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16 May, 2025
Statement by Bantu Holomisa on President Ramaphosa’s visit to the United States
Statement by Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares for an important diplomatic engagement with the leadership of the United States, we take this opportunity to reflect on the recent tensions that have emerged between our two nations. These tensions have largely been attributed to unsubstantiated allegations of genocide and land being taken without compensation, among others, against certain communities within South Africa. I remember it as though it was just yesterday when I accompanied President Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki to the United States in October 1993, where President Mandela made a powerful appeal to the international community during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, calling for the lifting of sanctions against South Africa. That call was heeded by the global community, opening the door for South Africa’s reintegration into the global economy. Today, countries like China and the United States stand as South Africa’s largest trading partners. This economic relationship was significantly facilitated by the work of the Binational Commission, which enabled many companies and institutions to strengthen trade and cooperation between the two nations. To ensure a credible and forward-looking path, we call for the resumption of a Binational Commission on the same scale and structure as the historic Al Gore/Thabo Mbeki Binational Commission. This mechanism played a significant role in enhancing mutual trust, policy alignment and coordinated development efforts. A renewed Binational Commission can serve as a meaningful platform to address the current misunderstandings and to create space for practical cooperation. It is in the interest of both countries, and indeed the international community, that these concerns be approached in a constructive and solution-oriented manner. This meeting should not become an arena for blame or division. Rather, it should serve as a platform for shared understanding and cooperative action. Such a commission should include dedicated sub-committees on the Economy, Security, Education and Environment, where both governments can regularly engage on key strategic priorities. This structure would also allow for in-depth discussions on areas of concern and opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that all sectors of society benefit from the outcomes. Importantly, the work of this commission should not occur in isolation. Both Parliaments must be kept informed of its progress, ensuring transparency, accountability and alignment with national interests. Parliamentary oversight will also help institutionalise the work of the commission beyond political cycles. In addition to this, the departments responsible for trade and economic development, namely the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the United States Department of Commerce, should work closely to identify high-potential sectors and unlock investment opportunities in areas such as energy, agriculture, technology and manufacturing. We must remain conscious that unresolved tensions and negative narratives, if left unaddressed, can erode investor confidence and economic stability. It is therefore essential that diplomacy, cooperation and mutual respect guide our engagements. The weather predictions are promising, setting the stage for what is expected to be a remarkable day on the course. We trust that these two esteemed golfers, each distinguished in their own right and united by a deep love for the sport, will tee off with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. As they take their first swings, the world watches with keen anticipation, hoping not only for a day of excellent golf, but also for a celebration of talent, passion, and the enduring spirit of the game as well as mutual national interests. Once again, this reminds me of the day when President Mandela, President Thabo Mbeki, Mr Mahlangu of KwaNdebele and I travelled to the United Nations Security Council to make a compelling case for the endorsement of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union, to send monitors to observe and help manage the escalating violence in South Africa. In his characteristic foresight and diplomacy, President Mandela engaged then-President George HW Bush even before the meeting to secure the support of the United States. That request was accepted, and as a result, the lives of many black South Africans were saved through timely intervention. These moments in history remind us of the enduring importance of leadership, partnership, and unity of purpose. This visit carries with it that same spirit of global engagement, shared values, and a collective hope for a more just and peaceful future.
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24 Jul, 2020
UDEMWO welcomes the President’s intervention on schools
After numerous calls and press statements from various organisations, including the United Democratic Movement (UDEMWO), as well as frustrations from parents, sundry teachers’ unions and those who care for the younger generation and the nation at large, the President of South Africa finally took the brave and courageous decision to close schools for some time. UDEMWO welcomes President Ramaphosa’s intervention to close schools for four weeks, Looking from a climatological view, as the country, we will be seeing the back-side of the winter season so the young pupils being Grade R will go back to classroom when it is a little warmer. The Department of Basic Education should use this time to clean up schools, procure the required personal protective equipment (PPE) and monitor the infections, death and recoveries, no blanket opening of schools, our children are not weapons to fight coronavirus, they must be protected at all cost. UDEMWO also accepts the extension of the current academic year into 2021, should the community transmission of Covid-19 continue to increase, the nation must be prepared to sacrifice this school year. Our schools, students and teachers need all the support and compassion during this time. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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22 Apr, 2020
UDM’s reaction to Ramaphosa’s economic stimulus package
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the announcements President Cyril Ramaphosa made on government’s plans to temper the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on South African’s lives and stimulate the economy. With this R500 billion stimulus package the government is falling in step with governments around the world, which have embarked on massive fiscal stimulus packages and expansionary monetary policies to counter the negative impact of the Coronavirus on their economies. This is directly in line with the UDM’s long-standing policy that: “Government Must Do More” and get back to the original agenda of addressing the backlogs and imbalances of the past and high levels of inequality in South Africa. We are pleased that SMMEs and the informal sector have been targeted for assistance and growth, and that mention was made of salary and job protection, as well as extended social grants. As is the case in America with the Federal Reserve Bank, we are of the view that the South African Reserve Bank has a critical role to play in providing a pay-cheque protection liquidity facility, and other facilities, to commercial banks so that they can provide loans to small businesses to maintain their payroll during this difficult time. Banks would then provide monthly updates to the Reserve Bank about the number and value of the facilities extended for this purpose. We are of the view that the South African Reserve Bank should introduce similar facilities to commercial banks in order for them to use these facilities for targeted sectors of the economy, as part of the Reserve Bank’s broader “Coronavirus Pandemic Response Programme”. We also believe that there is scope for the central bank to further reduce the interest rate as a way to stimulate the economy. Furthermore, the jobless benefit should also cover freelancers and those who work in the informal sector. In particular, the UDM feels that Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) pay-outs should be handled on a sectoral level and that employers should apply for these pay-outs on behalf of individual employees rather than individual applications clogging up the system. There should also be a three-month moratorium on bond, car and other loan payments, as these are still left to the discretion of commercial banks which are sometimes reluctant to give loan recipients a breather because they use payment profiles and credit records to make their decisions. In the same vein to the UIF scenario, it would make more sense to do this to avoid clogs in the system and people standing in endless queues outside banks in contravention of the stay-at-home regulations and putting themselves in danger of contracting the Coronavirus. A stay on bank account closures and bank fees, due to bad bank account conduct and returned debit orders, is needed. We also think that life insurers should be brought on board to create breathing space for policy holders, by allowing a three-month payment holiday. Once all these relief measures are put in place, and in view of the fact that taxpayers who donate to the Solidarity Fund will be able to claim up to an additional ten percent as a deduction from their taxable income, South Africans will be in a position to contribute to the Solidarity Fund. A call should also be made to all sectors of society, celebrities and private businesses and other arms of the state which have not made a public declaration on contributions, to lead by example, and contribute to the Solidarity Fund. Government must also immediately settle the R7 billion debt owed to its small and medium enterprise service providers, which, beside it being the right thing to do, will serve as a lifeline and important stimulus package for SMMEs. Localisation of our economy is paramount. In light of the Coronavirus crisis we should ensure that during this time all protective equipment is produced and sourced locally. This could be a magnificent project to create jobs in the informal sector and in rural areas, for women in particular. This strategy should be continued post-Coronavirus and our manufacturing industry should be brought up to scratch so that South Africa is less dependent on imported goods and we should not be a dumping ground for other countries. In principle, we support the economic stimulus package as it is good on paper and it is in line with our social democratic values of equality and solidarity as the plan seeks to ensure that our country’s resources are arranged to the greatest benefit of the most vulnerable and the poorest of the poor. The UDM, however, strongly believes that if government had recouped the R500 billion stolen during state capture, South Africa would not have had to stand in the queue for loans from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, BRICS New Development Bank and the African Development Bank. In addition, we are sceptical of government’s political will and ability to manage South Africa’s finances under the current circumstances. The reason being that, given for instance state capture, it does not have a proven track-record and also, given the extraordinary circumstances created by the Coronavirus pandemic, there are not sufficient checks and balances in place to monitor government’s income and spending. Just now we will need a Coronavirus Commission of Inquiry, post the crisis, which we cannot afford. Time will tell. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
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22 Nov, 2018
President Ramaphosa’s “cabinet changes” is a damp squib
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard is of the view that President Ramaphosa’s new dawn is a copy and paste of the old order and thus have abandoned the youth of South Africa with his so-called cabinet change. He has showed the country a lack of conviction by retaining figures such as Nomvula Mokonyane who has shown her incapability as communications minister with the disastrous handling of the public broadcaster. Mokonyane’s shift to environmental affairs, after failing in her previous department, was a move without consideration on the part of the president. We, as the youth of South Africa, should not be surprised if we run out of oxygen under her bungling leadership. Former president Jacob Zuma once said that the ANC is more important than the country and we fear that President Ramaphosa is doing the same. We call on the president to imbibe decisive leadership and lead with the interest of the country first and not that of his party. We as the UDM Youth Vanguard still call on the president to fire minister Bathabile Dlamini from cabinet unless there is some or other cause to keep her in office. The UDM Youth Vanguard does however welcome the merging of the department of communications and postal services under Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. We have seen her in action in her previous portfolio working very hard in bringing ICT to the youth. We wish her all the best and we hope that she will bring stability and offer leadership in this newly merged department with the understanding that it is a very challenging time as the SOEs in this department are faced with many challenges. This move by the president shows that the young people of South Africa cannot trust that the ANC will take us seriously come 2019 and we therefore encourage them to find an alternative and vote for the UDM. Issued by Mr Yongama Zigebe Gauteng Provincial Secretary, UDM Youth Vanguard
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22 Dec, 2017
Let South Africans meet on your land expropriation decision Mr Ramaphosa!
After a plenary debate, so furious as to have threatened the collapse of its conference last Wednesday, the African National Congress (ANC) announced a decision to allow for land expropriation without compensation… subject to a “sustainability test” to ensure that food security is not threatened, and the economy not undermined. Is the new ANC President making populist noise for political positioning? Is he admitting continuing ANC land distribution failure? The decision has been criticised as being an “economic time bomb”; “economic suicide”. It is said that the decision is vague; that financial markets will divest; that investor confidence will be shattered. It is said that there is anger, but also acceptance for a sustainable solution. Only one fact is certain: people are in a panic and at best uncertain of the ANC’s renewed land expropriation drive. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) therefore urges Government to call an immediate summit of all stakeholders, including – but not limited to – political parties, business, agricultural and civil rights role-players, to clarify the intention and the procedure and the effect of the ANC’s land expropriation decision: • What is the exact meaning of “expropriation” in the decision? • Who will be affected? • What is the nature and what the variables of the “sustainability test”? • How does “food security” and “economic stability” impact implementation – does it, for instance, prevent expropriation in specific circumstances, and what would such circumstances be? • How will expropriation affect traditional leaders, and rural communities; how will entities such as the Ingonyama Trust, among others, be impacted? • What will be the effect of expropriation on the land tenure system? The summit, in considering land expropriation, should address also the direct and indirect impact of land decisions on the economy, poverty, unemployment and even on education. Land remains the matter screaming for resolution, ever since Codesa. Land speaks to the very heart of freedom: economic emancipation. A resolution is long overdue; the irresolution negligent; the ongoing uncertainty a dismal and continuing failure by the government. The effect of the ANC’s unilateral decision must be determined by all stakeholders; land expropriation cannot lie with ANC conference delegates alone. The UDM is ready and able to take its seat in addressing South Africa’s most pressing and ill attended problems, nay crises, at a summit indistinguishable in importance to Codesa, where our hitherto qualified freedom had been forged. Mr Ramaphosa, we have heard you at conference; let us now see and experience your inclusive, unifying leadership. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President
