Admin
01 May, 2014
Address by UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa at a Nactu Workers’ Day Celebration in eMalahleni (Witbank), Mpumalanga
• Programme Director • Nactu Leadership • Nactu Members • My fellow South Africans THANK YOU On behalf of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), I thank you for the opportunity to share the stage with the National Council of Trade Unions on this very important day. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND WORKERS The past few years has seen a new dynamic in our political discourse that harks back to the time before our new democracy. The Marikana Massacre on 16 August 2012, was an incident of the most use of lethal force by South African security forces against civilians since the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. Twenty one months hence, the ruling party adds further insult to this egregious injury. First Minister Fikile Mbalula tried to ply the African National Congress’ (ANC) pretense of caring and then President Zuma’s scheduled outing was cancelled due to “violence in the area”. Instead of visiting the area when it mattered, and listening to workers’ concerns, the ruling party sent their police to harshly suppress the masses – a blatant use of state resources to defend the ruling elite’s interests in the mining industry. It is impossible to comprehend the arrogance with which the ruling party treats our people. Where were government’s leaders when the danger signs showed? Where were they during the aftermath? The words of the ruling party’s North West provincial chairman Supra Mahumapelo illustrates the ANC’s disdain. He said: “We do not want to draw unnecessary attention… We do not want to give anarchists a platform to advance their agenda.” What kind of leadership provokes violence and then calls our people “anarchists”? Do you even recognise this ANC anymore? Would you judge these so-called leaders to be of the same cloth as the leaders of the struggle? They seem to be nothing more than impostors who masquerade in the name of the people. The original agenda, which is to improve the lives of all South Africans, is a carcass from which these hyenas has grown fat and then left it to rot. GOVERNMENT’S RELUCTANCE TO INVEST IN THE ECONOMY TO CREATE JOBS The irony of celebrating Workers’ Day is that most of our people don’t have work. The rest of the 364 days of the year should each be called: “Jobless Day”. The paradox of the South African economy since 1994 has been jobless growth, even when this country has had a sustained growth for ten years. The ruling party’s policies have failed to grow our economy at the rate required to create jobs. After a careful analysis of South Africa’s economic challenges and opportunities, reinforced by comparative analysis of successful policies in other countries, the UDM has a practical realisable plan. The basic philosophy of the UDM is that “Government Must Do More”. While the UDM recognises the valuable role that markets should play, it is of the firm belief that government must play a key role in creating a stable policy environment and developing the economy for the benefit of our people. “Government Must Do More” means that a responsible government: • cannot depend on market forces alone. • cannot fail to decisively intervene in the economy whilst the quality of life of its citizens deteriorates, South Africans cannot find decent work, millions live in abject poverty and suffer because of underdevelopment. • has to ensure that our political freedom translates into economic emancipation. CLOSURE It is time for change. May the 7th, can be the catalyst for that change, but this cannot happen if you don’t take action. The ANC has failed abysmally to unite South Africans and make nation building the priority. The UDM remains committed to creating a political home for all South Africans, a place where we can all share our freedom together. Thank you
Admin
28 Oct, 1998
Job Summit
Statement by Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the fact that the Job Summit is taking place at last. However, the need for such a summit emphasises the failure of government policies towards job creation. The reasons for these failures are both structural and consequential. On the structural side it must be noted that: The SA manufacturing industry runs only at 80% of its potential The monthly motor sales are at the same level as they were in the middle of 1994 Building plans currently approved are lower than that in the middle of 1994 Manufacturing was 8% lower in August 1998 than in August 1997, whilst the world figure is 1 ½% up for the same period. All of these points indicate the need for some corrections in the management of interest rates and our currency. On the consequential side, one must admit that we have suffered from the global decline in economic activity as well as from the high number of strikes which have had a particular influence on our export production and capacity during July/August 1998. This resulted in the lowest trade balance figures ever for South Africa in August 1998. At its first National Congress on 27 June 1998, the UDM adopted a policy document which addresses the unemployment problem in South Africa. The UDM is proud of this innovative, but practical document and would like to present a few of its more crucial points: The point of departure in our policy document is that neither government nor big business will be able to provide the job requirements The only solution lies in enterprise development through which all South Africans can be empowered and the gap between those that have and those that don’t have can be narrowed To make enterprise development successful an integrated approach is necessary. Specific practical solutions are also illustrated in our documents, for instance: The need to make credit facilities and banking services accessible to the 60% or more of the population that do not have access now. This must be done through refocusing the capital market to assist new and emerging business. The combining of formal and informal financing facilities like local stock exchanges. Entrepreneurial and risk skills training through allocating government resources to practical training which enhances people’s ability to enter the economy. Encouraging land owners to grant or sell shares in their farming enterprises through incentives. Reviewing statutory wage requirements that will encourage job creation and which reflect the unique circumstances of areas and communities. The UDM regrets the fact that it is not able to participate in the Job Summit because we are convinced that our contribution would be worthwhile and enriching. In the latest competitive study report of the World Economic Forum it was indicated that South Africa fares relatively well in the institutional sector and general infrastructure. What is, however, of particular concern is that South Africa is at the bottom of the rating of labour skills and human development. The UDM therefore proposes that specific focus be put on these areas where the government has clearly failed over the last four years.
Admin
01 Dec, 1997
Jobs summit: acclaim for breakthrough
Statement by Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer The UDM is extremely grateful for the agreement reached at Nedlac on the presidential jobs summit planned for the second quarter of 1998. We have taken note of the two phased approach towards the summit and the follow-up phase envisaged. Although proper planning is essential, it is a pity that this most desperate need of so many of our fellow South Africans took so long to receive the proper attention it deserves. It is, however, clear that sufficient new jobs are not going to be created by government and big business alone. The only way to achieve sustainable success in this area, the UDM believes, will be to start with relevant programmes at grass roots level, targeting individuals and households. We need to bring jobs to the townships. In the quest for urgent and creative solutions to this priority issue, the UDM will hold an economic workshop early in the new year. This workshop will involve experts in the respective fields of economic planning, labour and related issues. The UDM will therefore be in a position to creatively take part in the consultation and negotiation phase towards the proposed presidential summit. If the war against unemployment is not won, a sea of desperation and hopelessness will obliterate many of the good things that South Africa has achieved so far. Unemployment needs to be an urgent national priority.
