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21 Mar, 2025
Human Rights Day 2025
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament As South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day, on 21 March 2025, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. This day is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for justice, equality, and dignity in our country. The UDM has always stood for a South Africa where human rights are not just words on paper, but a lived reality for all. We remain steadfast in ensuring that every South African enjoys the rights to freedom, dignity, safety, and equal opportunities. The UDM will continue to safeguard democracy and strengthen institutions that protect human rights with our continued fight against corruption, abuse of power, and any attempts to undermine the rule of law. We will continue to fight against poverty, inequality, and unemployment by pushing for policies that promote economic inclusion, land reform, and fair wages. In a country combatting high levels of crime, we will continue our advocacy for stronger action against gender-based violence, crime, and human trafficking and a reform in the justice system as unpacked in our last election manifesto. Access to healthcare, education, water, and housing is a fundamental human right and the UDM remains committed to holding the government accountable for better service delivery. As we mark Human Rights Day, let us honour the past by working towards a better future, i.e. a South Africa where freedom, fairness, and dignity are the cornerstones of our democracy. The UDM will continue to fight for the rights of all South Africans, ensuring that our hard-won democracy benefits every citizen, not just a privileged few.
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15 Nov, 2019
KwaZulu-Natal precarious weather
The United Democratic Movement would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones in the past 3 days, due to the severe and dreich weather in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Party also sympathises with the members of different communities that their properties were destroyed by adverse weather. Some of the havoc that has been witnessed like the over flooding along the N2 near the old International Airport can be blamed to the poor performance and negligence of the Department of Transport or SANRAL and eThekwini Municipality for failing to curb this from happening. This has been a problem from time immemorial whenever there are heavy rains. One does not need to be an engineer to realize that the drainage system that is there is not working The UDM calls on the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu and the KZN Provincial Government to give this matter an urgent attention and do whatever in their power to provide shelter and basic necessities to the communities that are affected by these hazardous weather conditions. All the victims that deserve to be helped must be assisted irrespective of their political affiliations as it has been happening in the past. A special plea is also made to all the motorists to be extra cautious on the roads by not putting their lives and of the passengers on danger, as seen on the videos that are circulating on Social Media. They must not dare the over flooded low bridges. It is dangerous. Lastly, the UDM proposes that the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa to declare State of Emergency to the ravaged districts in the Province. — end — Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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23 Aug, 2019
Old SA flag: the Equality Court missed an opportunity
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with concern the recent ruling by the Equality Court on the matter between The National Mandela Foundation Trust and with Afriforum NPC and others. The UDM is of the view that the relief sought and eventually acceded to by the Deputy Judge President of the High Court was very generous and too broad. The idea of allowing a flag which was used as a symbol of subjugation for the majority of the people of this country to continue to be used for genuine journalistic, academic or artistic purpose is problematic. This might be construed differently by other people, especially those that had the audacity to challenge the relief sought by the applicant in the matter. The issue might arise with regards to the interpretation of these instances, where this flag can perhaps be used, hence the arrogance we saw on Twitter from Afriforum’s leader Ernst Roets tweeting in promoting or popularizing the flag just after the decision had been made by the Equality Court. The UDM is of the firm belief that the flag with all the other symbols or traces of the colonial rule must be banned from the public view. Those that sort to display these symbols of apartheid ought to be punished in terms of the law. Apartheid is now a criminal offence in this country. The flag and other symbols of apartheid belong to the museums. They are to be used for history purposes and generations to come to see where we come from as a nation. The South African society must be strict and firm with democracy the country which was achieved through sacrifice by many and some paid with their own lives. The UDM has a strong view that these symbols of apartheid must not be tolerated as they can bring a negative impact on what has been done or achieved to realise social cohesion in our beloved country. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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21 May, 2019
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
On this day, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we are reminded of how we should respect one another’s constitutional rights and, specifically, each South African’s right to cultural expression. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that cultural diversity drives change, not only with respect to economic growth, but it also assists our society to achieve sustainable development, which in turn reduces poverty. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for stability, development and social cohesion in our country. On this score, South Africa still has a long way to go. Unfortunately, there is a palpable feeling of unease amongst our people, which is born out by the results in our just passed election. From the UDM’s perspective, we cannot afford to lose more time in forming a cohesive society and to unleash the creative power inherent in our diversity to transform South Africa into a winning nation for all who live in it. It is not only incumbent on government to promote social cohesion, but it is each of our responsibility to learn about each other’s cultures and live-out our constitutional rights, responsibilities and ideals. The UDM therefore calls on all South Africans to reach out to one another and respect each other’s beliefs and traditions, so that we may be a unified nation. Issued by: Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa UDM Deputy President
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07 Apr, 2019
UDM meeting discussing xenophobia
• Members of the UDM’s National Executive Committee • The party’s regional leaders • Ladies and gentlemen 1. Welcome I wish to thank you for the opportunity to address you today. It might be a little cold outside, but you are here and ready to participate. Also, thank you for sacrificing your time on a Sunday. Despite South Africa’s challenges since political emancipation in 1994, we can all agree that we, as a nation, have made great strides in tolerance and acceptance. We have a modern constitution that we should be proud of, which defines our nation’s character and our relationships with one-another. Even though it’s not always plain sailing, we still work hard on the project of the new South Africa; and we do so every day. 2. Xenophobia in South Africa Xenophobia in South Africa is not a new thing. It’s a harsh truth and we have to stare it in the eyes, with a view to address it once and for all. There are multiple sources for xenophobia, but in the United Democratic Movement’s (UDM) view the root of the problem lies in the unregulated and unfair competition for the poor’s meagre resources. The dearth of housing and jobs are, for instance, part of this dynamic and complex situation. Much of the blame is also to be laid at government’s feet. To cite two examples: • Firstly, one cannot help but feel that xenophobia in South Africa has a cyclical quality and that government’s perennial inattentiveness exacerbates the problem. • Secondly, the impact of its inadequate control over the arrival of illegal immigrants, and lack of resettlement mechanisms, are not addressed. 3. Competition for meagre resources Impoverished South Africans, are already scraping along to make a living in a harsh socio-economic environment. For instance, the competition for shelter and housing is already tough in the South Africa of today. To add to the complexity of the matter we have the issue of illegal occupation of housing by undocumented foreigners. The owners of such houses, and other housing buildings such a flats, should be made to explain themselves, as they exploit undocumented immigrants and, by default, also deprive South Africans of safe havens. The law must step in and these landlords must be brought to book. A UDM government will create special units to be dispatched to identified hot spots. Such units will comprise of purposely trained SAPS personnel, UN refugee experts, social workers and our local authorities, such home affairs. In addition, embassies of affected countries, should be involved so that we can together find our way to address the problem through bilateral agreements and extradition treaties between South Africa and the relevant country. 4. Bringing crime to our shores: safety and security of the country No-one will refute the fact that many non-South Africans find themselves within our borders due to them seeking asylum from war, genocide and persecution. This is understandable and given this country’s past human rights record, we certainly have empathy with these desperate, downtrodden and homeless peoples. But, we can agree that there are those who come to South Africa with wicked and criminal intent. 5. Drugs and human trafficking Many of our cities’ streets are lined with foreign criminal cartels that sell drugs to communities that are already under social and financial stress. Such people soon find themselves locked in the vicious cycle of addiction and its attending social ills. This drug pandemic has also spread to our rural communities, especially with the idle and jobless youth who find income in drugs and escape from their poverty ridden lives. These cartels are also responsible for trafficking humans and is active in the sex-trade. The absence of reliable statistics masks the truth about human trafficking in South Africa. But anecdotal evidence suggests that poor South Africans are struck the worst. As we understand it, many such foreign traffickers evade prosecution because there is no law that criminalises human trafficking. This is something the UDM will raise awareness of in the new term of Parliament. Despite us appreciating the plight of illegal immigrants in South Africa, we can never sacrifice our safety and security. I have travelled the length and breadth of South African on my campaign trial over the past few weeks. There was a clarion call from our people (whether they live in rural or urban areas) that our security agencies are failing to stamp out crime where illegal immigrants are involved. During my interaction with them, the frustration was palpable. They say that even though they report such criminal elements to the police, nothing is done. There are also allegations that the police are in cahoots with the foreign criminals and that they are bribed to turn a blind eye and that they share in the spoils. A UDM government will definitely pay attention to these ills in an effort to rid South Africa from the foreign criminal elements within our borders. 6. Capital outflow Capital outflow to Europe, Asia and other countries on the continent needs to be addressed as leads to a disappearance of wealth and a sabotage of our economy. A UDM government will reconsider the laws, rules and regulations on this score and make them water tight. 7. Conclusion The UDM is a party that promotes a culture of tolerance and understanding. And, I wish to assure everyone that a UDM government will handle illegal immigration in a humane and holistic manner in line with our continental and international obligations. We urge the undocumented immigrants to come to the fore so that they may be registered. Finally, we must recognise that legal immigrants contribute immensely to our society and our economy. We are home to, for instance, educators who teach our youth and do valuable research and development on the academic front. The UDM believes that xenophobia has no place in our society, but we must also be cognisant of our responsibilities to our own people. It is possible for both these directives to work in harmony. Thank you
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26 Apr, 2018
Freedom Day 2018
Statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General Truth be told, we started well in 1994. South Africa built a democratic dispensation based on the noble ideals of protecting human rights and promoting freedom. The struggle movements and leaders can take a bow for breaking down minority rule. But, it is hard to celebrate political freedom, when the majority of our people remains locked out of economic freedom. We of course, at that time, placed political freedom at the pinnacle of our agenda. However, as we ticked the boxes on our constitutionally prescribed checklist, the nation must realise that many of those boxes remains unticked. Because, after 24 years, the nation under ANC-rule has spun its wheels in the mud of corruption, maladministration and lately the rule of a delinquent president. This malodour unfortunately still clings to the status quo. Although we do not want to judge too early, the signals we have seen thus far from the Union Buildings does not auger well for South Africa; with the new president’s appointment of several fishy ministers. Political deals were struck behind closed doors that were in the interest of the ruling party and have not put the people first. So, what has really changed? Not much; the Comrades in Corruption are still at the helm. The very same leaders who presided over South Africa’s slide down the slippery slope of corruption and job shedding had protected their former president at all cost, have decided to “re-deploy” this questionable individual to campaign for the ruling party in the forthcoming elections. The fact is, the ruling party can no longer be trusted, and the public cannot afford to be fooled by the so-called new dawn. This is a leopard that cannot (and will not) change its spots. Come 2019, South Africans must see through the thin veil draped over the ruling party and punish them at the ballot box for their misdeeds. When we celebrate Freedom Day in the future, it will hopefully be a proud moment where all South Africans are starting to enjoy dignity, prosperity and economic freedom, which will truly transform South Africa into a winning nation. Contact: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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26 Apr, 2018
#UDEMWO on Freedom Day 2018: what are we celebrating?
Although some changes for the better have taken place since 1994, there are far too many areas that require vast improvement; especially when it comes to women and children; their needs and the protection of their rights. 1) Economic inequality, crushing poverty and gender discrimination are still the order of the day and most women (especially the elderly and the young) are worse off in this patriarchal and misogynist world of ours. When it comes to women’s development and their access to economic opportunities there is a vast gap between them and their male counterparts. 2) Young women are attacked at their places of learning by unscrupulous vultures who leave them hurt and often pregnant with no hope of adequately rearing their babies without accessing child grants – even if these babies are loved and nurtured instead of being discarded as the product of rape. 3) Women, young and old alike, have increasingly become more vulnerable to abuse and are not safe even in their own homes, never mind on the street and footpaths of our cities, towns and villages! The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) therefore have only one question to ask on 27 April 2018: what are we celebrating? One of the glaring problems is that there is absolutely no synergy within the government departments, which leaves the victims of abuse and crime high and dry, only to again face their tormentors at home after the justice system, has spewed them out. The litany is that, for instance, if the police catches a rapist or a woman-beater (and if the docket does not magically disappear), the suspect is quickly released on bail (for a couple of hundred rands). Then the courts fail women when they give those found guilty, a slap on the wrist or sends them to jail with a meagre sentence (as per the maximum which the law allows). And then, correctional services release these monsters on parole so that they can walk freely in society to further intimidate or abuse their existing victims; or simply become serial offenders as they take their violent, criminal, immoral selves off to other places. After this hot mess, talking about justice, and the support and restoration of the dignity to victims, is a useless exercise. For years, the ministers of women in the presidency have been filled with women, just for the sake of their gender and not because they were capable women. The inaugural holder, Ms Susan Shabangu was a roaring failure. The current incumbent Minister Bathabile Dlamini, is merely a political stop-gap. Without a capable person in this post, the plight of women and children will remain an unfulfilled dream, because no-one is able to crack the whip. Simply using public money to organise an undercover Women’s League gathering to celebrate Women’s Day should be lowest on the agenda. UDEMWO calls on: 1) Parliament to review the relevant legislation that almost seems to contradict the constitution when it comes to the protection of women and children’s rights. UDEMWO believes that a zero-tolerance system should be implemented to deter, punish and rehabilitate offenders, whilst supporting the victims and their families; making sure that justice is served, and their dignity restored. 2) President Ramaphosa to ensure greater synergy between the relevant ministries in the justice cluster. 3) President Ramaphosa to simply fire Minister Dlamini and appoint a capable person in that post. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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21 Mar, 2018
#HumanRightsDay Rally 2018, UDM Rally in Gauteng, DH Williams Grounds, Kathlehong, Ekurhuleni
Speaking notes for UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa 1. Welcome On behalf of the entire United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership, I extend a word of welcome to all of you gathered here today as we commemorate Human Rights Day in South Africa. For each of you, being present is a personal sacrifice and is contribution to the life of the UDM. The UDM leadership therefore thanks you for investing your money, time and energy to be here, as we honour those who have come before us in the fight for a just and equal South African society; free of the shackles of Apartheid. 2. Remembering those who came before us Today, we remember the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 when police opened fire on thousands of people who protested the draconian pass laws. We will never forget that almost 300 lives were irrevocably changed that day; with 69 souls making the ultimate sacrifice so that we can, today, enjoy our civil liberties in a post-apartheid South Africa. The great tragedy of what happened that day, is that it was not the end of the struggle for the dignity and freedom of non-white South Africans. A few days later, on March the 31st, more than twenty people were massacred in a march against the pass laws in Langa, Cape Town. We had the Soweto Uprising – who will ever forget the iconic picture of the limp body of young Hector Pietersen? Much of which followed, happened in the name of the armed struggle, which affected black and white alike. Today, is also the 33rd commemoration of the 1985 Uitenhage Langa Massacre, where at least twenty people were killed at a Sharpeville commemoration. On this day, we also remember the 1992 Bhisho Massacre and the tragic deaths in Boipatong, where the fires of the so-called black-on-black violence were stoked for the most nefarious of goals. Soon Shell House followed. The word “massacre” far too often marks low-points in our history; and this does not even quantify the sacrifices that so many other black and white South Africans made, so that we may all enjoy political freedom. 3. What does Human Rights Day mean in 2018? Sadly, that awful word, again scarred our nation’s consciousness when we witnessed the Marikana massacre, which was the single most lethal use of force by South African security forces against civilians since 1960. Like at Sharpeville, many of the victims were shot in the back whilst trying to flee for their lives. We witnessed (what can arguably be considered as a massacre) when over a thousand patients were relocated to mainly unlicensed NGOs by order of the Gauteng Department of Health… 144 people lost their lives in this tragedy… and they were vulnerable people who most needed their human rights to be protected! It is therefore clear, that fighting for human rights (even when it is entrenched in our constitution), should remain on our daily radars. We cannot afford to forget our history and we must work hard to not repeat the atrocities of the past. May all their souls rest in peace. 4. The state of the nation in brief Despite the changes for the better since 1994, South Africa still faces, amongst others, challenges such as unemployment; inadequate housing and poor living conditions; sub-standard education; a dilapidated public healthcare system; the deeply emotional issue of land; stark racial, gender and economic inequality, as well as the scarcity of opportunities. The changing political landscape in South Africa, particularly over the past few years, has demonstrated that South Africans are tired of the so-called self-correcting nature of the ruling party. The UDM must certainly pat itself on the back for bringing about the change we witnessed with our now infamous former President’s exit from office. I remind you that we, last year, amassed in our thousands to march against this corrupt, constitutionally delinquent man who could no longer be trusted to lead the nation. The UDM went all the way to the Constitutional Court to fight for the “secret ballot” to rid South Africa of “Suspect Number One”. We have consistently made our voice heard in the media and kept ourselves relevant in the body politic of this country. The opposition, civil society, the media and the courts can rightly say that they fulfilled their tasks as part of the checks and balances that protect good governance and ensure a healthy democracy. Yes, 2018 ushered in a new South African president. But, despite the so-called right noises we hear from the Union Buildings, the question remains the same as it had been in 2017 and the preceding years… Notwithstanding the billions of rands spent on infrastructure development since the advent of democracy, just last week a five-year-old girl died, because of poor school infrastructure, when she fell into a pit latrine at a school in the Eastern Cape. Keiskamahoek is on fire because, amongst others, the local roads are beyond repair, because of the current government’s failure to even maintain the infrastructure they inherited in 1994. In this small town, street lights are a luxury, post the so-called new wave. Here in Gauteng, we still have the toll roads, which the people of this province cannot afford and drives up the cost of living. In fact, the Esidimeni Life tragedy points to a public health infrastructure, in this province, that have been neglected to the point where our people are dying for no reason at all. The UDM is very clear that, without a clear and focused investment into a comprehensive infrastructure development programme, the challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality and underdevelopment shall continue to haunt our nation. In this regard, the UDM will in the second term of Parliament lead a debate in the National Assembly on this matter. We invite you to submit your ideas on what needs to be done in regards to infrastructure development. 5. How do we recue South Africa from the slippery slope of entrenched corruption and the maladministration of an uncaring government? We all know that, putting a fresh coat of paint on a delipidated car, does not make it new. Underneath the hood it is still has an engine that will leave you in the lurch (especially when you need it to perform at its best). Voters can no longer afford to be fooled by this leopard trying to convince us that it has changed its spots. The fact remains that the very people who presided over our county’s decline over the past few years are still at the helm. It is the same so-called leaders who were hell-bent on defending their corrupt colleague, even after the writing was on the wall. It’s even worse, when that very same party ropes in the same dubious character to work in its campaigns for the 2019 National and Provincial Elections. Clearly the “new dawn” is a continuation of the sunset it preceded. A Looter Continua! As a parting shot on this topic… it remains to be seen what the State Capture Inquiry will uncover. The nation could very well still be in for a major shock as the Deputy-Chief Justice starts digging into both public and private sector corruption. Indeed, the UDM can be proud of the fact that none of our leaders have been convicted of corruption and that we have been consistent in promoting the ethics of good governance. It is due to the continuous spade-work of parties like our own, that we hold the corrupt to account and turf out those who put their pockets first and the people last. 5.1. The land debate and expropriation without compensation in the bigger scheme of things Without belabouring the various crises that we face, some of which I mentioned earlier, I want to address one topic in particular… land. South Africans, of all persuasions, must understand and admit (whether they like it or not) that the land issue must be addressed once and for all, and that it must happen soon, because the country teeters on the precipice of open revolt. It has become a racial political football precisely because of South Africa’s divisive and turbulent history. The ruling party’s administrations, of the past twenty-four years, have also not done us any favours with their corruption-laced and slow-paced land redistribution project. No-one can dispute that black South Africans were, in the past, dispossessed of land without consultation (never-mind with compensation). To put this into context, I was recently told that historian WJ du Plessis noted that: “By the time of the advent of the new South Africa, about 17 000 statutory measures had been issued to segregate and control land division, with 14 different land control systems in South Africa.” Understanding the issue of land in this context, should find resonance with any rational individual. The UDM therefore voted in favour of the motion, that was recently tabled before the National Assembly, because the imbalances of the past must be addressed. But, with the following rider: it must be done, in terms of a constitutional review, fully cognisant of the implications and mechanisms of implementation. We, categorically, did not a vote for land grabs and turning the country into a second Zimbabwe. The debate, as it currently stands, needs level-headedness. The land issue should also not be used as a populist scaring tactic (by either the left, or the right) to drive the wedge deeper between the formerly oppressed and the formerly advantaged. I therefore invite the UDM’s structures, members and any interested parties, to enter into discussion on this topic and send your feedback to land@udm.org.za (by end-April) on what the fears, hopes and ideals of our people are where land is concerned. 6. Fighting “the good fight” since 1997 Many of you who are here today, have since the UDM’s inception, fought the good fight to clean government and hold those in power accountable. I recognise many faces of those who, with me, left behind a ruling party that, year-by-year, sunk deeper into the quagmire of moral decay, as well as those who exited a nationalist party that refused to recognise its cruel racism and discrimination. You will be proud together with me, that the UDM is firmly rooted in the post-apartheid South Africa that does not have any political baggage. The UDM therefore is the only credible political alternative that can enable South Africans to break free from the shackles of the past twenty-four years and the damage that was done in the era before democracy. 6.1. Recapturing the lost ground Notwithstanding the quite volatile political climate of the late nineties, the UDM, in 1999, managed to have public representatives in Parliament and in no less than six provincial legislatures. In 2000, when we contested municipal elections for the first time and we put into office, 240 councillors nationwide; and also won the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape. But how do we recapture this lost ground? It is a fact that the UDM is widely recognised as an authentic, progressive alternative. People see the party as a champion of clean governance. Our reputation for ethical politics and rationality resonates with South Africans of all walks of life and gives us an edge over other parties. The UDM has, despite the shortcomings in the funding of political parties, sustained itself through mere word of mouth. We have never spent a cent on fancy public relations companies, image polishers and spin-doctors. In stark contrast to this set-up, it was reported that a certain political party (that shall remain nameless) plans to blow a whopping R264 million, on its 2019 Election Campaign. It almost feels like a Hail Mary Pass to stay in control of the country… In order for the UDM to effectively reach the electorate, whilst not having the same resources (including those pilfered from government) as the “big shots” do, it may be necessary for us to consider investing in a strategic marketing exercise, to persuade voters, especially the youth, that the UDM is the political home for all South Africans. 6.2. What’s on our “to-do list” in the months leading up to 2019? The UDM needs to be responsive and pick up issues that affects people’s daily lives and mobilise civil society organisations, all sectors of society, and the people in general, around those issues. The UDM must, in very practical terms, demonstrate its core vision i.e. being the “political home for all South Africans”. It is therefore important that our pool of candidates for the 2019 National and Provincial Elections reflects this characteristic. We therefore thought it wise to “throw the net wider” as we start the exercise of identifying prospective UDM candidates. Not only are we encouraging our members to step up to the plate, but we have invited members of the public, who identify with the UDM’s values and ideals, to give it a shot. We will however fiercely guard against opportunists, who want to parachute onto our candidates’ lists, without first proving themselves. Prospective candidates will therefore be given the assignment of building their own constituencies and grow the Party’s influence. 6.3. The UDM on post-2019 coalition governments If the 2019 elections are to deliver no outright winner, which political pundits predict, the question of coalitions comes to the fore. Just to clarify, the UDM will not consider any form of partnership with other parties before 2019. We will retain our political identity, promote our brand of politics and will only consider coalition after the results have been announced. At that point in time, the UDM will bargain on behalf of the people so that they will have a say in how their government should be run. In other words, in the UDM’s view the work of any coalition government must be rooted in: “putting people first”. 7. Conclusion The task to build the UDM, on our road to 2019, and years beyond, is a big challenge. This doable if we put our noses to the grindstone. We must motivate people (especially the disenfranchised youth) to register, at any time, at any Municipal Electoral Office – or during the coming voter registration weekends. It is important that we spread the word that voters must ensure that their addresses are complete and correct on the voters’ roll; if they don’t do this, they might be turned away from the polling stations in 2019. We must always remember that the task to build the UDM is not only about the future of the party, but about the prosperity of the country and her people. The hard work must start now! Our first milestone is an improved performance in the 2019 elections as a benchmark to build on for all future elections. We have a responsibility to convince voters that the UDM is the only vehicle that can make manifest the UDM’s vision for South Africa. I hope we all leave here today, feeling energised to go full-swing towards 2019. Go out and launch branches, knock on people’s doors and convince them that the UDM is the right, and only party to vote for. Thank you for listening and please arrive home safely. Phambili UDM! Phambili!
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08 Oct, 2013
Human Rights Day
Address by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP at the celebration of Human Rights Day at Marikana, North West on 21 March 2013 Programme Director, Deputy President, Secretary General, UDM National Executive Committee Members, UDM Public Representatives and members of the Party, People of the Bojanala Region Fellow South Africans Thank you to all of you who have come today to make this celebration possible. The structures of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the North West in particular have worked very hard to bring us all together; thank you. To our Secretary General, Mr Bongani Msomi, our National Treasurer, Mrs Thandi Nontenja, a special word of thanks for the hard work and hours of sweat. HUMAN RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA Human Rights Day is a reminder of the tragic 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, in which the police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid pass laws. Today, South Africans of all races use this day to celebrate our unique Constitution which gives equal rights to all. We also take stock of the progress we made to promote, develop and protect human rights in South Africa. Despite the quantum leap from an oppressive regime to one of the most liberal constitutions in the world, human rights violations in South Africa occur all too frequently. INEQUALITY OF SOUTH AFRICA’S CITIZENS It cannot be denied that much has been done for our people, but we must be honest and say that there are too many of us that have no houses, no access to water and sanitation, others walks miles to get to hospitals and clinics, children are taught in mud schools and people don’t have jobs. Millions of our people go to bed on an empty stomach. We all know that poverty is the greatest human rights violation. Co-existing with these high levels of poverty, is extreme inequality, with the gap between the rich and poor widening on a daily basis. ROLE OF UNIONS Another issue related to human rights is the critical question of how best to put the majority citizens in the mainstream of the economy. That said, it is worth noting that the Lonmin workers decided to take the fight about remuneration and working conditions to their employers. You took it upon yourselves to unshackle the workers from the yoke of poverty and inequality. It was brave of you to bypass the middleman, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), when you realised that it was no longer serving your best interests. It is encouraging to see that you continue to fight for your rights despite the challenges facing you. However, you should remember that removing the middleman was just the first step. One of the most critical steps in this process, is that you should continue to familiarise yourselves with the laws of the land. This is extremely important in helping you to frame the appropriate response to whatever challenges come your way. In this regard, we commend the leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) for the sterling work in guiding and supporting you during the negotiations. Mining houses must invest more to cultivate direct relationships with their employees. We call on the management of mines to have an open-door policy and give their employees the opportunity to talk about the matters close to their hearts. I would, however, like to give you a word of advice on the controversial issue pertaining to the access, or lack thereof, of the mineworkers’ to a provident fund worth R22 billion and NUM’s investments schemes. For many years I have been helping ex-mineworkers to claim for their pension funds without success. It is worrying that none of these ex-mineworkers have ever benefited from these schemes of the investment arms of the trade unions. I have yet to come across a mineworker who has received dividends from these investments. It seems as if some trade unions are using workers as their cash cows. This is daylight robbery! We must say NO to this exploitation of workers! In this regard, I would advise you to approach the Farlam Commission and request it to summon the South African Chamber of Mines, NUM, the Department of Labour and the Department of Health to explain where the workers’ monies are. The root of the unhappiness that led to unnecessary deaths of mineworkers was the conditions of service and as such we expect that the Commission would be keen to assist you to trace your invested monies. Even if it means that Judge Farlam must ask the President to extend the Commission’s terms of reference to cater for this important matter. NATIONALISATION OF MINES – SHARING IN THE WEALTH The debate around the nationalisation of mines has been raging for quite some time and I bet that last word was not said at Mangaung. As long as there is no transparency about who really benefits from mining in South Africa, this problem will not go away. Our fathers have been working in these shafts for years without reaping the benefits from this wealth. It seems that we were foolish to think that after 1994 things would change. Instead we see a selected few, parachuted into the mining industry under the guise of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), who have absolutely not ownership and no control. Perhaps, if we had share schemes for the mineworkers we would be talking a different language today. It is for this reason that the UDM has been calling for an economic indaba, on the same scale as Codesa, so that we can thresh out these contentious issues. A GOVERNMENT MAKES IT WORSE INSTEAD OF BETTER The ANC-led government’s decision after 1994 to hastily remove subsidies from key industries, such as agriculture, textile, and so on, is on of the reasons for high levels of poverty and unemployment. To make matters worse, the money Government used to pay for the subsidies is now being channelled to dysfunctional institutions and cadre enrichment schemes. The Tripartite Alliance has also institutionalised corruption, in that, through its investment arms it is always first in line for government tenders. This means that the ANC is both player and referee. The current government does not have its priorities straight. Even if you look at the budget allocations of provinces, there seems to be disparity between what the requirements are and how much resources are given. One can only be baffled when you hear of another elite project to be launched that will line the pockets of the Comrades in Corruption. MARIKANA MASSACRE We stand today on piece of ground that has seen much heartache and sadness. What happened here is a stark reminder of how easily human rights are infringed upon. It is unfortunate that the voices of the people are so suppressed, not only in Marikana, but in other parts of the Country. It reminds us of the Apartheid era, when the Government did not want to listen to its people and they abused their power by sending the police to silence the people. By doing this, the Government played the police against the people and destroyed the hard-earned trust. The Farlam Commission would have failed in its duty if it does not scratch deep enough to determine the extent of involvement of the political heads of this Country in sending the security forces to crush peaceful protests. CONCLUSION In the past, no opposition party would have been given a chance to speak to the people of this area. We thank AMCU for their non-partisanship and that they made it possible for political leaders and other stakeholders to talk to the mineworkers. As a result of this attitude, you now know that you have monies that are due to you. As we leave here today, we must live the dream that is described in our Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is the cornerstone of our democracy and enshrines the rights of ALL the people of this country; it affirms the value of human dignity, equality and freedom. It is no good to pay lip service and say: “Never again”. We must each have our rights, but we also have our responsibilities as citizens of this Country. We must work hard to find each other and make South Africa a Winning Nation. I thank you.
