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20 Apr, 2016
Message from UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP at the launch UDM Gauteng Manifesto for 2016 Municipal Elections
Chairperson, NEC Members of the UDM Members and Supporters of the United Democratic Movement Gauteng Citizens WELCOME Welcome one and all, and thank you for making the effort to come and listen to the vision which the United Democratic Movement (UDM) has for people of Gauteng. In just over three months’ time, you will have an opportunity to have your say in which party should govern your municipalities. Through the ballot box, on the 3rd of August, you have an opportunity to lay foundations for change for the better and create hope for the future. As a voter, it is up to you to set a new agenda. You have the power to say what are the real priorities; as opposed to the elite projects (such as speed trains, automated tolling, etc.) which contribute nothing to your life and only enrich the politically-connected. It is time to PUT COMMUNITY FIRST by prioritising service delivery and removing the politicians and parties that stand in the way of that. GAUTENG AS OUR FLAGSHIP PROVINCE Gauteng is the gateway to South Africa and is the economic hub of our country. Yet, we witness how our people struggle to find work and struggle to find a decent home to live in. There are disconcerting signs that our infrastructure is in distress. If you walk down our streets you will see paint flaking from the walls and roofs of the buildings. It is a sad and ugly sight. No-one respects the bylaws and they are definitely not enforced. Our CBDs are fast becoming unhygienic slums threatening community health. UDM Councils will be proactive in identifying problem areas, with the help of communities, to ensure that dilapidated buildings are inspected. Owners will be forced to bring buildings up to standard and to maintain them. This will not only ensure a safe living environment, but is a win-win strategy to reduce crime and increase property values. PRIORITIES OF MUNICIPALITIES It is clear that the councils and municipalities in this province has not done well and in some cases failed completely. In far too many municipalities the councils have their priorities all wrong. For example, in which universe does a council approve millions of Rands to be spent on a mayoral soccer extravaganza whilst they owe millions of Rands for electricity and water. Yet, this happened. Whilst our people are jobless and homeless, councils throw mammoth parties with taxpayers’ money. When you, the voter, go to the ballot box in August, you must think of putting leadership in place that will not forsake the needs of the people with frivolous expenditures. The UDM has the right people and the right plans to make sure that council monies are spent on the bread-and-butter needs. SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT AND DECENT LIVING CONDITIONS People see Gauteng as the duck that lays the golden eggs, and yet when they come to Johannesburg or Pretoria they are in for a rude awakening. Job hunting aside, one of the first things people need is a roof over their heads. Our townships have become a deposit ground for the homeless. People build their meagre shacks wherever they find an open space. Out of desperation, these buildings arise near landfills and floodplains which are extremely dangerous. The rats that infest these areas are disease ridden and are so big they even attack people. UDM councils will make spatial development programmes an immediate priority. People who have built their shacks in dangerous areas must be assisted immediately and measures taken to prevent others from building there. The long-term solution to these problems is the acceleration of housing programmes. The UDM will make adequate housing, in conjunction with provincial and national authorities, one of the highest priorities in those councils where we govern. Local government would immediately make land available for development and infrastructure development will be monitored by both the national department and a municipality. LIVING IN A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: THE JUKSKEI AS AN EXAMPLE Johannesburg’s official waste management service provider states that their mission is to keep the city clean and preserve an attractive and hygienic environment for residents and visitors. Yet, this commendable vision only seems to only apply to certain areas of the city, and only when the company’s workers are not on strike. Let us take areas near the Jukskei River… It is heavily polluted by urban runoff and lack of infrastructure maintenance has let raw waste flow into the river on a daily basis. Outbreaks of cholera are prevalent. Tons of waste such as plastic, metal and rubber flow down the river annually. Aside from the environmental damage the river suffers, many people in Alexandra Township access this water for washing, drinking, and cooking. This is an appalling indictment against the City of Johannesburg. The UDM believes that the problem can be addressed by finding a simple solution closer to the people. A UDM-led municipality will help the people to help themselves by creating small businesses, owned by the community, that will be responsible for cleaning the area they live in. This way jobs are created, people can claim ownership of their environment and all can live in a decent, healthy space. POLITICISING MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS; THE CAPE TOWN EXAMPLE Municipal affairs are, more often than not, politicised to the extent that political parties block each other at every road simply for the joy of derailing each other. This political obstinacy has only one effect: the people suffer. The citizens of the Cape Flats live in abject poverty and squalor and for what? Government, whether it be at local, provincial or national levels have one purpose: that is to work for the betterment of our people. The UDM has a track-record of working with other parties and we will continue our philosophy of doing just that: working with our colleagues to make life liveable for our people irrespective of political affiliation. RATES AND TAXES For years the billing system for rates and taxes in Johannesburg, in particular, has made headline news. Despite assurances that the city has sorted out its mess, the administration continues to battle a large deficit, partly due to poor management and collapsing infrastructure, and partly due to its failure to collect rates and service fees in areas where there is a high rate of illegal usage and/or payment defaults for legitimately supplied utilities. In a UDM-led council, this administrative incompetence will not be tolerated. It is clear that our cities and towns are in need of well trained, competent officials to administer billing systems. In order to get to the bottom of this mess an extensive skills-audit needs to be done immediately and corrective action taken. ADRESSING PROBLEMS OF A COMMUNITY AS COLLECTIVE Unfortunately our people have reached levels of frustration which leads to lawlessness and violence. When they vent their dissatisfaction with service delivery the effects are mostly felt at local level whilst the problems might not necessarily be addressed at that level. In some instances, a councillor will be approached to solve a service delivery problem in the community, but he/she might not be capacitated to address the problem. Very easily that councillor becomes a scapegoat and suffers the wrath of the community. The UDM proposed that small crises committees be instituted that have all the necessary technical expertise to assist councillors in their work. Once dissatisfaction arises within a community, a quick call to such a crises committee can be made. If it is a simple problem of a burst pipe, engineers can be dispatched or if a more a complex problem, meetings can be arranged with complainants and solutions found as a collective. IMPORTANCE OF THE 3 TIERS OF GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER As I have mentioned earlier, our people vent their frustration on the streets where they live. Whether the problem actually lies with national, provincial or local government becomes quite irrelevant. An ordinary citizen will try to find a solution closest to home and that sometimes mean that the blame is laid at a municipality’s door. To prevent this from happening, the UDM believes that it is crucial that all three tiers of government must work much closer when they are planning and budgeting. In other words, the problem must be identified and stopped before it becomes a reality. UDM Councils will therefore be proactive in creating fruitful partnerships with their counterparts higher up in government in an effort to prevent crises before they occur. PUTTING COMMUNITY FIRST The time for citizens to take control of their lives and dictate their destiny is now. Join the United Democratic Movement in its call – “PUT COMMUNITY FIRST”. Putting Community First, means: working together with the South African Police Service, businesses and the community, bring closer to the people, satellite police stations. It also means, empowerment of local community safety organisations like neighbourhood watches. Putting Community First, means: fair and proper valuation of all properties, and stopping the excessive property rates. It also means, ensuring that the correct residents are accurately billed for services they actually receive. Putting Community First, means: access to basic services to the poorest of the poor without being charged. This also means scrapping any Apartheid-era arrears and strengthening of the rolling out of the indigence policy. Putting Community First, means: collection of refuse on a regular basis, cleaning of streets, parks, pest and rodent control and promoting income generation through recycling. Putting Community First, means: no abuse of office power, immediate action against all officials and councilors found to be involved in corrupt activities. It means rooting out any attempt to award municipal tenders to people with personal or family ties to council employees and councilors. It also means, the tendering system shall be transparent, unbiased and open to public scrutiny. CONCLUSION We have so much work to do, the need is great. But we can do this, we can rise above the current disaster in local government. Let us vote for a party and councillors dedicated to joining hands with their communities. This local government election is our chance to show that it can be done. Starting in the streets where we live, we can build something greater, something better, to improve the lives of our families and loved ones. The UDM has stood the test of time and has been consistent in its efforts to make South Africa a Winning Nation. To vote for the UDM is to vote a better future for you and your loved ones. Thank you
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05 Apr, 2016
Debate on the Removal of President in terms of section 89(1)(a) of the Constitution
Debate on the Removal of President in terms of section 89(1)(a) of the Constitution ADDRESS BY Mr BH Holomisa MP in the National Assembly Fellow South Africans, The fact is, the Constitutional Court has found Mr Zuma and the National Assembly to have failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution. Today South Africa finds itself with two organs of state that have lost the moral authority to be representatives of the people of South Africa. Mr Zuma’s unlawful actions, have sunk the Executive, the National Assembly, the nation and his political party and have put the country is at crossroads. The responses from Mr Zuma and Ms Mbete together with their accomplices to this constitutional crisis, have displayed a serious contempt of court. The key question that faces the nation is – what is to be done? The United Democratic Movement recommends that: 1. South Africans from all sectors of society should urgently meet and reclaim their freedom by developing and adopting a Programme of Action which will, amongst others, include. 1.1. An immediate resignation of Mr Zuma – failing which the citizens must cause him to be criminally charged; 1.2. An immediate dissolution of parliament; 1.3. An immediate establishment of an Interim National Government; 1.4. The reform of the Electoral Act; 1.5. A fair and transparent party funding legislation; and 1.6. The holding of National General Elections within six to eighteen month time; Consultation with the citizens must produce an electoral system that creates: 1. A balance between the constituency and proportional elected representation systems; 2. A direct election of the State President by the electorate; 3. A vetting of candidates for cabinet positions; 4. An appointment of an independent Speaker of Parliament from outside of party politics. Let the voice of the people be heard. I thank you
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09 Mar, 2016
Racial Tension and conflict at South African Universities
Address by Mr UDM Chief Whip Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Madame Speaker and Honourable Members, The racial strife the #AfrikaansMustFall campaign has caused and other critical issues raised by the #FeesMustFall Movement should rouse us from our deep Rainbow Nation slumber! It is clear that the majority citizens clench pent up frustrations about an economic system that marginalises them and their languages more than two decades since we attained freedom. Kenyan Author, Ngugi wa Thiong’o once shared his insight into the role of language in the historical consciousness and development of nations with these words, and I quote: “It is this aspect of language, as a collective memory-bank of a given people, which has made nations and peoples to take up arms to prevent total annihilation or assimilation of their languages, because it is tantamount to annihilating that people’s collective memory-bank of past achievements and failures which form the basis of their common identity. It is like uprooting that community from history.” End quote. The ongoing racial conflict at our universities over the use of languages can, to some extent, be viewed in this context. It is an attempt by each party to, whether rightly or wrongly, act in manner that seeks to protect and ward off an affront to its “common identity”. With our liberal Constitution, which protects all our rights, this needs not be so. It is the Constitutional right of Afrikaans students to be taught in Afrikaans – and we must respect that! Similarly, it is the Constitutional right of indigenous language speakers to be taught in the language of their choice – and that too must be respected! And no one should foist Afrikaans on our people! The nub of the problem, however, is that, two years later, we have failed to elevate the status and the use of languages of diminished use, in line with Section 6 (2) of the Constitution. We have to develop our languages into academic languages that grant their speakers equal access to power and influence. Speaker, We reject racism with the contempt it deserves. As we do so, we should remember that many students face discrimination at our tertiary institutions on a daily basis. They also have to put up with an alienating institutional culture that makes it difficult for them to acclimatise and to compete with their white counterparts. We have to compel our institutions to build an inclusive institutional culture that integrates students from diverse backgrounds in a manner that follows broad principles of representativity, receptivity and fairness. However, more broadly, the unrest at our universities is a microcosm of South Africa’s larger socio-economic problems, such as the slow pace of economic transformation, high levels of poverty and inequality among the majority citizens, which require urgent attention. We therefore cannot remain impassive in the face of their anguished cries for help! We have to roll-up our sleeves and get involved. But before we do so, our students have to commit to a disciplined, structured and nonviolent struggle that forwards their cause. History warns us against the disastrous consequences of allowing emotions to overwhelm our ability to reason. Fellow South Africans, Whatever our differences, we are all stitched together by our shared history and common destiny. We are therefore all duty-bound to help build a South Africa in which we all look forward to the sunrise of our tomorrow. I thank you.
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08 Mar, 2016
Isilimela Road in Port St Johns and the Mthatha High Court
Statement by Mr Mncedisi Filtane (MP) in the National Assembly Responding to the much published potential loss of the public monies, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) member of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Mr. Mncedisi Filtane, fielded this question to the Department: “What is that the department if doing about a much publicised potential loss surrounding the stalled road construction of the Isilimela Road in Port St Johns and whose contract value is R200 million?” The department made a commitment in the Portfolio Committee meeting, that it will investigate the matter, working with the Provincial Department of Public Works and thereafter, present a report to the committee soon. The United Democratic Movement welcomes this speedy response and commitment. We hope the investigation will ensure that the much needed road is constructed with speed and that public monies are not wasted. We further welcome a commitment made the by Minister of Public Works with regard to the Mthatha high court infrastructural upgrade. During 2015, this matter was raised with the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services. Amongst issues raised was the infrastructural decay of the high court. Today, the Minister of Public Works, pronounced that the Mthatha high court will be attended to, from the 1st of April 2016 and a progress report will be presented to the Portfolio Committee at the end of the first quarter of the year, which is the end of June. We also welcome this commitment and looking forward to the upgrading of the Mthatha High Court so that it can provide qualitative services to the people.
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20 Mar, 2016
Motion of No Confidence in the President
Address by Mr BH Holomisa MP in Parliament Hon Speaker and Hon Members The South African electoral system does not enable the electorate to directly elect a President of the country. Contrary, South Africans vote for a political party which in turn appoints a President. It is therefore a duty of the ruling party to ensure that its candidate serves the nation with distinction and in accordance with the oath of office as prescribed in the Constitution. If, as is the case now, their candidate is messing up with the country, the ruling party has a duty to the nation, to act decisively in the interest of the country and its people. It is common cause that, President Zuma is not only a liability to his party and its allies but to the entire nation. He is a monumental embarrassing failure. At the centre of all government related scandals that are daily reported, is the President. In some instances they involve his family and friends. All these are at the expense of our country. If the ruling party is to be true to its credentials, then it must say, both in words and actions, the country comes first and therefore no internal politics should supersede the national interests. The current war between the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Finance Minister in which once again the President is at the centre, is taking the country to the dustbin of history. Parliament should be seized with this matter and it should seek clarity from the Constitutional Court, as to whether the Hawks and SARS are acting procedurally, and consistent with their legal powers. Once such is determined, then all the necessary processes must be allowed to unfold without any political interference. The state and its institutions must never be used to fight and settle internal party politics and the rule of law must always prevail. I thank you
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29 Feb, 2016
The impact of SA’s drought on the agricultural economy
Address by Mr ML Filtane, MP in Parliament Honourable Speaker and members Although agricultural sector’s relative contribution to the gross domestic product of the country is small and still declining, it nevertheless plays an important role in the creation of wealth and safety nets in South Africa, specifically in the rural areas. Drought has severely affected the country’s agricultural productivity capacity and thus affecting negatively our Gross Domestic Product. It affects both crop and livestock farming devastatingly. The loss of maize exports and the move to import more, results in the widening of the trade deficit. Agriculture export made up about 11 percent of South Africa’s total annual exports, surely this year, 2016, agricultural export revenue is likely to drop. One sector within the agricultural economy that is normally forgotten when considering the effects of drought, is the emerging, small and informal agricultural sector. As a result of this omission, when drought relief programmes are planned and implemented, this group of farmers is left outside. Mandla Nkomo, Operations Director at TechnoServe, which assists emerging farmers, had this to say: the drought’s impact on its clients was devastating. This is so because amongst others, these farmers depend on regulated irrigation and in times like these, water allocation is controlled and cut back. Many of the emerging farmers have been hard hit such that they had to write off their entire crop. The emerging and informal farmers, are also vulnerable because they have no insurance, savings or anything like that, so during drought, they take the knock full on with no resources to reboot themselves. In this regard, a combination of interventions has to be pulled together in assisting the emerging and informal farmers. They are very important in providing basic food security, fighting poverty and we need to make graduate into commercial farmers. Amongst others, UDM propose the following, to be done to mitigate devastating effects of drought in particular on emerging and informal farmers: Agricultural training including planning for drought as well as using the indigenous methods of responding to drought. Government and the industry should move away from reactive methods towards more proactive approach towards drought and other natural disasters. Capacitation of emerging and informal farmers so that they can grow into commercial farmers and consistently contribute to economic growth and employment creation in a sustainable and bigger scale. Whilst these farmers are unable to afford the insurance rates, government should consider subsidising them. Further, government should educate these farmers on how they should develop drought plans and the drought mitigation and coping strategies. Once they have these tools in place, the insurance premiums will be affordable and government can pull-out his subsidy. All of this must be accompanied by a realistic, reasonable and requisite rural infrastructure development programme to support rural development. Thank you
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24 Feb, 2016
Consideration of report of PC on Public Works on Expropriation Bill – Address by Mr ML Filtane, MP in Parliament
Honourable Speaker and members Chapter 2, section 9 and subsection 3 of the Constitution provides, “The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race…”. Most relevant to the debate this afternoon is section 25 of the constitution. Subsection 7 provides, “A person or community dispossessed of property after 19 June 1913 as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices is entitled, to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to restitution of that property or to equitable redress”. I may as well, and of importance, refer to subsection 8 which provides, “No provision of this section may impede the state from taking legislative and other measures to achieve land, water and related reforms, in order to redress the results of past racial discrimination, provided that any departure from provisions of this section is in accordance with the provisions of section 36(1)”. The balance of the bill currently debated, seems to lean more towards the provisions of section 25 (7) to an extent that it may, by default, border on not satisfying the provisions of section 9 (3) read together with section 25 (8). This being the case, we argue that the bill requires to be balanced such that it does not exclude such people whose property was dispossessed before the set date. This may be contrary to the provisions of section 9 (2). In any event, as it may be, a substantial amount of property was dispossessed before 19th of June 1913 and the bill will exclude such. . It should be remembered though, that the dispossession of properly was already moving towards the 3rd century of its existence. Many wars of resistance were fought to resist this cruelty. It is our submission that for our eye to be able to serve justice and achieve the objectives of this bill, it must be stretched to the point of beginning. By accepting the bill as it is, government would unintentionally and unavoidably exclude all ownership of unregistered rights prior 1913 and also permanently protect the registered ownership rights prior 1913 from this bill. One would never be able to expropriate the latter properties. This consequence is diametrically opposed to the very purpose of this bill, which is to address land reform needs and speed socio-economic transformation. The second important matter, is that there has been no report confirming the state’s financial viability to be able to buy out the intended expropriates, in accordance with Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). One only needs to look at the extremely slow pace of current Land Restitution process under the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. So passing the bill will be tantamount to an exercise in futility. Thirdly, whereas the state would have authority to immediately take possession of property in the case of Urgent Expropriation, on the other hand, an expropriatee under normal circumstances, who may have an urgent need to vacate the property, and thus avoid further maintenance expenses, has to give the state a notice of no less than 20 days to vacate the property. This treatment of an expropriatee is out of balance with that of government faced with similar circumstances. This is a form of unjust treatment by government. Our Bill of Rights is against this imbalance. Accordingly, the UDM does not support the Bill in its current form and suggests that it be reconsidered to, take care of the issues raised above. In fact, the issue of land should be high in the agenda of the Economic Transformation Indaba we proposed during the debate on SONA. Thank you
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18 Feb, 2016
SONA Debate: UDM comments on the reply by the President
The United Democratic Movement welcomes the comment made by the President in response to our call for an All-Inclusive National Economic Transformation Indaba. Notwithstanding his fears, we remain convinced that South Africans from all political and socio-economic persuasions are prepared to do everything possible for the growth and development of our economy. As South Africans did with the political transition, decided to embrace each other irrespective of different ideological positions and a painful experience, surely there is a possibility that they can find each other on the economic ground. The fact that captains of industry are not only prepared but ready to engage with labour movements, all parties confirmed the need for something drastic to be done in the economic front, should be a positive indicator. In any event, South Africa has been able to find each other on the National Development Plan. Indeed and as we have proposed, the process towards the Indaba should be preceded by a National Summit which shall agree on the national framework that will guide the Indaba and reduce areas of disagreement. Such will address his fears. However, the fact the President elected not to consider the following, has appalled UDM. 1. Whilst the President has re-iterated government’s commitment to fight corruption, we thought that he would specifically provide leadership on the questionable transactions taking place in the Public Investment Corporation, where pension monies of the poor working people are flowing into the back pockets of the cronies of the ruling elite. These include the deals done to benefit amongst others, the consortiums called Kilimanjaro Sakhumnotho and a not-for-profit organisations, “Global Fund for Christ”. These include provided funds of many of the ex-mine workers who have been marching between the Union Buildings and Parliament with no answer. 2. This also includes the crisis in the Construction Education and Training Authority, where corruption whistle blowers are reported to SACP leaders for reprimand. The levies paid by poor workers are being abused just under the nose of the Minister of Higher Education and Training who is an SACP chief. 3. The abuse of public funds through the so-called ‘War on Leaks Project’ launched by the President in Port Elizabeth, where only those young people associated with the ruling party gets jobs. Effectively, this projects funds campaign activities of the ruling party’s volunteers. We thought that the President would condemn the usage of public money by government leaders of the ruling party assisted by government officials. We also thought that the President would take the nation into his confidence and explain why after such painful experience the country has gone through due to his actions, he remains in office. This is so important given the fact that some of these actions have compromised the national legislature and members of the cabinet. In this regard, UDM shall continue to make a call for the revolutionary consciousness of Mr Zuma to prevail and for him to vacate the Office of the President with dignity. Statement issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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17 Feb, 2016
SONA Debate: contribution by Mr Lennox Gaehler, MP in the Joint Sitting of Parliament
Honourable Speaker, President and Honourable Members The drought that has visited our land has affected big, small, formal and informal farming sector, depending on their proximity to a scarce source of water. In this regard, United Democratic Movement suggests that, drought relief interventions, whether at a planning or implementation stage, should deliberately target the small and informal farmers too, as their contribution in providing food security and fight poverty, is relevant and significant. Honourable Speaker the infrastructure needs of a country present themselves as an opportunity and threat, while we want to position our country as an investment destination but the dire need for infrastructure remains a repelling effect. We are happy that transport infrastructure was identified as a catalyst for economic growth, but the sad reality is that this has just become an academic exercise, because if you go to the Eastern Cape, for instance, and ask for a transport infrastructure master plan, you shall find none. In addition, the socio – economic infrastructure of the rural areas does not keep up to standard, to respond to the ever increasing demands. The current interventions are insufficient as they tend to benefit urban areas. In this way, a better rural livelihood will be difficult to realise. In this regard, the UDM suggests that a realistic, reasonable and requisite Rural Infrastructure Development Grant be created. Such a grant will first help to address the rural infrastructure backlogs and unlock the great potential located in the rural areas. Masigxinisise kuphuhliso lwasemakhaya ingakumbi kwimicimbi yendlela, umbane, amanzi acocekileyo, nezonxibelelwano. Madam Speaker, as the campaign for the Local Government Elections has started, we call for an end to the blandishments of basic services to sway votes in favour of the ruling party. Already, we have witnessed government activities, being turned into party rallies, at the expense of other citizens. In these government activities, party members and officials in full regalia of their party intimidate other members of the public and openly campaign on a government platform. Food parcels and Expanded Public Work jobs, like the ‘War on Leaks Project’, in Port Elizabeth, are already campaign instruments. Such abuse of a public office is a breach of oath, a neglect of citizens and it undermines the Constitutional rights of the people in particular the indigent. Makuyekwe ukusetyenziswa kwe-mali zabahlali xa kukhankaselwa iivoti. Wonke ummi weli lizwe unelungelo loku thatha inxhaxheba kuphuhliso lwelizwe noku-xhamla kuwo onke amathuba emisebenzi yase kuhlaleni. Thank you
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06 Feb, 2016
2016 SONA debate: contribution by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
ADDRESS BY Mr BH Holomisa MP IN PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Hon Speaker, Hon President and Members The South African economic situation demands that we adopt an approach that is all inclusive and pragmatic. One of the credits to our country is our ability to resolve challenges through dialogue. Perhaps in resolving the current economic crisis, we need to borrow from our recent past. CODESA delivered political liberation with more still to be done on economic front so that we can have a binding consensus on the macro-economic policy of the country. In this regard, the United Democratic Movement suggests: • That an all-inclusive National Summit be convened to develop and adopt a framework to guide all role players towards a National Economic Transformation Indaba whose resolutions will result to a progressive amendment in the current legislative regime. The proposed Economic Indaba must emerge with a comprehensive blue print of a road to be traversed by the country in dealing with such matters as land, education and skills development, black economic empowerment. Madam Speaker – the security of the worker’s pension needs immediate attention. Given that the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) seems to be a sources of questionable deals for cronies of the ruling elite through amongst others, consortiums like Kilimanjaro Sakhumnotho and some not-for-profit organisations like the “Global Fund for Christ”. In this regard, UDM suggest to all contributors to the Pension and Provident funds, to consider establishing an Independent National Pension Fund Forum, to amongst others: • Monitor investments, auditing and usage of their monies by the Public Investment Corporation and other Financial Institutions. We further propose that a task team led by a retired Judge be established in order to: • Investigate all complaints from ex-mine workers who have been marching to Parliament and Union Buildings, demanding information on their provident funds, allegedly not paid either by the state and or their employers. Madam Speaker, a widely publicised offer by the President to bring finality to the Nkandla saga in the interest of national unity is noted. There is no doubt in any body’s mind that the Nkandla saga has affected many individuals and institutions adversely due to his handling manner against many advices. As we speak, this has affected the trust and confidence of many Public Representatives in this house, who felt abused during this process. In this regard, we appeal to his revolutionary consciousness as a patriot with unquestionable struggle credentials, to place the interests and unity of the nation first and vacate the office with dignity. Further and to avoid another embarrassing sitting President, scoring own goals, the house must demand the long-time promised Ministerial Handbook for scrutiny. South Africans, whilst SONA was very lean on corruption, billions that were supposed to help improve our social ills in this country is being looted left and right. A new phenomenon has emerged through SETAs which are used to divert skills development funds to bottom-less private pockets. Employees who are suspected of blowing the whistle, on alleged corruption against the CEO of the Construction SETA, are either expelled and or suspended in droves. To make things worse, some of these employees were paraded and humiliated when they were taken by the CEO and Chairperson of the Board to an outsider, the Provincial Secretary of the SACP in KZN. The victimised employees have appealed to the Presidency without success. Surely, South Africans, we cannot allow SETAs and the Department of Higher Education and Training to be an SACP employment bureau and a funding vendor. I thank you
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28 Jan, 2016
KSD ready for 2016 Local Government Elections
Statement issued by UDM KSD Electoral Task Team The UDM in the KSD is ready for the 2016 Local Government Elections. Guided by our national manifesto, which was adopted and launched in our 5th National Congress held in December 2015; we are finalising our localised KSD version of the manifesto. In our local manifesto, we will focus on Good Governance. In this regard, the rule of law shall be a system on which proper local governance will be based and guard against the abuse of power and allow innovations and the economy to flourish. Corruption as one of the main contributors to unemployment, poverty, inequality and poor services and has characterised the KSD municipality. This must be ended. We shall focus on how to provide effective local governance, appropriate personnel employment, proper planning, proper utilisation of resources and performance management. We shall also focus on making KSD on the key economic growth areas in the province, so that it becomes one of the fastest growing economies in the Eastern Cape and South Africa. In this regard, our manifesto will spell-out our plans to: • Invest more on infrastructure development, improving and maintaining good main and access roads, ensure water and electricity infrastructure is improved and maintained. • Create opportunities for quality jobs. We will develop and implement programmes with high labour absorption and retention levels with skills transfer. • Preserve environment as a source of energy and better living condition. • Work with communities to take advantage of land for quality crop and stock farming. • Work together with Institutions of Traditional Leaders, in support of their historic and rightful role in local and rural development. • Work with all Civil Society Organisation, including but not limited, Religious Communities and the Communities at large to ensure wide and meaningful participation of all on matters of their daily lives. We shall work towards making KSD, once again a thriving municipality full of opportunities. In the next few weeks, in consultation with communities in general, we will be finalising our Ward and PR candidates’ lists. All of this work shall be completed before the 5th of March 2016. This will enable us to mobilise all eligible voters, to go out and register on the first open registration weekend. We will be in contact with voters on daily bases, visiting them in their homes and all other places where they are, to persuade them to vote for UDM and mandate it to govern together with them. We call on all our members, supporters and the people of KSD Municipality to double their efforts in ensuring they take it to themselves, to bring better governance of their municipality. We are certain that if we take bold steps, we can save this municipality from collapsing. Once again, we are not only ready to campaign but to govern this municipality with the people for the people. End
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12 Dec, 2015
Address by Bantu Holomisa, MP delivered at UDM 5th National Congress In Bloemfontein
Honoured guests, members, viewers at home, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to stand in front of you today, on behalf of the National Leadership, to report to back to you on our performance over the past five years. Chairperson, You will recall that the UDM was established at a time when the climate was not conducive to the formation of opposition parties in South Africa. As a result, we lost many comrades, such as our first Secretary General, Sifiso Nkabinde and others, through assassinations during this period. We should give ourselves a big round of applause for remaining dedicated and steadfast in the project of building a strong UDM that is a Political Home for All against overwhelming odds. We have also lost many comrades since the 2010 Congress. Included in this list, is our late Deputy President, Professor Ntopile Kganyago, among others. Fellow South Africans, We also gather here today just over two years since our struggle icon, Tata Nelson Mandela passed away. When the struggle against injustice required leaders to stand up against overwhelming odds, Madiba was at the forefront. For me, and indeed for most of us, Madiba was a beacon of hope. That history is known to all. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to request that we all stand and observe a moment of silence in honour of all these great men and women. May their Souls Rest in eternal Peace! Chairperson, We meet here today on the occasion of the UDM 5th National Congress since the UDM’s inception and after we have just celebrated 18 years of our existence. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all party structures, in particular the outgoing executive for their sterling contribution in building the UDM over the past five years. The incoming executive will have the responsibility to take thins movement, which includes the reviewing of UDM policies. I also wish to thank our staff members both at National Office and provincial levels for their professional help and support. I am pleased to inform you that in line with our Constitution, we have held our elective congresses after every five years. This means we have never failed in our commitment to make democracy work within our own organisation. This meeting of the highest decision making body of our organisation provides us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the road we have travelled. We should therefore spend the next two days doing some serious introspection and developing a clear programme of action on how to take the party forward, as proposed in our 2021 Ascendancy Profile. There are clear indications on the ground that the party is growing, as we regularly welcome new people to the party. We should go out of our way to make new members feel at home and make use of their skills and expertise in party building. The Ascendancy Profile proposes strategies on how to market ourselves and the best ways of reviving and strengthening our associate structures, such as Women, the Youth and Students. To achieve the goals and objectives of this Plan, we will need strong leadership and discipline at all levels. To facilitate deliberations on the state of the organisation, state of the nation and our manifesto for the Local Government Elections, we have included all these documents in your packs. You will recall that this Congress adopted these documents yesterday. Our Congress theme is: SAVE SOUTH AFRICA: Live the dream. We chose this theme because of the overwhelming evidence that in the ruling party government “things are falling part, and the centre cannot hold.” Economic mismanagement, corruption, crime, lawlessness and arrogance of power are the order of the day. With this theme, we are therefore saying the power to save South Africa from the ruling party’s misrule and to change the status quo is in your hands. Fellow South Africans, Yesterday marked the end of the campaign on 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. We are proud of the contribution our members have made during this campaign in helping to build communities that are safe for our women and children. We wish to reconfirm our solidarity and commitment to the elimination of violence against women and children. Colleagues, There is a phrase that has become a mantra of the ruling party: “legacy of Apartheid”. There is nobody among the thousands gathered here today, or the many more viewers at home, that cannot easily identify the scars that Apartheid has left upon our country. But when did Apartheid become a valid excuse for the failures of the current government? Surely we do not need to accept mediocrity, incompetence and corruption, simply because it is inflicted by a democratic government instead of a repressive regime. I fact, quite the opposite; we should be striving for the highest standards. We should have a government that reaches for the ideals embodied in the Constitution. Instead, we find ourselves having to cope with the ANC’s misrule, which undermines the dream of building a better life for all. Literally thousands of public protests occur every year across the country. The vast majority of these are by communities frustrated by 20 years of broken promises over basic services like water and sanitation. It is clear that more and more people are becoming disillusioned with the ruling party’s misrule. When the Youth march into the grounds of Parliament, and protest in their tens of thousands at the Union Buildings demanding free education, it is clear what they think of this government’s failures. From where we are sitting, it is clear that the ruling party lacks the political will to implement its 1994 election promise of free education. Instead, they use every means possible to brutally suppress protests by sending in the police. To make matters worse, the ruling party government prioritises elite projects such as e-tolls and trillion Rand nuclear deals over the needs of the people. This means that the already overburdened taxpayer is being asked to foot the bill for unnecessary and wasteful projects, which are laced with corruption. To say that we, as a nation, deserve better, is an understatement of the century. We need a growing economy that creates jobs in order to end poverty and restore human dignity. And yet, we are saddled with economic policy that does exactly the opposite. Our economy needs to be stimulated and nurtured, with the state playing a decisive role in order to address past imbalances and backlogs. This can be done by investing in small business development, among other things. It is important to remember that no meaningful empowerment of the people can occur without first addressing the lack of access to land for the majority citizens as well as the lack of access to capital. It is for this reason that the UDM believes that South Africa needs to convene an Economic Indaba to develop a blue print for our country’s economy. This Indaba must be similar in scale and scope to the CODESA negotiations, which resolved the basic political direction of our country. Like CODESA, it must include all the stakeholders in society, so that we can loosen the stranglehold of the ruling elite and their dubious consultants. We can no longer trust the ruling party with the running of our economy. For proof, one needs to look no further than President Zuma’s reckless and irresponsible decision to remove Minister Nene and the impact that decision has had on our economy. The danger posed to society by climate change worsens the bleak picture I have sketched above. For instance, today we are facing the worst drought in this country. While this is the state of the nation in brief, we must attend to the ways in which each of us can help to turn this situation around. We are gathered here on the eve of the local government elections. At this Congress we are also launching the UDM election manifesto under the theme: “Put Community First.” However, let me hasten to add that this manifesto serves as a guide. From here, you need to go to your localities and develop manifestos that speak to the challenges facing your communities. For us this represents one of the ways in which we can unite and steer our country back in the right direction. The forthcoming election is our opportunity to demonstrate on a local level that there are solutions to the challenges that face us. United in our desire to create better villages, towns and cities, we can light the way and show which policies should be applied nationally. We have it within our power to effect changes that will result in genuine improvements in the lives of all South Africans. There is one thing that we can all agree on: change is necessary! In this election you are not simply choosing between one political party and another. You can choose another five years of the same old discredited policies and poor service delivery, or you can choose change for the better. Some will claim much has been done in the past 20 years. But we look at reality and know that many of these accomplishments are overstated. For instance, when the ANC government claims to have built more houses, they should admit that more people have badly-built houses. And when the ANC government claims to have provided more services, they should admit that more people are receiving bad and unreliable services. When they claim to have built more infrastructure like roads, they should admit that it is mostly just more tolls and more potholes. To add insult to injury elite projects, like the E-tolls, funnel our taxpayers’ money out of the country. We should be reaching for the highest goals to give expression to the spirit of the Constitution. We must aim to build a country that unleashes its vast potential where each person irrespective of race, gender, class or geography has the opportunity and indeed, the calling! to contribute to a thriving prosperous nation. To build a nation like no other. This local government election is our chance to show that it can be done. Starting in the streets where we live, we can build something greater, something better, to improve the lives of our families and loved ones. As a voter, it is up to you to set a new agenda. You have the power to say what are the real priorities; as opposed to the elite projects such as speed trains, automated tolling, etc. which contribute nothing to your life and only enrich the politically-connected. It is time to PUT COMMUNITY FIRST by prioritising service delivery and removing the politicians and parties standing in the way of that. Once and for all we need to firmly establish the principle that our elected councillors are there to serve the community and not the other way around. All of us pay municipal rates, but in return most of us do not receive the services that are rightfully ours. We have so much work to do, the need is great. But we can do this, we can rise above the current disaster in local government. Let us vote for a party and councillors dedicated to joining hands with their communities. Let us start now, instead of waiting another 5 years. In many municipalities the potholes outnumber the streetlamps. It is up to you, as a voter, to demonstrate your unhappiness with incompetent and corrupt councillors and councils. I give you my personal assurance that if we find any UDM councillors who are failing to deliver, they will be swiftly removed. Other political parties may tolerate corrupt and incompetent councillors, but the UDM does not. I believe that the UDM, and the councillors we are fielding in these elections, provide you with champions for your cause. Our overriding purpose is to serve and PUT COMMUNITY FIRST. The UDM seeks to bring about positive change and improve the quality of life in those wards and municipalities where our councillors are elected. This manifesto introduces you to our thinking on the core principles of how local government should PUT COMMUNITY FIRST. We are eager to meet you, at rallies or within your living rooms, to explain to you, in greater detail, our values and how we intend to serve you in your municipality. Ultimately your UDM councillor is your voice in local government; a person that consults with the community to determine your needs, and then champions your cause in the council. I thank you.
Admin
17 Nov, 2015
Presentation by UDM President at SCSA, Zurich
Presentation by the President of the United Democratic Movement and Member of the South African Parliament, Mr Bantu Holomisa at the SwissCham Southern Africa (SCSA) Chamber of Commerce – Zunfthaus zur Schmiden, Marktgasse, Zurich, 17 November 2015 Programme Director, The Chairman, Mr George Umbricht, Her Excellency the South African Ambassador to Switzerland, Ambassador and Mrs Staehelin Dignified Guests and participants from all corners of society, Ladies and gentlemen 1. Introduction: On South Africa entering the global village after apartheid I wish to thank the former UN Ambassador and his wife Irene, the founder of the Ubuntu Foundation, for inviting me to address you and for facilitating my trip. The topics I was asked to discuss are the role of opposition of South Africa and the economic relationship between China and Europe. I was privileged in 1993 to accompany Mr. Nelson Mandela to the United Nations to convince the world that apartheid was to be a thing of the past and therefore they should start lifting sanctions against the Republic of South Africa (RSA). Our success brought high and reasonable expectations that, amongst others, investment into the South African economy would come in droves. It however had not been as easy as we thought. Instead, some companies like Anglo American and Old Mutual pulled the plug and invested off-shore. Although it made great sense to take advantage of the diverse global economy, in particular under the conditions of globalisation, disinvestment from the South African economy negatively affected our developmental path. Politically this reality had its own challenges; it created the perception that those who invested in our economy during the apartheid years were no longer interested in investing in the new South African democracy. 2. The role and viewpoint of the UDM: “Government must do more” The United Democratic Movement’s (UDM’s) policy thrust is that: “Government must do more”. In order for government to create a conducive environment for economic growth, more has to be done, amongst others, to; • Create more friends with capital for direct investment; • Heavily invest in social capital, in particular, skills and knowledge development through a qualitative education system whilst building a healthy nation; • Invest in sector-based planning and implementation, including the creation of sector-specific banks to provide financial assistance to historically disadvantaged groups and individuals; • Provide more funding to facilitate new entrants into the local and global mainstream of productive economy, targeting those who have been locked outside of economic activism; • Develop a funding model that will make it possible for historically disadvantaged communities to participate in their own socio-economic upward mobility; and • Invest in social and economic infrastructure across the entire country and not only in certain pockets should be an over-arching work of government in creating a conducive environment for investment. In this regard, the UDM makes a clarion call to countries such as our host, Switzerland, and other developed nations – in particular those with diplomatic ties with South Africa – to join the developmental path of the RSA. We need you to provide the necessary capacitation of the would-be captains of industry and to help upgrade our technological capacity so that it is able to compete and cooperate with advanced nations. 3. The UDM on clean governance We have from the UDM’s inception in 1997 upheld the principle and practice of clean governance and we have fought relentlessly against the misuse of the public purse. Our reputation on this score is beyond question. We will continue batting on this wicket until our country is free of the scourge of corruption and, for instance, the elitist projects that do not benefit the downtrodden masses, but are designed to benefit the connected few. We firmly understand that the country and its people comes first and not the other way around. In this regard we shall, as we have always done, advocate for the supremacy of our constitution, the defense of our democracy, the separation of powers, as well as promoting the checks and balances. The UDM will also lobby for electoral reform where more power is placed with the electorate where they directly elect their public representatives. 4. The role of opposition parties in South Africa Programme Director, there seems to be a misconception in the so-called developing world that the role of opposition parties, as the name suggests, is limited to opposing everything and anything an incumbent government proposes. Contrary to this, in emerging democracies like ours, the opposition has played and should continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping policy agendas, conducting civic education and fighting corruption – singly or in alliance with other entities. In South Africa we have a vigilant opposition that works with all other institutions and constitutional bodies established to strengthen democracy. Without this vigilant opposition and the independent media, constitutional institutions like the Public Protector and the independent judicial system, our democracy would have already been weakened or have failed. The opposition has in some instances worked as a collective on specific issues and where they differ, political parties go it alone. Our multi-party democracy plays a fundamental role in ensuring that opposition parties are able to discharge their responsibilities as their existence is secured by the Bill of Rights. It is however a fact that South African opposition parties are undermined and vilified. The ruling elite continue to dig deep into the public purse and use official resources to out-compete opposition parties. They also vulgarise majority rule to mean arrogance and a careless attitude towards the people. Just recently, the State President said his political party comes first, before the country. The opposition must remain vigilant so that the country is not turned into a faction of a political party. Political parties, under these circumstances, become victims of political restrictions designed by the incumbent regime. Nevertheless, and within this context, the role of the opposition is without doubt critical and it serves a very important function. Centrally to the role of opposition is to hold those in government accountable for its commissions or omissions. It must at all times be a watchdog making sure that the government acts within the scope of the law, and pointing out failings such as corruption and nepotism, which undermine freedom and democracy. In the same vein, the opposition should present itself as a viable alternative to the incumbent government or be a government in waiting with all the mechanisms in place to take the reins of power. This cannot be over-stated because, when government lets the voters down, citizens should know that the country is in safe hands. Opposition parties should seek to structure and influence alternative international relations that foster cooperation on matters of common interests, whilst putting the nation’s national interests first. In this regard, South Africa should go back to basics and do away with a one-sided approach to international relations, which allows one side of the global community to dominate economic activities within the country. Our point of departure should be the history of our struggle and conducting an audit of the friends who invested in our democracy. This should lead to redefined partnerships for development. 5. South Africa in the global village Today, the world is dominated by the powerful economy of China. Almost all nations are establishing economic relations with this giant. South Africa, as a member of the global village, has not many options but to join other nations to trade with China, Europe and other countries. Lately, we have seen members of Brics, like India, joining South African markets. In this regard, and consistent with the realities of the day, both Europe and China have a key role to play in building the economies of developing countries, including that of South Africa. Even strong economies like the United States of America are growing trade relations with China. However, it is important that a high quality dialogue between policy makers from China and European Union takes place to overcome their institutional differences and pave the way for fruitful economic cooperation that will benefit other countries. Nations must be able to identify their interests and, based on such, be able to structure socio-economic relations that are mutually beneficial. This will mitigate possibilities of unfair dominance by either side. The global village must bring people of all nations together for a better world. I thank you.
Admin
04 Nov, 2015
Together moving the NCOP forward
ADDRESS BY LB Gaehler EC NCOP MP TOGETHER MOVING THE NCOP FORWARD AS A VANGUARD OF THE INTERESTS OF PROVINCES Hon Chairperson and Honourable Members Indeed there is more to be gained from running a cohesive and well-co-ordinated system for this house to avoid working in silo and harmful completion and costly duplication of efforts across the sphere of government. It is in this house that all spheres of government, at a legislative level, can find a concrete expression of an integrated approach towards people driven and centred development. The integration of development planning and implementation across the three spheres must be the prime are of focus of this house. Such approach will be a ensuring efficient service delivery is achieve through good working relationship between all role partners. In order to improve our capacity to discharge our work thus making this house, effective as a vanguard of the interests of the people in provinces and in municipalities, we need amongst others, to: • Improve our planning and coordination of the work of this house through a well-designed and managed programming process; • Structure our agenda in a manner that does not take long but secure and sustain qualitative and productive debates; It is a matter of nature and fact, that a human body gets a level of exhaustion after a certain time of concentration; • Spread our work evenly and where possible equal through-out the months of our work. Currently we turn to load the third and fourth term of parliament with heavy loads of work, resulting to unnecessary pressure that my compromise the ability to do quality work; • We need to devise legal mechanisms and methods of ensuring that the oversight reports we send to government departments, provincial and local governments, are attended to and reports on actions taken thereto, are presented to the house in time; • It cannot be an outing followed by a talk show and ends there, because we will be failing the constitutional purpose of this house; and • Reports and views of this house on various audit reports should be acted on by departments, provinces and municipalities, and reports on what has been done be brought back to this house. This house, should and can only be able to claim it vanguard role, when the conditions of our people are improving. To be a vanguard must primarily be about, a consistent and practical determination by all spheres of government, to effectively address the historical challenges which condemned the majority of citizens to marginalisation. We must bring back the pride of all South Africans by amongst others, ensuring that the quality of our democracy is that which is fostering and strengthening intergovernmental relations as a necessary ingredient for sustainable development. Our programme content and outlook, must envisage increased oversight work which is guided by inputs from all provinces and municipalities with regard to the needs of all citizens. At all times, ours must be about, for, with and driven by the people with government and other role player as facilitators. Thank you
Admin
04 Nov, 2015
MPs 2nd Global TB Caucus
ADDRESS BY Ms CN Majeke MP in the National Assembly Honourable Speaker and Members Tuberculosis (TB) represents a threat to both the lives and livelihoods of people in the world and no country can fight it alone. It is a global health threat. In this regard, the Global TB Caucus as well as the 2nd summit, is fully supported as an essential step to foment a truly robust and sustainable global response to this global challenge. South Africa has a high burden of disease from tuberculosis with a growing number of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB cases, which is partially due to the inadequate or incomplete treatment. Tuberculosis disproportionately affects the poor and individuals who are already immunocompromised, marginalised, living in rural areas, without adequate access to Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) dispensing health facilities, and the poor with inadequate health infrastructure. Its social impact is enormous due to the prolonged and debilitating nature of the disease, the large incidence of TB cases and the stigma associated with it. Economically, TB, impact includes loss of income among those who are sick, as well as their caretakers, it devastates individuals and their families, and it decrease gross domestic product (GDP). It is the cause as well as a consequence of poverty. In acknowledging and welcoming the department’s National Tuberculosis Management Guidelines, 2014 as well as the TB DOTS Strategy Coordination; the following programmatic areas should be high in the execution of the guidelines and strategy: • The DOTS treatment strategy should be universally implemented and be expanded to cover the most rural areas; • Increase early diagnosis and treatment of TB to limit it spread; • Invest in health infrastructure with well-equipped facilities and proper diagnostic tools; • Strengthen the HIV prevention; Further, the Global Strategy and Targets for Tuberculosis Prevention, Care and Control (The End TB Strategy) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) should be supported, with its emphasis on: • Integrated, patient-centered care and prevention; • Bold policies and supportive systems; and • Intensified research and innovation. Other technical interventions that South Africa should consider include. • Support and create for an enabling environment including social support packages; • Development of a patient-centred care and treatment approach; • Identification and elimination of barriers to accessing TB services by those most at risk; • Engagement of leaders, representatives of key population, and both public and private health providers in encouraging and supporting early and active finding and care to enhance treatment completion. A vision of a South Africa and world free from TB is ambitious yet achievable. Thank you
Admin
27 Oct, 2015
Debate on Higher Education Transformation
Address by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Speaker and Honourable Members, We should all take a leaf out of the students’ book because during their protests they were able to rise above narrow sectarian interests to fight for a common cause, something which is becoming rarer and rarer in our national politics. The second lesson is that, apart from other political dynamics that were at play, the rejection of political parties during the student protests, though strategic on the one hand, pointed to a yawning disconnect between political organisations and voters, on the other. Colleagues, It is clear that we have some soul-searching to do. Coming back to the theme of today’s debate, the United Democratic Movement supports the students call for free education and the reasons are as follows: First, government has room to eliminate wasteful expenditure in its Departments, which runs into billions of Rands annually, and to reallocate the money to tertiary education. Second, government should compel universities to be transparent about their cost structures and to identify opportunities for cost cutting. Furthermore, steps should be taken to ensure that institutions of higher learning are transparent about and accountable for their use of public funds. The Auditor General must audit their books. Third, government should redirect and reallocate some of the money that is sitting with SETAS to higher education to make free education a reality, as these SETAS are increasingly becoming employment agencies for the ruling party and its cronies. Fourth, on transformation, Honourable Minister, ensuring access to higher education is only one side of a complex problem. Government should address issues of racism in the sector, of an alienating institutional culture for the majority of students, concerns about the lack of advancement of black academics and general concerns about the language of tuition. While still on the subject of transformation, Mr Minister, I wish to ask you two questions. The first question is: Of the universities that have been placed under administration, how many of the administrators are black? The second question is: How many black consultants have been used by these administrators over the years? Fifth, we propose that the Task Team that has been established to look into the provision of free university education be opened up to civil society organisations and relevant stakeholders in order to ensure that as many stakeholders as possible contribute to the process. Compatriots, The time for political blame game is over! We must now work together to put forward a comprehensive plan that will ensure that, through free university education, our children are able to escape the vicious cycle of poverty, unemployment and inequality. Thank you.
Admin
23 Oct, 2015
Advancing Infrastructure Investment and Development for better Services to Communities
Hon Chairperson and Members A well targeted, strategic and access to comprehensive set of basic infrastructure services, is essential to attain social and economic goals and ensure equal opportunity for all people to participate in a country’s economy. Although numerous laws and policies intended to improve people’s quality of life and promote economic and social transformation were introduced since the dawn of democracy, such have achieved mixed successes and the people are still experiencing unemployment, poverty and inequality. The negative effects of a crumbling infrastructure are more severe in rural municipalities and communities. This is confirmed by the National Development Plan (NDP) when it diagnosed the differences between urban and rural areas with regard to access to basic infrastructure services, and their quality. Generally, urban areas are well-serviced in terms of electricity, water and sanitation, information and communication, and transport; while their rural counterparts fall significantly short in these respects. Rural infrastructure backlogs are a challenge and they also inhibit economic and social inclusion in rural areas. A proper and deliberate investment into this area, will impact significantly in addressing the triple challenges and would benefit greatly rural areas with regard to addressing poverty and inequality. In this regard, we want to propose that the house adopt a resolution on the creation of a dedicated Rural Infrastructure Development Fund. Its primary purpose is to address the inherent backlogs and bring these communities into par with their urban counterparts to an extent that is practically relevant to the rural socio economic development priorities. The current Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), is limited and favours urban municipalities. Investment into rural infrastructure should inform decisions on how and where to invest towards the most deprived municipalities and citizens. Rural infrastructure funding should include or emphasise a set of investments on rural roads, water supply and sanitation, energy and telecommunications, and agricultural processing. The provision of rural infrastructure is an important agent in the reduction of poverty and exclusion, in the strengthening of social capital, and in providing conditions for improving the provision of services. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, to be created should not only rely on public purse, but, mobilise private sector to contribute with incentives. The advantage of creating a dedicate Rural Infrastructure Development Fund will create an opportunity for more focused rural infrastructure development in a more holistic manner. Finally, Rural Infrastructure Development Funds will be designed to work with communities using a demand – responsive approach. This gives an advantage for integration across sectors while promoting a sense of ownership that contributes to sustainability. Thank you
Admin
10 Sep, 2015
Ongoing scourge of corruption in SA
address Mr ML Filtane MP in the National Assembly Honourable Speaker and members Corruption, poverty eradication, job opportunity creation and closing the gap between the poor and the rich, are permanent enemies who cannot share the same bed. It undermines the people and it renders their freedom unstable and insecure, making it impossible to achievement the kind of society envisaged in the Constitution of the Republic. A quick account on the effects of corruption over the 20 last years of democracy can be summarised as follows: In 1994, the ruling party contested the elections under the slogan: “A better life for all”. This was not about a better life for some, who happened to be in government or well connected to politicians or to the ruling party or for those who use the system to line their pockets. It cannot be a better life for those as Brenda Fassie would say: “Kuyangokuthi ungubani, uphila nobani, udlisa kanjani, ungena kwindawo ezinjani.” It must be a better life to all, because that is what the struggle was all about. After all this is what many went to jail for, exile with some paying the supreme price, death, killed by apartheid agents or hanged. In 1999, we were told: “Together fighting for change”. It can only be presumed that this referred to the need to change the lives of the South Africans for better especially those of women, children, youth, rural and urban people across the length and breadth of the country. Whilst our education and health crumbles, corruption is on the rise. Whilst the fight for the so-called security upgrades in Nkandla is on the high, the rest of the rural communities will leave under the same and sometimes even worse conditions as they were before the dawn of democracy, yet corruption is on the rise. In 2004, the rallying cry was: “A peoples contract to create work and fight poverty”. The recent census report together with an announcement on made as back on 30 March 2011 by the former head of Asset Forfeiture Unit, Adv Willie Hofmeyr that about R30 billion per annum is lost to corruption on state tenders, speaks volumes. Interesting, today, the reports have not changed. We thought this was a people’s contract to fight poverty of the people who live in dire conditions, not through food parcels but through building economy that creates jobs especially for young people and women who are hardest hit by poverty and unemployment in the sea of corruption. In 2009, the sign post read: “Working together we can do more”. More what – Corruption, undermine the Rule of Law, the Constitution, dumping down of health, education and social security? Surely South Africans can’t be part of that togetherness. In 2014, the posts read: “Together we move South Africa Forward”. What is moving forward – is the looting of public resources by the ruling elite in a speedy faster than that of a Tsunami. Corruption has reach a point where the people of South Africa must now stand up and reclaim their freedom from the ruling elite. An element of a constituency based electoral system with Participatory Deliberate Model of Democracy, ensures direct accountability of public representatives to the people. It also creates a Democratic Citizenship. The time to reclaim our freedom is NOW. I thank you.
Admin
10 Sep, 2015
Unemployed graduates
Address by Ms CN Majeke, MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and members According to the 2014 Statistic South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey 4, the unemployment rate amongst men with tertiary qualification ranged from 1.9% to 11% whilst amongst women with the same qualification ranged from 2.5% to 16.1%. Looking at Thembinkosi Phakathi, a 22 year old Public Relations graduate from the Durban University of Technology, standing at the corner of Rivonia Road and Sandton Drive, begging for nothing else but a job, so that amongst others, he can be able to pay back the NSFAS debt. On the other side of the road, the Grayston Drive, stands a 25 year old qualified electrical engineer, Tankiso Motaung, joining in what can be called “Graduate’s Street Marketing”, for no less than eight hours with a placard begging for a job. In the mist of all this painful sight, are daily media reports about many in both the public and private sector, in positions of employment, with either no qualification, or fraudulently claimed qualification. The scourge of Fake Qualifications in the labour market may outnumber the number of qualified graduates looking for employment. There is an urgent need for decisive intervention with drastic actions in defence of the poor unemployed young and old qualifying citizens, the economy of our country and indeed in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services to the people. Amongst others, this needs to be declared a national crisis so that urgent practical and lasting solutions can be found with speed. Lessons on these matters can be drawn from many other similar campaigns we had as a country, like the TRC, Gun Free Society as well as from countries which have dealt with similar situations. We must STOP FAKE QUALIFICATION and CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFIED CITIZENS. Thank you.
Admin
07 Sep, 2015
Fight against the murder of police officers
Addres by Mr LB Gaehler EC NCOP MP in the National Council of Province Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members In the light of the continuing increase on the number of police officers murdered, this year alone, the country needs to consider a number of interventions to respond to this matter of national concern. Amongst others, there is a need to insist that anyone becoming National Police Commissioner must have a certain amount of police operational experience. There are many of those who can be found from within the service. This should be linked with a need to have the National Police Commissioner chosen by a special majority in parliament like it is done when appointing the Inspector – General of Intelligence. There is also need to look at practical ways to make local policing forums more representative of the people with added capacity in order for them to play a more practical role in assisting the work of the police in the safety of all citizens. This challenge of police killings, demands that the leaders of the police double their work in improving the overall management of the use of force by police officers. Simply threatening harsh sanctions against police murderers, and encouraging police to focus on using more force in their interaction with criminal suspects, is unlikely to improve officer safety. It will play into systematic police brutality, which will cause civilians to become fearful and less cooperative with the police. Police leadership needs urgently to start focusing on improving the strategic, management and internal accountability capacity that will support professional policing. Police members need to be prepared to be better able to confront dangerous criminals and defend themselves and citizens using lethal force. They need the necessary skills and confidence to handle the complexities they confront in the daily engagement with the public while enforcing the law against all criminals. There is also an urgent need to improve the public trust in police by amongst others, decrease police corruption and brutality. Communities must be mobilised to start respecting and supporting police officers as public servants who are well trained to behave according to much higher standard than civilians. Professional police officers must be encouraged and be skilled to avoid using force in their interaction with members of the public unless and only when it is necessary. South Africa wants a police force that can be trusted because its leaders are beyond reproach and its members are widely recognised as professional, respectful and accountable to the needs of the communities they serve. UDM says STOP POLICE KILLINGS NOW – A POLICE IS YOUR BROTHER AND SISTER TOO!! Thank you
Admin
18 Aug, 2015
“Does South Africa Need Electoral Reform?” – Daily Dispatch Dialogue
Daily Dispatch Dialogue on – 18 August 2015, Guild Theater, East London at 18h40. TOPIC: “Does South Africa Need Electoral Reform.” By Mr Bantu Holomisa, President of the United Democratic Movement and Member of Parliament. Programme Director, Fellow Panellists and Participants, good evening. Let me from the onset, acknowledge and welcome the great and timely contribution by Mama Bam on one of the most important matter of national interest. Indeed Electoral Systems do play a significant role in the creation of a truly democratic society. Her book, “Democracy, More than Just Elections” not only provides an insight into various dimensions of her wealth of knowledge and wisdom on the workings of democracy – it also re-affirms and reinforce a clarion call that has reverberated our national discourse as far back as 2000. In this regard, we support her well-considered view that, South Africa does need an electoral regime that will encourage greater responsibility and accountability from citizens and political leaders. We hope that her voice, as it adds to others will mobilise citizens and political leader into action. In your book you said, “We all know that cynicism about politicians and their parties exists everywhere in the world, but it is more pronounced where there is no structural connection between politicians and voters. We are now a maturing democracy and should consider changing our electoral system which ushered in our heart-earned democracy. We are more self – confident, self – assured and more responsible for our own lives than to relegate our right to choose the leader of our country to card carrying members of the parties. It is time to review our electoral reform system”. Sisi Hlophe, I could not agree more with your well thought observation. Indeed Section 43 (3) of the South African Constitution states that, “the National Assembly is elected to represent the people to ensure government by the people through the Constitution”. I strongly believe that, 21 years into democracy, the participatory deliberative model of democracy should be central in the enrichment and strengthening of democratic citizenship. Political accountability is at the heart of fully-functioning democracy. The current proportional representation (PR) system means that elected leaders are accountable solely to their party bosses and not to the people who voted them into office. In addition the current practice where political parties impose their choice of president on the nation is profoundly undemocratic. Through the current system, electorate mandates a political party to govern based on its policies and manifesto. However, we have noticed that the ruling party is held at ransom from implementing its mandate because some of their allies who have not been mandated by the electorate seem to have veto powers in particular with regard to Economic Policies. This dilemma makes governance ineffective, compromise confidence of investors, jobs shading, increasing levels of poverty and result to instability. Once such situation exists, opportunistic leaders take advantage and do things that have nothing to do with the electorate’s mandate but their own interests, like the current disputed procurement of nuclear energy and many other questionable transactions such as Arm’s Deal. To make things worse these leaders become intransigent and use these MP’s who have no constituencies as voting cattle to rubber stamp their nefarious objectives. The UDM notes that a great deal of inputs from diverse and often conflicting social, economic, political, linguist and cultural communities as well as interests groups informed the decisions which were made and ultimately culminated in the Constitution we have today that has become an international benchmark. Any discussion on a new electoral system must always remind us where we come from. We should move towards a mixed electoral system that draws from the strengths of both the proportional and constituency based electoral systems. The first major step we need to take is the introduction of constituencies into the PR system to ensure that politicians have a specific geographically-defined community they represent. We also need to change the electoral laws to allow for a separately elected President, as is the case in many democracies across the globe in that way we will put the power back in the hands of the voters. However, it is important that any electoral reform process culminates in as widely inclusive manner as possible. We would do well to follow the example of many countries such as New Zealand, Ireland etc, who confirmed electoral reforms by holding referendums. In this way, every voter is consulted directly. The current electoral system risks the checks and balances that are a necessity in ensuring that the Constitutional dictates are adhered to at all material times. The research conducted by Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE) and release in April 2014, has made serious findings that may question the legitimacy of the election processes. Amongst others, it has found that the electorate is a subject of political intimidation through, amongst others: · Manipulation of people using misinformation and threats regarding pensions and grants; · Interfering with access to meeting facilities; · The disruption of meetings; · Assaults and threats of physical harm; and · Punishing people who associate with rival political parties through the denial of jobs, contracts, services and development opportunities. In addition, the research report concludes that, voters and electoral processes are manipulated and opposition parties are undermined through: · Fraudulent voter registration; and · The targeted use of government resources to promote parties immediately prior to elections. When last for instance did you see trucks distributing food parcels to the needy, but come elections next year you will see them often, to hood-wink the voters. The other body that causes a lot of confusion is the Demarcation Board whose mandate to draw boundaries is always done to favour the ruling party. Citizens in the meantime are also demobilised into non active and disorganised individuals, whose collective voices are only heard when they take to the streets to demand service. There is no deliberate direct involvement of the people in running their own affairs, taking charge of their own lives and freedom, with government and other development agencies as facilitators. To make things worse, some civil society organs like, unions who were supposed to be at the centre of mobilising communities into activism, are core governing with the ruling elite. During elections, some of their members become part of the IEC machinery. If you take a case of a POPCRU member who is supposed to intervene in the disruption of a political party’s elections meeting; where the ruling party is involved, such a member would certainly be compromised from discharging his or her Constitutional obligation without fair or favour. His or her ascendance to the next higher position at work, is intrinsically depended on the deployment committee of the ruling party. No member of a Cosatu affiliated union will be able to carry-out his or her work fairly and without bias and yet some of the SADTU members are presiding over voting stations and take serious decisions that influences the outcome of any election. Ballot boxes are transported from one point to the other; either by the members of POPCRU and or the Intelligence officers whose loyalty is not in doubt. The South African Electoral Commission is chosen by the ruling party using its majority in Parliament, the recent appointment is a case in point, where all other parties objected but the ruling party forced it through our throats at the expense of reasoning. These appointments cascade down to Municipal Electoral Officers (MEO) who in many if not all instances are; a municipal senior officials whose appointments to those municipalities are determined by party bosses through deployment policy. As if these and other are not enough, the companies contracted to capture IEC data are secrete, not only to the electorate but also to the political parties who participate in the elections. Whilst electoral systems in themselves do not secure deliberative participation and direct accountability to citizens, putting a face to a representation, and placing political accountability to communities through the election of identifiable individuals who are accessible between elections, would benefit South African democracy. Finally, these reforms should go beyond the system itself, but such other matters as the party-political funding and the rules and regulations needed to ensure sound, ethical party fund-raising. I thank you.
