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08 Mar, 2016
Bantu Holomisa writes to SABC about ANC hijacking of Imvuselelo
Honourable Minister F Muthambi, The Chairperson of the SABC Board, The Provincial Manager of Umhlobo Wenene ANC HIJACKING OF THE SABC – UMHLOBO WENENE IMVUSELELO PROGRAMME The above matter has reference. I am an ardent follower of the Imvuselelo Programme broadcasted by SABC by Umhlobo Wenene Radio Station. Every Sunday evening, I invest time to listen to this spiritually building programme since the time of the late Reverend Lufafa from the then Radio Transkei. When it was integrated into the programmes of Umhlobo Wenene, I continued following it. In the past the programme was purely religious in every aspect. Today, the African National Congress (ANC) Government has hijacked the programme with Members of the Executive Council and Mayors using public money. It has been captured by an unethical ruling party and turned it to be its campaigning platform. After the elections of 2014 it raised eyebrows when this programme went to Bhisho to wash the premier’s feet, even though it was known that he was under investigation, because an amount of R200 000 from monies earmarked for former President Mandela’s funeral ended up in his personal account. Every time the programme airs, you find these Executive Members at centre stage of the church and are given a podium to campaign for their political party. I attended one of these services in Mthatha and it was most repulsive to see the ANC Women’s League Members wearing their uniforms. I was told that when this programme was recently broadcasted from Sterkspruit and Mancam Village in Mqanduli that one would not be amiss to think that it was an ANC gathering. ANC flags and other campaign material were paraded during what is supposed to be a religious gathering for all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation. If you were to listen to the recording of the service in Mancam, the MEC of Social Development made no bones of praising her party and bringing service delivery to the people. She went on praising the role of ANC stalwarts. You tell me if that is not political campaigning. Writing this letter, I also consulted some party leaders who informed me that the same abuse is true of a religious programme on Radio Lesedi called Mafulong a Matala. I fail to understand why the SABC, as the public broadcaster, would allow itself to be used for political gain by a ruling party. If public funds are used for the benefit of the public, the SABC should extend participation to all political parties represented in the area where the programme is held to air views on a specific issue affecting all citizens. It would be important that the SABC goes back to basics and run this programme using its own budget. Programmes like Imvuselelo should not be funded through provincial and/or local fiscus as such will come with conditions that will undermine the independence of the SABC. After all this money they are using is to bring services to the poor, such as roads, water and electricity and not to brainwash them with ANC propaganda. If the SABC charges the Guptas for the breakfast show on SABC TV2 from monies they receive from SEOs, such as Eskom, Transnet, etc. they certainly could afford this expense. SABC should refuse to be used as a mobilising vehicle of the ruling party using the platforms created to develop citizens spiritually. It is a public broadcaster and should be above party politics, at best it should create a separate programme for all political parties to use the public space equally. Should the SABC not stop this blatant bias in Imvuselelo, we shall be forced to instruct our members to attend these services in full party regalia, carrying party material, and insist that they on, the spot, be given a platform – as they do for the ANC – to address any topic they choose. I am sure other political parties would also welcome this opportunity, especially since talk-shows have been suspended by the SABC. Whilst you are pondering our demands in the meantime, could you please forward the schedule of these programmes so that we can tell our members to attend these services. I will always support Imvuselelo in the form that it was originally intended. I however outright reject the fact that the ANC has hijacked religious programmes for their own nefarious objectives. Our message is clear; the ANC must be stopped from hijacking SABC religious programmes. I hope this will be attended to urgently Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President Copied to: Secretary of the South African Council of Churches Party Political Leaders
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20 Mar, 2016
Motion of No Confidence in the President
Address by Mr BH Holomisa MP in Parliament Hon Speaker and Hon Members The South African electoral system does not enable the electorate to directly elect a President of the country. Contrary, South Africans vote for a political party which in turn appoints a President. It is therefore a duty of the ruling party to ensure that its candidate serves the nation with distinction and in accordance with the oath of office as prescribed in the Constitution. If, as is the case now, their candidate is messing up with the country, the ruling party has a duty to the nation, to act decisively in the interest of the country and its people. It is common cause that, President Zuma is not only a liability to his party and its allies but to the entire nation. He is a monumental embarrassing failure. At the centre of all government related scandals that are daily reported, is the President. In some instances they involve his family and friends. All these are at the expense of our country. If the ruling party is to be true to its credentials, then it must say, both in words and actions, the country comes first and therefore no internal politics should supersede the national interests. The current war between the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Finance Minister in which once again the President is at the centre, is taking the country to the dustbin of history. Parliament should be seized with this matter and it should seek clarity from the Constitutional Court, as to whether the Hawks and SARS are acting procedurally, and consistent with their legal powers. Once such is determined, then all the necessary processes must be allowed to unfold without any political interference. The state and its institutions must never be used to fight and settle internal party politics and the rule of law must always prevail. I thank you
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29 Feb, 2016
The impact of SA’s drought on the agricultural economy
Address by Mr ML Filtane, MP in Parliament Honourable Speaker and members Although agricultural sector’s relative contribution to the gross domestic product of the country is small and still declining, it nevertheless plays an important role in the creation of wealth and safety nets in South Africa, specifically in the rural areas. Drought has severely affected the country’s agricultural productivity capacity and thus affecting negatively our Gross Domestic Product. It affects both crop and livestock farming devastatingly. The loss of maize exports and the move to import more, results in the widening of the trade deficit. Agriculture export made up about 11 percent of South Africa’s total annual exports, surely this year, 2016, agricultural export revenue is likely to drop. One sector within the agricultural economy that is normally forgotten when considering the effects of drought, is the emerging, small and informal agricultural sector. As a result of this omission, when drought relief programmes are planned and implemented, this group of farmers is left outside. Mandla Nkomo, Operations Director at TechnoServe, which assists emerging farmers, had this to say: the drought’s impact on its clients was devastating. This is so because amongst others, these farmers depend on regulated irrigation and in times like these, water allocation is controlled and cut back. Many of the emerging farmers have been hard hit such that they had to write off their entire crop. The emerging and informal farmers, are also vulnerable because they have no insurance, savings or anything like that, so during drought, they take the knock full on with no resources to reboot themselves. In this regard, a combination of interventions has to be pulled together in assisting the emerging and informal farmers. They are very important in providing basic food security, fighting poverty and we need to make graduate into commercial farmers. Amongst others, UDM propose the following, to be done to mitigate devastating effects of drought in particular on emerging and informal farmers: Agricultural training including planning for drought as well as using the indigenous methods of responding to drought. Government and the industry should move away from reactive methods towards more proactive approach towards drought and other natural disasters. Capacitation of emerging and informal farmers so that they can grow into commercial farmers and consistently contribute to economic growth and employment creation in a sustainable and bigger scale. Whilst these farmers are unable to afford the insurance rates, government should consider subsidising them. Further, government should educate these farmers on how they should develop drought plans and the drought mitigation and coping strategies. Once they have these tools in place, the insurance premiums will be affordable and government can pull-out his subsidy. All of this must be accompanied by a realistic, reasonable and requisite rural infrastructure development programme to support rural development. Thank you
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22 Feb, 2016
UDM condemns service disruptions by ANC in Ingquza Hill Municipality
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) condemns the disruption of public services due to internal strife amongst the African National Congress members in the Ingquza Hill Municipality. Most affected areas include ward 21 eMcobothini, ward 20 Hombe, and ward 16 Nkunzimbini. It is reported that this problem started three weeks ago when community members affiliated to the ruling party were not pleased with the Ward Councillors that are deployed in the affected areas. This has led to the angry members to take to the streets, blocking the streets with big stones leading to pupils not going to school, burning tyres and in some schools teachers were forced out of classes by these members. Today, many shops in town were forced by the protesting community members to close down. This only means that businesses and owners who have nothing to do with the turmoil within the ANC are also negatively affected. We will not tolerate the abuse of innocent people by the ruling party and its members. Their in-fights must not affect the ordinary person in the street. As the UDM, we condemn this action that has led to many disruptions in Ingquza and calling upon the ANC leadership in that area to intervene and solve whatever problems they are faced with. People have a right to free movement. Statement issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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18 Feb, 2016
SONA Debate: UDM comments on the reply by the President
The United Democratic Movement welcomes the comment made by the President in response to our call for an All-Inclusive National Economic Transformation Indaba. Notwithstanding his fears, we remain convinced that South Africans from all political and socio-economic persuasions are prepared to do everything possible for the growth and development of our economy. As South Africans did with the political transition, decided to embrace each other irrespective of different ideological positions and a painful experience, surely there is a possibility that they can find each other on the economic ground. The fact that captains of industry are not only prepared but ready to engage with labour movements, all parties confirmed the need for something drastic to be done in the economic front, should be a positive indicator. In any event, South Africa has been able to find each other on the National Development Plan. Indeed and as we have proposed, the process towards the Indaba should be preceded by a National Summit which shall agree on the national framework that will guide the Indaba and reduce areas of disagreement. Such will address his fears. However, the fact the President elected not to consider the following, has appalled UDM. 1. Whilst the President has re-iterated government’s commitment to fight corruption, we thought that he would specifically provide leadership on the questionable transactions taking place in the Public Investment Corporation, where pension monies of the poor working people are flowing into the back pockets of the cronies of the ruling elite. These include the deals done to benefit amongst others, the consortiums called Kilimanjaro Sakhumnotho and a not-for-profit organisations, “Global Fund for Christ”. These include provided funds of many of the ex-mine workers who have been marching between the Union Buildings and Parliament with no answer. 2. This also includes the crisis in the Construction Education and Training Authority, where corruption whistle blowers are reported to SACP leaders for reprimand. The levies paid by poor workers are being abused just under the nose of the Minister of Higher Education and Training who is an SACP chief. 3. The abuse of public funds through the so-called ‘War on Leaks Project’ launched by the President in Port Elizabeth, where only those young people associated with the ruling party gets jobs. Effectively, this projects funds campaign activities of the ruling party’s volunteers. We thought that the President would condemn the usage of public money by government leaders of the ruling party assisted by government officials. We also thought that the President would take the nation into his confidence and explain why after such painful experience the country has gone through due to his actions, he remains in office. This is so important given the fact that some of these actions have compromised the national legislature and members of the cabinet. In this regard, UDM shall continue to make a call for the revolutionary consciousness of Mr Zuma to prevail and for him to vacate the Office of the President with dignity. Statement issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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17 Feb, 2016
SONA Debate: contribution by Mr Lennox Gaehler, MP in the Joint Sitting of Parliament
Honourable Speaker, President and Honourable Members The drought that has visited our land has affected big, small, formal and informal farming sector, depending on their proximity to a scarce source of water. In this regard, United Democratic Movement suggests that, drought relief interventions, whether at a planning or implementation stage, should deliberately target the small and informal farmers too, as their contribution in providing food security and fight poverty, is relevant and significant. Honourable Speaker the infrastructure needs of a country present themselves as an opportunity and threat, while we want to position our country as an investment destination but the dire need for infrastructure remains a repelling effect. We are happy that transport infrastructure was identified as a catalyst for economic growth, but the sad reality is that this has just become an academic exercise, because if you go to the Eastern Cape, for instance, and ask for a transport infrastructure master plan, you shall find none. In addition, the socio – economic infrastructure of the rural areas does not keep up to standard, to respond to the ever increasing demands. The current interventions are insufficient as they tend to benefit urban areas. In this way, a better rural livelihood will be difficult to realise. In this regard, the UDM suggests that a realistic, reasonable and requisite Rural Infrastructure Development Grant be created. Such a grant will first help to address the rural infrastructure backlogs and unlock the great potential located in the rural areas. Masigxinisise kuphuhliso lwasemakhaya ingakumbi kwimicimbi yendlela, umbane, amanzi acocekileyo, nezonxibelelwano. Madam Speaker, as the campaign for the Local Government Elections has started, we call for an end to the blandishments of basic services to sway votes in favour of the ruling party. Already, we have witnessed government activities, being turned into party rallies, at the expense of other citizens. In these government activities, party members and officials in full regalia of their party intimidate other members of the public and openly campaign on a government platform. Food parcels and Expanded Public Work jobs, like the ‘War on Leaks Project’, in Port Elizabeth, are already campaign instruments. Such abuse of a public office is a breach of oath, a neglect of citizens and it undermines the Constitutional rights of the people in particular the indigent. Makuyekwe ukusetyenziswa kwe-mali zabahlali xa kukhankaselwa iivoti. Wonke ummi weli lizwe unelungelo loku thatha inxhaxheba kuphuhliso lwelizwe noku-xhamla kuwo onke amathuba emisebenzi yase kuhlaleni. Thank you
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06 Feb, 2016
2016 SONA debate: contribution by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
ADDRESS BY Mr BH Holomisa MP IN PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Hon Speaker, Hon President and Members The South African economic situation demands that we adopt an approach that is all inclusive and pragmatic. One of the credits to our country is our ability to resolve challenges through dialogue. Perhaps in resolving the current economic crisis, we need to borrow from our recent past. CODESA delivered political liberation with more still to be done on economic front so that we can have a binding consensus on the macro-economic policy of the country. In this regard, the United Democratic Movement suggests: • That an all-inclusive National Summit be convened to develop and adopt a framework to guide all role players towards a National Economic Transformation Indaba whose resolutions will result to a progressive amendment in the current legislative regime. The proposed Economic Indaba must emerge with a comprehensive blue print of a road to be traversed by the country in dealing with such matters as land, education and skills development, black economic empowerment. Madam Speaker – the security of the worker’s pension needs immediate attention. Given that the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) seems to be a sources of questionable deals for cronies of the ruling elite through amongst others, consortiums like Kilimanjaro Sakhumnotho and some not-for-profit organisations like the “Global Fund for Christ”. In this regard, UDM suggest to all contributors to the Pension and Provident funds, to consider establishing an Independent National Pension Fund Forum, to amongst others: • Monitor investments, auditing and usage of their monies by the Public Investment Corporation and other Financial Institutions. We further propose that a task team led by a retired Judge be established in order to: • Investigate all complaints from ex-mine workers who have been marching to Parliament and Union Buildings, demanding information on their provident funds, allegedly not paid either by the state and or their employers. Madam Speaker, a widely publicised offer by the President to bring finality to the Nkandla saga in the interest of national unity is noted. There is no doubt in any body’s mind that the Nkandla saga has affected many individuals and institutions adversely due to his handling manner against many advices. As we speak, this has affected the trust and confidence of many Public Representatives in this house, who felt abused during this process. In this regard, we appeal to his revolutionary consciousness as a patriot with unquestionable struggle credentials, to place the interests and unity of the nation first and vacate the office with dignity. Further and to avoid another embarrassing sitting President, scoring own goals, the house must demand the long-time promised Ministerial Handbook for scrutiny. South Africans, whilst SONA was very lean on corruption, billions that were supposed to help improve our social ills in this country is being looted left and right. A new phenomenon has emerged through SETAs which are used to divert skills development funds to bottom-less private pockets. Employees who are suspected of blowing the whistle, on alleged corruption against the CEO of the Construction SETA, are either expelled and or suspended in droves. To make things worse, some of these employees were paraded and humiliated when they were taken by the CEO and Chairperson of the Board to an outsider, the Provincial Secretary of the SACP in KZN. The victimised employees have appealed to the Presidency without success. Surely, South Africans, we cannot allow SETAs and the Department of Higher Education and Training to be an SACP employment bureau and a funding vendor. I thank you
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11 Feb, 2016
UDM SONA Expectations
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa The United Democratic Movement expects the President to outline: How is the government going to bring concrete and realistic solutions to our economic woes: Instead of the consumptive policies that the current leadership is obsessed with characterised by targeted corrupt consumption like in the case of pension fund in which Nedlac failed to play its role. It would be a bold and positive stance if the President was to announce the appointment of a steering committee to prepare framework for an inclusive Economic Indaba, which would among others, come up with a comprehensive and implementable plan with time frames to take our economy forward. High on the agenda of the Inclusive Economic Indaba would be the issue of land, role of the state, business and labour in addressing the triple challenges facing the country, being unemployment, inequality and poverty. The SONA must also provide an answer to the questions: • How can we make sure that we invest on the majority citizens of this country as opposed the so – called BEE deployees who have no control and ownership of the economy; • How do we deal with tensions between labour, government and business; and • How do we extricate ourselves from the tinge of corruption, sadly perpetrated by country’s leadership. End
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03 Feb, 2016
Zuma must go
Zuma has no respect for the people of this country. He has embarrassed his own colleagues in the ruling party, in the process compromised the morale fibre of this country. His pronouncement is nothing less of electioneering. The people of South Africa must continue to hold the President and government to account. His attempt to want to avoid further embarrassment and ridicule by the Constitutional Court, should be rejected at all costs. The Constitutional Court must proceed to confirm powers of the Public Protector. We reject his reference to AG. Public Protector’s remedial actions must not be amended by Zuma who is the main culprit. Public Protector said figures must be determined by National Treasury and SAPS not AG. In the meantime ANC must do us a favour and call him back. He is a liability. South Africa deserves better. Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa
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01 Feb, 2016
UDM calls for Commission Of Inquiry on ARV crisis, Free State
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi. UDM Secretary General As the United Democratic Movement (UDM), we are stunned by the dire situation of ARV treatment shortage for HIV positive patients in the Free State province. The problem has led to many patients defaulting on their treatment as they have not received medication since October last year while at some parts of the province the problem began as early as June. We cannot fold our arms and watch while innocent lives are suffering and denied an access to their basic right to health. Patients cannot afford to stop taking Anti-retrovirals after have already started in taking them because this will put them in danger of developing resistance to the drugs. Such scenario affects CD 4 count negatively This has gotten out of hand. UDM is calling upon the Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to walk the talk that his government is changing lives for the better. A speedy intervention to resolve this crisis is needed. Our people deserve better. With more than 20 years into democracy we cannot have such situation where the masses are not taken care of. It is high time that the government and stakeholders involved come up with a lasting solution in the Province. The Minister must also institute a Commission of Inquiry on the failure of officials to execute the plan of the Department. This is a disgrace and embarrassment to the Nation. End
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26 Jan, 2016
UDEMWO has no confidence in police
University of Cape Town. As women we are left with a question of how many innocent women must fall victim of this horrendous crime before swift actions can be taken to put an end to this and protect them. We are even more disappointed by the South African Police Service officials who are dragging their feet to arrest the perpetrators. If our government and all other stakeholders involved have money to pay for security during student protests, we strongly believe that they have the money to hire security companies at the institutions for the protection of women. UDEMWO is calling for stringent security measures at the university and all other higher learning institutions throughout the country. It is sad to know that the very places that are supposed to be safe are the most vulnerable to acts of crime. End
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22 Jan, 2016
UDM welcomes the appointment of new Police Commissioners
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the appointment of the two Commissioners, Lieutenant General Baile Brenda Motswenyane who will be at the helm of the North West Police while Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Elvis Julathe will be in control of the gangster riddled Western Cape Province. We hope that the newly appointed Commissioners will bring a positive change and turn things around in the provinces and in the South African Police Service as a whole. The Western Cape is currently battling with high number of gangster-related issues including drug dealing and crime. We hope that Lieutenant General Julathe will bring strategies to curb the escalating problems and not be a part of them. The nation is waiting to see the Commissioners proving and showing that they are appropriate incumbents. The citizens deserve better. The country has witnessed the failure of the police in executing their duties in a number of aspects, failure to get convictions on serious or high profiled criminal cases, the killing of innocent protesters during service delivery protests etc. We are calling upon Lieutenant General Motswenyane to make sure that these mistakes are put to a stop. End
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20 Jan, 2016
ANC must refrain from violence
As the United Democratic Movement, we are disappointed by the ANC member, Bongani Mkongi, who holds a high position in the ruling party who took to social media calling upon ANC members for the burning and killing of innocent lives that were inside a block of flats where a ”Zuma Must Fall” banner was hung. This is unacceptable. His comments have shown clearly that the ruling party and its leaders do not care about the citizens but only care for their own. The UDM is calling for punitive measures against Mkongi or any person who thinks they can make statements that could possibly incite violence. This country has passed the hard times where people were killed by those in power for no reason. The South African Constitution states clearly that everyone has a right to live and we will not allow this country to be run like in the past. His apology is not enough as the damaged has been done already. If the ANC is truly against Mkongi’s irresponsible comments, it must take harsh actions against him. The nation is waiting and watching what the ruling party will do. Statement issued by UDM Secretary General, Bongani Msomi
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03 Dec, 2015
UDEMWO pleased by SCA verdict: Oscar Pistorius
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is delighted by the new ruling of the Supreme Court of Appeal that has found Oscar Pistorius guilty of murder of Reeva Steenkamp. As UDEMWO, we welcome this verdict. The overturning of the court judgement brings hope in the justice system and to women and children that are victims of crime. We hope that the justice system will continue to deal with lawbreakers and not be lenient against them. As the case is going back to the High Court and Judge Thokozile Masipa will once again preside, we hope that it will not drag for a very long time as we feel this is a waste of taxpayers’ money.
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23 Nov, 2015
UDEMWO calls for swift action by MEC Qedani Mahlangu
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja: UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed by the news of a possible risk of babies going blind due to power outage at one of the biggest hospitals in Africa, Chris Hani Baragwanath. It is with great sadness that such an unfortunate event is not taken serious by the health authorities instead the Department of Health in Gauteng is busy playing hide and seek while the health of those innocent babies is at risk of being permanently blind. The power outage could have been avoided. Government has the money for all the lavish lifestyle for the leaders but the important and basic things as health are being taken for granted. Millions of rands are wasted in building and upgrading Nkandla, funding private jet for president while the masses are suffering. UDEMWO is calling upon Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu to a make swift intervention on this problem and other challenges that Gauteng hospitals are faced with. This unfortunate incident adds up to all the misery in health facilities in that province. It has been forever since the Department Of Health was confronted with issues of health such as community members sleeping on the floors at health facilities while others lost lives. What is even sad to this is the fact that the Department of Health in Gauteng is denying the problem to ever exist in that hospital. As UDEMWO, we say more could be done to curb this problem and other problems that hospitals are facing. An immediate action must be made by Health authorities to save these innocent babies. End
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11 Nov, 2015
UDM welcomes sentencing of Mido Marcia’s killers
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi As the United Democratic Movement (UDM), we welcome the sentencing of the eight (8) police officers who were involved in the horrendous assault that led to the death of Mozambican taxi driver Mido Marcia in Daveyton in 2013. The sentencing sends out a clear and strong message to all other officers and criminals who think they are above the law. We hope that the justice system will continue to deal with lawbreakers and not be lenient against them. Such people do not belong in our communities. We hope that the sentence will also be a lesson to other law enforcement officials who abuse their power. End
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28 Oct, 2015
ANCWL march insult to women
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja :UDEMWO Secretary General As the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO), we are overwhelmed at the stunt by the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) to take into the streets in defence of President Jacob Zuma. Their march shows clearly that Women’s League does not care about societal matters but their main objective is covering each other’s backs rather than the masses. This is an insult to women of this country that the ANCWL decides to stand by Zuma the very same thing they did when he was facing rape case and other cases. The current ANCWL President Bathabile Dlamini was at the forefront during that case against another woman. To us as UDEMWO, it appears clearly that their interest lies only in self-serving. The nation is currently faced with burning issues and we have never heard from the Women’s League and now they have courage to march protecting one man. The country would be a better place if they would use the same energy and heroism in matters that will benefit us all, specifically women. Instead of addressing the symptoms of Zuma’s blunders the ANCWL should find the root causes of him being ridiculed. They must look around to see which other Presidents were ever ridiculed more than him. The answer lies within the ANC. ANCWL must also remember that the President they are defending was elected by people and he must account to the citizens. End
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27 Oct, 2015
Debate on Higher Education Transformation
Address by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Speaker and Honourable Members, We should all take a leaf out of the students’ book because during their protests they were able to rise above narrow sectarian interests to fight for a common cause, something which is becoming rarer and rarer in our national politics. The second lesson is that, apart from other political dynamics that were at play, the rejection of political parties during the student protests, though strategic on the one hand, pointed to a yawning disconnect between political organisations and voters, on the other. Colleagues, It is clear that we have some soul-searching to do. Coming back to the theme of today’s debate, the United Democratic Movement supports the students call for free education and the reasons are as follows: First, government has room to eliminate wasteful expenditure in its Departments, which runs into billions of Rands annually, and to reallocate the money to tertiary education. Second, government should compel universities to be transparent about their cost structures and to identify opportunities for cost cutting. Furthermore, steps should be taken to ensure that institutions of higher learning are transparent about and accountable for their use of public funds. The Auditor General must audit their books. Third, government should redirect and reallocate some of the money that is sitting with SETAS to higher education to make free education a reality, as these SETAS are increasingly becoming employment agencies for the ruling party and its cronies. Fourth, on transformation, Honourable Minister, ensuring access to higher education is only one side of a complex problem. Government should address issues of racism in the sector, of an alienating institutional culture for the majority of students, concerns about the lack of advancement of black academics and general concerns about the language of tuition. While still on the subject of transformation, Mr Minister, I wish to ask you two questions. The first question is: Of the universities that have been placed under administration, how many of the administrators are black? The second question is: How many black consultants have been used by these administrators over the years? Fifth, we propose that the Task Team that has been established to look into the provision of free university education be opened up to civil society organisations and relevant stakeholders in order to ensure that as many stakeholders as possible contribute to the process. Compatriots, The time for political blame game is over! We must now work together to put forward a comprehensive plan that will ensure that, through free university education, our children are able to escape the vicious cycle of poverty, unemployment and inequality. Thank you.
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23 Oct, 2015
PE Ward 30 service delivery challenges
LETTER TO PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, MINISTER PRAVIN GORDHAN AND MAYOR DANNY JORDAAN BY UDM PRESIDENT BANTU HOLOMISA Honourable Mr D Jordaan Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality First Floor City Hall Vuyisile Mini Square Port Elizabeth Honourable Mr Pravin Gordhan Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Republic of South Africa 120 Plein Street, Floor 11 Room 1110 Cape Town 8000 Honourable Mr JG Zuma President of the Republic of South Africa Tuynhuys Private Bag X1000, Cape Town 8000 Dear All SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES IN WARD 30 NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY The above matter has reference. On the 13 of September 2015, I visited ward 30 of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in Port Elizabeth and conducted a walk about at the ward and had a dialogue with residents, in the company of the newly elected United Democratic Movement (UDM) Ward Councillor, Mr Mandla Lous Faltein. The ward mainly covers two settlements, Kwamagxaki and Veeplaas. During our interaction with residents of both settlements, and the subsequent engagements with the ward councillor, the residents raised the following issues for urgent consideration by authorities. The Kwamagxaki residents raised the following issues, in no order of priority: • Leaking water pipes and meters; • Roads with potholes and some untarred; • Water fountains which are reducing the durability of their houses; • Inaccurate municipal electricity and rates billing system; • Delays in the issuing out of title deeds to deserving people; • Lack of clarity on the substance and implementation of the indigent policy as some households are headed by children and or unemployed persons; • The long turn-around time of the community services department, resulting to unhealthy environment and the mushrooming of illegal dumping sites; and • Daily increasing levels of crime. The Veeplaas residents raised the following issues, in no order of priority: • High rate of unemployment and lack of opportunities thereof; • Lack of or poor street lighting and playing grounds; • Slow pace of houses delivery resulting to unending mushrooming of shacks; • Overcrowded and poor state of the clinic; • Road with pothole and some untarred; • Sewerage spilling over the street due to poor maintenance; • No legally agreed to, occupation of the official buildings (incubator) by political parties in the ward; • Lack of communication between the ward councillor and municipal officials with regard to show houses; and • Lack of support for local initiatives like the carwash, cleaning of the Chetty River, fencing of cemeteries which initiatives may result to job opportunities. Although the two communities may not share exactly the same socio-economic circumstances, their service delivery issues raised above, are similar and related. This reality presents an opportunity for the municipality to consider implementing ward-based service delivery and development approach as an intervention method. The ward based planning and implementation approach to service delivery, which is central in the Back to Basics Campaign championed by the Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Pravin Gordhan, is the way to go. This approach may be piloted in this ward and be implemented to all other 59 wards of the municipality. This will also provide an opportunity for residents to be at the centre of planning and implementing their own developmental programmes, thus owning up to their responsibilities and rights. I urge your respective offices, to seriously consider the suggested intervention and be in contact with the ward councillor and residents of these communities as a matter of outmost urgency. Your prompt and decisive intervention is awaited and appreciated. Yours in service, Mr. Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
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21 Oct, 2015
Police attack against students
Statement issued by UDM President, Bantu Holomisa The brutal attack by police directed against the peacefully protesting students of the Nelson Mandela Municipality University and other Universities in the country, resembles the apartheid government’s response during the mid-1970s to the mid-1980 student uprising against Bantu Education. If one poor student loses his or her life as a result of the police actions, will not be surprised, Marikana has taught us, that even under democracy, a brutal police force is used to suppress the views of citizen. As South Africans, we must join hands and reject the suppression of the Constitution Right of the students, our children, brothers and sisters. We must show the ruling party we will not allow this country to go back to the apartheid days. The current financial crisis confronting tertiary institution and education in general, demands that government, go back to basic and reprioritise. First, the elite projects intended to benefit the ruling elite must be stopped, and redirect those funds towards Education and other important priorities like Health. Whilst these young poor souls are denied quality and affordable education, the pockets of the few ruling party and its elite are lined to benefit from the public purse through elite projects. The kids are still suffering racism, lack of institutional transformation, financial exclusion and now police brutality. How much more should they endure in the hands of a democratic government. This must come to an end.
Admin
19 Oct, 2015
UDEMWO condemns Kensington attack
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) condemns the ruthless and inhumane incident that took place over the weekend where a young woman was gang raped by 12 men in front of their partners while the other woman managed to escape. Their partners were then tied up and drowned in a dam in Kensington, Johannesburg. This is such a disgusting and dreadful attack that cannot be overlooked. The law enforcement officials must hunt those involved and bring them to book for the terrible attack they have committed. At times like this, we find ourselves calling for the return of death sentence towards the criminals because of such incidents. It is such a horrific society we live in. Humans have turned into monsters towards their very own. UDEMWO would also like to convey a message of condolence to the deceased families and wishes a speedy recovery to the affected women. The quietness of the Women’s Ministry is deafening.
