Admin
26 May, 2020
UDM KZN perplexed at renaming of Umzinyathi District Municipality to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KwaZulu-Natal is shocked at the announcement made by Umzinyathi District Municipality Mayor PMS Ngubane, that the municipality is undergoing a name change to “Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi District Municipality”. The Umzinyathi community was taken by total surprise when we heard the announcement via uKhoziFM. What is at issue here is the constitutional mandate the directs municipalities as per Sections 152(1)(e) and 153(a) of the Constitution, which reads: S152(1) “ The objects of local government are: (e)To encourage the involvement of the communities and community organizations in the matters of local government “. S153(a) “A municipality must structure and manage its administration and budgeting and planning process to give priority to the basic needs of the community, and to promote the social and economic development of the community”. As far as the UDM in KwaZulu-Natal is aware, there was no consultation with the community, regarding the name-change, as is dictated by Section 152(1)(e) and for all intents and purposes, a name is being forced down their throats. If the community had been consulted, there would have been several, well-known local names that would have been thrown into the hat, such as Inkosi Simakade Mchunu, Mr FS Sikhakhane (former mayor of Msinga) and Bambatha kaMancinza. At the heart of the matter is a lack of prioritisation when a random name change is now more important than this municipality discharging its core functions. Section 153(e) explicitly directs municipalities to give priority to basic needs provision in its budgeting and planning. The Umzinyathi District Municipality is failing to provide water to its communities. One of the excuses is that it awaits financial assistance from the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department, to fix 706 dysfunctional water hand pumps to the tune of R1.5m. Yet it has the audacity to splash scarce funds on a name change. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal calls on the Umzinyathi District Municipality to correct its skewed priorities, halt the name change and re-channel those funds into fixing the 706 water hand pumps. This is the morally and constitutionally correct thing to do. — end — Issued by: Mr Boysey Gumede UDM KwaZulu-Natal Interim Provincial Secretary
Admin
01 Jun, 2015
Message from the UDM President at the 41st Anniversary of the Inkatha Freedom Party
Address by UDM President, Mr BH Holomisa- MP Master of ceremonies, President of the IFP, Mr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leadership of the party, members and supporters Indeed, none amongst South Africans, people of the continent and the world over, can deny the immerse contribution that this wonderful party has made in the fight for freedom in our life time. You have made a great contribution to bring the kind of South Africa we all celebrate today, notwithstanding the fact that we still have a long way to go, collectively. Off cause the freedom you fought for is not yet felt and enjoyed by all citizens of the country including the members and supporters of IFP. The period between 1990 and 1994 was not well managed. Many role players in the fight against apartheid were not given the full role to play. The relationship between the current ruling party and the IFP was not good and this has robbed South Africans of a contribution that would have been made in crafting the developmental programme for the country. We went into 1994 as divided political parties in our isolated corners and could not learn from those with experience. However, we are happy that your contribution cannot be forgotten. President Mangosuthu, your decision to form and continue to guide the development and growth of this party was and remains one of the most important ones in the political history of this country. For that, we salute you. IFP, under your stewardship, has grown significantly and made numerous important contributions in shaping the political direction of our country. Your policy proposals cannot go unnoticed and in many circumstances has helped the country to sustain its democracy over the last 21 years. Your fatherly and high moral guidance in Parliament is a source of inspiration, continue to do it. The United Democratic Movement wishes you, your party, members and supporters a great evening and many more years to come. Thank you very much for allowing us to be part of history making. Thanks End
