoral Commission must immediately implement all the findings of the Public Protector, including those that fingered certain IEC officials. Let this be a lesson to other people in high places who believe they are untouchable and above the constitutional organs and courts of this country Read more on SABC
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29 Aug, 2014
Eastern Cape: Education budget vote – Speech by the Honourable Mpulu in the Eastern Cape Legislature
• Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker • Honourable Premier and the Executive • Honourable members of the legislature • Officials present here • Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen Honourable Speaker I wish to indicate that I have observed a defeatist image in the Department of Education, but when you come close you can see that there are greater strides achieved both politically and administratively. We were at time of celebrating stability and progress in this department until we were informed that the head of department was suspended. There are four institutions in South Africa that you always avoid if you still love your career; it is SAFA, SABC, department education and department of health in the Eastern Cape. Honourable speaker it is a known fact that every effective and performing organisation needs permanency, those who are charged by acting responsibility have no full mandate because they themselves operate under as induced cloud, first they must prove to their predecessors that they have not always being eyeing their jobs so they would not want to make drastic action to tamper with their legacy lest they come become with venom. But the dichotomy is that they don’t want to rock the boat for the incumbent and that creates a state of vacillation. We are particularly not please by the lack permanency in the department, we wish to appeal to the MEC that post needs to filled with speed notwithstanding the pending matters in terms of labour relations. Honourable Speaker the second issue that we are keen to raise is that this department must be given space to focus on its core business, it is not pleasing to discover that some of the problems are logistically problems that relates to education such as the construction of schools. The non-payment of teachers remain to be sour point in this department, we are projecting the people in government yet our people are suffering under their watch and the sad part about the whole situation is the fact this perennial issues are issues that we have control over but teachers who have served with their sweat can look back and enjoy their retirement and the department put on the health and some might die if before they see their monies. What is more frustrating Honourable speaker is the non-payment of teachers in budgeted post, where get employed and months pass without remuneration. This cannot accepted at all. Honourable Speaker I might have missed this issue of rural allowance and I notice there little mention if any. The UDM is particular interest in whether this issues do have a positive impact in attracting good teachers in the rural areas. The UDM welcomes the EPWP programme that is geared towards ensuring that the education sector contributes to job creation, however Honourable Speaker we think that a more comprehensive approach could be implemented to make sure that these opportunities can be sustained even when the EPWP coffers dries up. We wish to call upon the department to rethink the strategic intervention of these jobs. They cannot be left in the manner where the department has allocated because have a potential to be a sour point in the school.
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28 Aug, 2014
The end of Women’s Month 2014 | UDEMWO
Issued by Mrs Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General At the end of Women’s Month 2014, we look to the future; the United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is worried that the National Development Plan is overall gender blind, disregarding women’s gendered practical, and strategic needs and concerns. Considering that this is the development map for South Africa we are dissatisfied with what our future prospects are. In addition, UDEMWO is doubtful that the sideways-move, to bring the Department of Women under the President’s roof, has any meaning. Since the establishment of this portfolio we have seen nothing but a waste of time and money. This is just another attempt at window dressing. Regarding the minister, after listening to Susan Shabangu’s statements at the Marikana Commission we are unconvinced that she is the right person for the job. Such insensitivity shown by a woman is beyond belief and a slap in the face of a community – especially the women and children – that is suffering. On behalf of women across the country, we ask President Zuma to clarify what the tangible outcomes are of his move. It is of no use to pay lip service to women’s empowerment. Being over 50% of our people, women must take their rightful place in our society and economy, and be given the power they deserve.
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