Admin
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.
Admin
16 Mar, 2017
Human Rights Day 2017 debate
Address by Mr LB Gaehler, UDM Member of Parliament in the National Council of Provinces: Eastern Cape Honourable Chairperson, and Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) acknowledges that we, as a Country, have come far in terms of ensuring that all South Africans enjoy equal human rights. For that we are thankful. However, in its January world-report, Human Rights Watch said that South Africa “continued to face a number of human rights challenges” and that the public confidence in Government’s ability to deal with these challenges has eroded. This revelation must be looked at against an international backdrop of the rise of populist, authoritarian leaders who pose a threat to human rights across the globe. The UDM holds the view that human rights violations include corruption and the lack the respect for the rule of law. As we debate in this House, we find a typical example of this unfortunate reality, where millions of poor South Africans (whose livelihood depend on social grants) have pinned their hopes on the Constitutional Court to defend their right to social security. Government has – instead of creating this hope – jeopardised the rights of the most vulnerable of our people. The actions of Government have created panic and anxiety, and instilled the fear of perpetual poverty. Every South African is entitled to economic, social and cultural rights as entrenched in the Constitution. These rights are indispensable to his or her human dignity. The UDM believes that poverty is the greatest of human rights violations and it must be treated as such. The high levels of poverty, gross economic and social inequality, as well as chronic unemployment and corruption, are the enduring realities in our country that, in practical terms, cast doubt on whether South Africa is indeed a country for all her people. In the midst of plenty, some are still unable to enjoy even the minimum level of food security, water and electricity, quality education and healthcare, as well as shelter. This is not only as a result of a depressed economy, but also unwillingness, wilful negligence and/or discrimination on the part of both the public and private sectors. Yesterday, we witnessed this kind of gross negligence and arrogance in the Constitutional Court. Those on the margins of society are overlooked and are made prisoners of poverty, rather than prisoners of conscience, enduring the torture of hunger and a slow death from preventable causes. Chairperson, given the interconnected nature of all human rights violations, we need a comprehensive and holistic approach in engaging with the economic, social and cultural rights of our people. Before we can celebrate human rights, more needs to be done before our people can fully enjoy their rights. I thank you
Admin
21 Mar, 2014
Mr Holomisa speech: Commemoration of Human Rights Day at Gxwalibomvu
Address of the UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP at the Commemoration of Human Rights Day at Gxwalibomvu Leadership of the United Democratic Movement in the Eastern Cape The people from Gxwalibomvu My fellow South Africans THANK YOU AND WELCOME On behalf of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), I wish to thank the people of Gxwalibomvu for the gracious invitation to commemorate Human Rights Day with you. Today we are welcomed in a part in of the Eastern Cape, where the ruling party brags, is one of its biggest – if not the biggest – ANC branches in the country. This is particularly significant because the UDM today welcomes hundreds of the ruling party’s members into our fold. I think that you must give yourselves a big applause. Tomorrow, upon the invitation of the people of Sterkspruit, it will also be the UDM’s pleasure to welcome another few hundred of the ruling party’s members who have become disillusioned with a government that does not listen. COMMEMORATING HUMAN RIGHTS DAY After having shared some good news, it is with a sense of sadness that we gather on this day to reflect on the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre. We have commemorated this day since the advent of democracy in 1994. However, in recent times, we find ourselves on a slippery slope of human rights abuses that we had hoped to never see again. In the Apartheid years egregious human rights abuses were perpetrated as a matter of course. The abuses we have witnessed, on a daily basis, in the past few years is therefore an even greater travesty. We look back on the murder of Andries Tatane. We think of the countless incidents where our police services fired at communities who merely used their constitutional right to speak freely and to demonstrate. We, in particular, think of the hurt and distress the people of Marikana had suffered, and are still made to suffer. Instead of a government listening to the complaints of the people it sends the police, which has adopted a doctrine of: “shoot first, ask questions later”. The incumbent leaders of government can no longer take the moral high ground that was occupied in the times of the late President Nelson Mandela. MORE ABUSE OF POWER – NKANDLA We listened in awe to what the Public Protector told the nation on Wednesday about what can only be described as a lodge which was built for President Zuma. The millions of Rands that was spent on Nkandla boggles the mind. Yes we agree, a President is entitled to certain privileges, but does that include a tuck shop? Homes for his family and tunnels and kraals for cattle? Do you think this is right in a country were far too many of our people live in abject poverty? But of course the powers that be in the security cluster went to great lengths to convince the nation that these millions were only spent on “security upgrades”. Advocate Madonsela told us that Mr Zuma’s personal architect had inflated the costs of his services. This raises the following question: why? We are of the view that a forensic audit must be done to follow the paper trail to see what the monies paid over to Mr Minenhle Makhanya was used for. It might be possible that the fat that he added to his bill was diverted to cover the costs for the Zuma family’s houses. THE ANC ALLIANCE GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO DISCREDIT AND UNDERMINE THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR I remind you that we have seen this situation unfold before! Remember what happened to the Scorpions? The moment they started to produce results, which were “inconvenient” for the leaders of the tri-partite alliance, the Scorpions were discredited and in the end their demise was orchestrated. The UDM expresses its dismay, but maybe not its surprise, at the ANC and its government’s desperate move to place their inter-ministerial cover-up of Nkandla on a pedestal in an attempt to malign the Public Protector. The credibility of the Nkandla report cannot be challenged. The inter-ministerial exercise remains a public relations exercise aimed at deceiving the people. It can never be trusted. Their condescending response and insinuation that the Public Protector may have political motives, demonstrates their sheer disdain towards this crucial organ of our constitutional democracy. The ANC and its government must remember that the Public Protector exercises her powers and functions without fear, favour or prejudice, as an independent and impartial institution which derives its legitimacy and powers from Section 181 of the Constitution. The report of the Public Protector is credible, meticulous and goes to the heart of the problem that engulfs South Africa. We are certain that the Nkandla scandal is the tip of the iceberg in a country that suffers from glaring mismanagement, maladministration and corruption. Instead of shamelessly undermining this important institution, the members of executive (who solemnly swore to “obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution”) must perform their duties with honour and be the true custodians of our Constitution. The ANC and its alliance partners continue to demonstrate considerable lack of humility in light of the overwhelming evidence of gross maladministration, misconduct and corruption. They cannot resist the urge to, once more, attempt to dupe the nation and forge ahead on their dubious path. HANDS OFF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR! The UDM calls on all leaders of good conscience – those of opposition parties, communities and civil society – to stand together so that the Public Procter can in turn be protected from the hyenas howling for her blood. CONCLUSION Before I leave you today, I leave you with a bit of homework. If you are still of the view that the ANC is the way to go, do a little introspection. Look at what they have done to the country and her people. They employ lies to enrich the few at the expense of the many. When you go to the polls on 7 May… think! The power is in your hands; take charge! It is time for change, so that we can have a better future for ourselves and our children. I thank you
Admin
21 Mar, 2014
UDM Contribution at Human Rights Day Celebration at Sharpeville
Speech from Mrs Thandi Nontenja (UDM National Treasurer) to be delivered at the Department of Arts and Culture Human Rights Day Programme Director The Minister of the Department of Arts and Culture, Premier of Gauteng – Nomvula Mokonyane Leaders of other Political Parties Fellow South Africans: It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the commemoration of what we used to call Sharpeville Day back then. It is befitting for this day to be called Human Rights Day as the rights of those who were marching on that day were violated by the police under the apartheid regime. Today I want to discuss issues that relate to the challenges we faced as a nation. These challenges form the basis of our common humanity. What happened on that day? More than 50 years ago when the police in Sharpeville saw the masses marching towards them they opened fire, killing approximately 69 individuals and injuring hundreds. The scars are deeply embedded. On a daily basis we remember where we have been as a nation and where we want to be. We want to ensure that human dignity, equality and freedom are always entrenched in the lives of our people. Presently, there are so many questions posed about police brutality in South Africa. Police management is a major problem, this includes; poor training, disrespect for law, lack of accountability, criminals within police ranks and so on. You will recall that the South African Human Rights Commission has also expressed its concerns about policing. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that Human Rights Day should be celebrated in the spirit of pride and joy of our human rights as described in our constitution. The terrible irony is that there have been so many human rights abuses in the past few years like Andries Tatane killing, the Marikana massacre, Madibeng killings, Bekkersdal, the list is endless. This is even more disturbing, when one considers that the government, which should be the custodian of this beautiful piece of legislation, has become a culprit in the abuse of human rights as evidenced by our police’s “shoot first, ask later” doctrine. Government has an undisputable responsibility to take action to end violence and not perpetrate it. Respect for human dignity is a value which should be cherished. People cannot be tortured or be treated in a cruel, inhumane or degrading way. As leaders, let us send a positive message to South Africans at large. Let us remind them about their Human Rights but emphasise the fact that with rights comes responsibility. The UDM believes that whoever violates someone else’s rights forfeits his or her own rights. We cannot have a situation where criminals have more rights than law abiding citizens. The state has a major role to play. The government has to create rules and laws that would guide the behaviour of individuals in the society. Institutions such as the Human Rights Commission must play an active role in the promotion and protection of human rights. We also need a strong national program on human rights education. When people look at their past they have to see a difference in their future. We need to be the authors of a new book where we can tell a new story. A story of a perfect nation that respects the rights of every South African. I thank you.
Admin
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.
