Admin
24 Nov, 1997
Futile summit by opposition parties
Statement issued by Roelf Meyer Over the recent past, the idea of closer co-operation between opposition parties in our country, has been mooted a couple of times. This idea has to be exposed for the futile exercise in hopelessness it essentially is now that the NP has announced plans to hold such a summit early next year. These ‘plans’ are essentially similar to proposals the DP has made earlier and can be interpreted either as a concerted effort by the two parties to get such a summit off the ground, or a hijacking by the NP of a DP initiative. Fact is that efforts on these lines will be futile if the crucial issue, namely a restructuring of our politics, is not addressed. The bigger picture is that South African parliamentary politics is presently being conducted along racial lines, with the essentially ‘white’ parties in no position to threaten the majority, essentially ‘black’ party, notwithstanding attempts by the ‘white’ parties to rearrange themselves. These efforts will rather increase the racial polarisation by being interpreted as a ganging up against the ANC, even if attempts to draw in the IFP, which is regarded as a Zulu traditional niche party, is successful. These attempts will be futile in changing the present numbers game in our politics. Without successfully increasing their support bases, the combined support of the parliamentary opposition parties will not even reach 25% according to recent polling figures. This is an even more emasculated opposition than at present. The only viable answer is to restructure the politics out of the present racial rut and present South Africans from all communities with political parties that appeal on grounds of their values, visions and policies rather than the racial ticket. This means that parties need to shed the image and baggage that presently prevent members from other communities to vote for them. The NP and DP, for example, will never in their present forms be able to attract meaningful black support. This is the political reality around which the NP and DP are conducting their futile egg-dances. Without making this paradigm shift, they are destined to become withering niche parties with nothing more than curiosity value. The parties will therefore have to reinvent themselves. The NP cannot expect black support for itself as a party or its idea of an opposition summit while clamouring for consolidation of its (essentially white) support base. The UDM was born as a result of the determination to present to South Africans a party free from historical baggage, with sound core values and well-grounded policy positions suited to the needs of the real South Africa. It has already proved itself by attracting support from literary all communities in the country. It is at present the only party able to draw substantial support in ANC strongholds, as illustrated by rallies in the Eastern Cape, where 20 000 supporters attended, the North West Province, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. While the DP and NP are busy rearranging the deckchairs on their political Titanic, the UDM is building a substantial party on its vision of a party for all South Africans, aiming at making South Africa a winning nation to the benefit of all her people.
Admin
20 Nov, 1997
Roelf Meyer visits PW Botha
Statement by UDM Media Manager on behalf of Roelf Meyer This morning I visited Mr PW Botha at his home in Wilderness. It was a private visit that was already arranged two months ago to coincide with my visit to the Southern Cape and Mr Botha’s availability. The visit had no connection with Mr Botha’s present relations with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, although the issue did come up during our discussions. It needs to be noted that Bantu Holomisa and I have always been of the opinion that co-operation with the TRC is imperative in order to uncover the full perspective of the past. With this in mind, the UDM will seek to play a role, if possible, to find a solution to the present impasse between Mr Botha and the Commission. Mr Botha undoubtedly possesses information of infinite value for the Commission to be able to fill in its picture of the past. The challenge will now be to determine the best possible way in which this transaction can be accomplished. Legal steps, under the circumstances, may not be the ideal solution, resulting only in further alienation.
Admin
16 Nov, 1997
Freedom Front leader joins UDM
Statement by UDM Media Manager A regional leader of the Freedom Front, Mr Danie Theron, has resigned and joined the UDM of Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer. He was chairman of the Pretoria South East Region of the FF. His decision, he said, was based on the increasing racialisation of our politics and the fact that parliamentary opposition does not seem to be able to garner adequate support to be any threat to the ANC. ‘More and more people realise that ethnic-based parties such as the FF and NP will never be able to draw the numbers necessary for taking them into government. It is high time that South Africans of all walks of life, over ethnic and cultural boundaries, take hands to end crime and create economic growth, job opportunities and racial harmony,’ he explained. The political playing field has changed, he said, and a new, fresh approach is necessary to unite South Africans and create a new patriotism in order to face our socio-economic challenges in a responsible way. ‘I can totally identify with the vision of Roelf Meyer and Bantu Holomisa and shall assist in realising it. I believe the UDM could be the official opposition after the 1999 elections’, Mr Theron said.
Admin
05 Nov, 1997
ANC’s disinformation campaign against the UDM
Statement by UDM Media Manager Gauteng MEC Ms Jessie Duarte has accused the UDM of being involved in violence on the East and West Rand and implicated the party with training paramilitary units. This is, of course, utter nonsense. The UDM is a democratic party. We reject violence in all forms as means to obtain political power. We have done so emphatically in the past. We have made it clear beyond any doubt that there is no room in the UDM whatsoever for perpetrators of violence. We believe in democracy and we believe in peace. Let there be no misunderstanding about this. If Ms Duarte has any concrete evidence of violence or paramilitary training anywhere in Gauteng, we expect her as political head of the SAPS in Gauteng to make the evidence public and prosecute the perpetrators. As a person of integrity, we know that she will not willingly be tempted into becoming part of a cheap campaign of political disinformation. In recognising her lapse of judgement, we are confident that she will now either substantiate her claims, or keep quiet. The UDM again emphasises that it is not connected to any such accusations and has no knowledge whatsoever of any such information. If people are prosecuted in the process, and some of them are indeed identified as members of the UDM, their membership will immediately be nullified. The UDM does not condone or plan violence in any form, and does not entertain perpetrators of violence. Fact of the matter is that violence in these areas is not a new phenomenon. It existed years before the launch of the UDM. It can, in fact, be traced back to the pre-1994 actions of the ANC aligned SDU’s. A number of ANC leaders have since unsuccessfully tried to put an end to this monster they have spawned themselves. To accuse the UDM now, is nothing but a crude attempt to shift blame. Ms Cheryl Carolus, acting Secretary-General of the ANC, has also tried to sow suspicion against the UDM by trying to paint a picture of connivance and secret dealings regarding the backgrounds of Messrs. Holomisa, Meyer and Spaarwater. Again there is no evidence to back up the flimsy, opportunistic and half-baked allegations. Mr Spaarwater was indeed an official in National Intelligence, but also in Constitutional Development, where he played a major part in setting the scene for the constitutional negotiations leading to our democratic elections in 1994. He was involved in the first meetings between the previous government and the ANC, specifically Mr Thabo Mbeki. He was furthermore no supporter of the governing party at the time, and indeed left the DP to join the UDM. The public will recognise this for the smear campaign it is, born out of apparent panic and a bullying mindset. This is exactly the kind of political attitude that belongs to the past. Let us rather look at the future and use our energy to build South Africa into the great nation that we can, and want to, be.
Admin
04 Nov, 1997
UDM: New Party Structures
Statement by UDM Interim National Management Committee of the UDM The Interim National Management Committee of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) met for the first time yesterday, after the launch of the party on 27 September 1997. At the meeting, a number of issues were discussed. Provinces reported back on progress made during the first month in business, the positive state of the membership drive and progress made in establishing branches of the UDM. This wide report indicated positively on the fact that the UDM is already – after being in operation for just a month now – functioning as a party on the national level. Management positions were also approved for the UDM’s National Office. These appointments are: Director: Management Services Annelizé van Wyk; Treasurer Takis Christodoulou; Director: Research Joel Mafenya; Director: Policy Development Maritz Spaarwater; Director: Provincial Organisation & Development Kobus du Plessis. The UDM furthermore strategised around several important political issues. The ongoing violence in KwaZulu-Natal received special attention. The UDM finds this continuous violence totally unacceptable and considers it a serious threat to the process of democracy. The UDM leadership will consider visiting some of these hot spots on a fact-finding mission. Serious concern was raised by the Committee on the apparent lack of ability or will of the government to normalise the situation.
Admin
28 Oct, 1997
Student turmoil at Parliament
Statement by Roelf Meyer The incident where students voiced their grievances from the parliamentary gallery, displayed a crudeness and an unacceptable lack of discipline that the UDM repudiates in the strongest terms. This is exactly the kind of counter-productive and repellent behaviour which actually does a disservice to the cause of the perpetrators. What is true, though, is that Government should heed the cultural needs and problems of communities in South Africa. This incident was about the perceived nonchalance from Government to enforce the constitutional rights in this case of the Afrikaans language. Government should do well to listen to the voices of all cultural communities and to see to it that their rights are scrupulously guarded. The notion by any cultural community of expressing themselves in political terms, however, is unfortunate and one that does not bode well in a multi-cultural country. Cultural expression is a group activity, but any attempt to form a political grouping around cultural unity, is an alienating process which does not serve the cause of the cultural group or the interest of the country.
Admin
28 Oct, 1997
Unsuccessful coup d’etat in Zambia
Statement issued by UDM Media Manager The UDM supports the Government wholeheartedly in its condemnation of the attempted coup d’etat in Zambia. In a democracy, there should be no other option of changing government, than through the ballot. The UDM will always assist towards establishing and supporting democracy as wide as possible, both nationally and internationally.
Admin
26 Oct, 1997
UDM Rally in Rustenburg
Statement by Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer In Rustenburg this afternoon, Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer, joint leaders of the UDM, addressed 3 000 supporters at a rally organised by the North West provincial structures of the UDM. Amidst cheering and numerous vivas! from the crowd, Holomisa stressed the importance of the UDM’s economic policy in closing the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ by taking care of the huge national problem of unemployment. Regarding the relationship between the mine workers’ union Mouthpiece and the UDM, he reiterated the Movement’s position that no alliance between the UDM and any workers’ union is presently on the cards. He stressed, however, that individual members of unions are ‘most welcome’ to join the UDM. He added that there are also members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) who have already joined the UDM. This, he said, will likely be to remain the official policy of the UDM until after the national elections of 1999. He also criticised the mine workers’ violence in the North West Province, stressing the need for a peaceful settlement of grievances. Roelf Meyer criticised the national Parliament for the procedures adopted in voting the Promotion of Multi-Party Democracy Bill through the parliamentary committee on Constitutional Affairs. The Bill aims at providing and regulating state funding for political parties, and makes provision only for those parties already represented in Parliament. It is, Meyer said, ‘further gravy for the existing gravy train.’ Although the UDM had requested an opportunity to make an oral representation, arguing that the effect of the Bill will be to keep the playing field as uneven as possible against those not yet represented in Parliament, this request was handled in such a way that it virtually gave the UDM little if any chance of participating in the debate. ‘It is understandable that parties represented in the Committee would feel threatened by a newcomer with the clear potential to unsettle their support bases’, he said. ‘What is unacceptable and reprehensible, however, is that an institution of Parliament should assist the parties’ obstruction by denying access to the UDM through its highly dubious procedural arrangements.’ He put on record the UDM’s strongest protest against these arrangements, adding that it is no permanent set-back, as the UDM will definitely be represented in Parliament after 1999. At a media conference at the conclusion of the rally, Holomisa appealed for an independent commission of inquiry into violence on the mines, which should exclude government, because the NUM as a government ally should already be represented. The terms of reference of the Commission should be look at the circumstances surrounding the violence and how best to manage the situation. Get the politicians out of the way, he said, also referring to President Mandela’s unsuccessful attempts to broker peace in this field. Referring to the PAC’s Patricia de Lille’s revelation of top-notch ANC politicians as ‘apartheid spies’, Holomisa commended her for her courage, adding that the ANC handled the matter in a very doubtful way. Roelf Meyer explained that the policies of the UDM are at present being fleshed out, and that the final policy positions should find the best and most effective answers for South Africa’s most pressing problems. We should set ourselves a target of finding these answers and making South Africa a world-class nation in ten years’ time, he said. In this, he added, government is not showing any clear direction. Policy-wise, GEAR can’t be faulted, but it is not working down to grassroots level. GEAR is good, he said, but where are the jobs? There is also no proper delivery of crucial services throughout the country, he added. Holomisa attacked the way in which the ANC government is managing the important issue of privatisation. For three years now, he said, government has been talking about the issue, and if this process is to continue in the way it is doing at present, ‘we are going the mortgage the country by 1999.’ Responding to a question, Holomisa said that he believes that there was an ANC clique behind his ousting from the ANC. This clique, he added, ‘exploited Madiba’s kindness’ in getting the President to act against him.
Admin
16 Sep, 1997
The integrity of the new party
Statement by Roelf Meyer The new political party to be launched on 27 September will endeavour to designate the problem of civil order as one of the highest priority for South Africa. This would include making our society criminal-hostile to the greatest possible extent, rooting out corruption and fostering national moral regeneration. In order to achieve these goals, the protection of the integrity of the party and its membership needs to be a top priority. We simply cannot endeavour to occupy the moral high ground and simultaneously harbour potential criminals in our midst. To this end we are formulating a code of conduct for our members and representatives. It follows that no-one who may be in a position to compromise the integrity of the party by his or her association, should be allowed as members. Anyone with a pending court case against them should, until such time as he or she is acquitted by court, refrain from associating him or herself with the party. Applying these criteria, it follows that Sifiso Nkabinde and Lucas Mangope will not be in a position to join the new party until such time as their pending court cases have run their respective courses.
Admin
30 Aug, 1997
UDM: Preparatory conference: 30 August 1997
statement issued by NMP Media Manager Representatives of the provincial co-ordinating structures and the national office of the New Movement Process met in Bloemfontein yesterday for a national preparatory conference to report back on the country-wide consultation process and to prepare for the launch of the new party on September 27, 1997. The conference marked the end of the three month long consultation process where ideas and inputs from thousands of South Africans were garnered in order to inform on the need for a new political party, and the points of departure, policy framework and vision and mission of such a party. A report back on these was done by the provincial representatives and summarised by Roelf Meyer. In preparation for the national launch on 27 September, the following resolutions were unanomously and enthusiastically adopted by the conference: To support the establishment of a new political party on 27 September 1997, jointly with the National Consultative Forum, with a view to assuming the responsibility of governing the Republic of South Africa at the earliest opportunity. To mandate the leader of the New Movement Process (NMP), Mr Roelf Meyer, to lead the NMP into the formation of the new party on 27 September 1997. To nominate Mr Roelf Meyer and Gen Bantu Holomisa to jointly lead the new party until its first full congress, which is to be held not later than 30 June, 1998. To mandate the joint leadership to decide on the name, symbols and colours of the new party. That any political party wishing to join the new party on 27 September 1997, should disband beforehand. Their members can then join the new party as individuals. The leader of the National Consultative Forum, Gen Bantu Holomisa, joined the conference with a message from the NCF, which was received with acclaim. The entire conference expressed its extreme excitement and enthusiasm for the launching of the new party: Throughout South Africa there is a spirit of anticipation for a realignment in politics, which is also one of the main objectives for launching the new party.
Admin
26 Aug, 1997
Retirement of Mr FW de Klerk
Statement by Roelf Meyer The announcement by Mr FW de Klerk came as quite a surprise. Together with the whole of South Africa, we want to thank him today for the courage and vision that he displayed in 1990, which have helped to lift our country out of the rut of the past and put it on the road towards democratisation. For that, our country will remember him for ever. After 1994, it became increasingly clear that the National Party could not carry through the transformation in South African politics, in spite of good intentions. Mr De Klerk’s retirement gives further momentum to the restructuring of the South African political landscape and I have no doubt that many more people will now reconsider their political positions. Regarding the NP, this situation will now probably have the effect of speeding up the movement towards provincialisation and marginalisation. I can wholly understand Mr De Klerk’s decision not to lead the NP any longer, and wish him well on his retirement.
Admin
22 Aug, 1997
NP legal action against Pretoria councillors
Statement issued by NMP Media Manager The following observations can be made regarding court procedures started by the National Party against the 8 Pretoria councillors who have joined the New Movement Process: It is contravening the policy of the NP, namely that provision must be made in the Constitution allowing elected representatives to exercise their own free will regarding party loyalties. Mr De Klerk himself has, on a number of occasions, requested that the anti defection clause be scrapped. It creates a climate of non-participation with the NP court cases alienate people. It contravenes the promotion of multi-party democracy and the promises by the NP itself that it will work together to create a realignment of the political scene. It leaves the impression that the NP is only concerned about its own interests and only wants to restructure politics on its own terms. It is clear that something drastically needs to be done to restructure the political scene. Dissatisfaction with the ANC nonwithstanding, no opposition party has been able to achieve any gains from the situation. Results of the latest survey conducted by the HSRC, confirm this: ANC support has dropped to 53%, but the opposition has even fared worse, with a grand total of only 21%. The only solution is therefore to strengthen multi-party democracy by creating a new political formation. This is exactly what the NMP is busy doing. It is incidentally also the decision the 10 Pretoria councillors have reached, in line with the broad interest of South Africa. The moment this happened, the NP again lapsed into its style of practising politics through litigation. What is also significant, is the apparent division in the NP’s own ranks. At the end of July, subsequent to final decisions on the Executive Council posts in the Pretoria council, Mr Sam de Beer and myself were discussing the NMP proposal, namely that the NP should retain chairmanship of the Exec Council. It then came to light, though, that the NP has already reached an agreement with the ANC, in terms of which the NP will lose the chairmanship. The question is: Who managed these negotiations? Whilst discussions were again initiated between Mr De Beer and myself during the past couple of days, the process of issuing the court orders was continued. Again it leaves the impression that there is division in NP ranks. The NMP has all the time been of the opinion that we must look at the future regarding restructuring of politics and contributing to multi-party democracy. It is therefore counter-productive to launch any action to the detriment of opposition parties and to the benefit of the ANC. This was also the view of the NMP councillors, and I reject emphatically the allegation that their actions have benefited the ANC. If the NP wants to test voter opinion under present circumstances, an ideal opportunity presents itself with the coming election for Students’ Representative Council at the University of Pretoria. The election is held on party political base. During 1996, the NP participated and did the best from all political parties. This year, the NP has failed to even nominate any candidates, evidently because of lack of interest.
Admin
19 Aug, 1997
Meetings with the UCDP
Statement by NMP Media Manager The Technical Committee of the New Movement Process, the National Consultative Forum and the United Christian Democratic Party has met for a few times and has now completed its assignment according to its mandate. The NMP and NCF have taken note of the fact that the UCDP is holding a congress to decide on its future. We are, however, still convinced that a fresh start has to be made in South African politics with the launching of the new political party on 27 September 1997. We therefore confirm our viewpoint that the founding members of the new party should be individuals and not any existing political party or parties.
Admin
13 Aug, 1997
Growth of the NMP
Statement by NMP Media Manager Over the past weeks, there has been a spate of elected officials of political parties voicing their support for the New Movement Process. For this we are extremely grateful and excited, because it is a sure indication that the political process we have embarked upon, speaks to the hearts and minds of fellow South Africans from all communities and political persuasions. We want, however, to emphasize that we have no membership drive in place yet. There is no strategy in place to enroll members. The sole focus of our attention is now to launch a successful political party on 27 September 1997. Political parties complaining that the NMP, or Mr Roelf Meyer, is luring away their support or poaching their members, are simply missing the point. Consultative meetings by the NMP are held country wide, with considerable interest from all over. If people decide to voice their support for the NMP or even resign from their existing political affiliations in order to join us, it is simply because they have lost confidence in those parties to provide a political beacon and a home they can believe in. The NMP believes in the political vision it is developing. If people support this, we have no inclination of preventing them from doing so. We welcome all South Africans with South Africa’s interest at heart, to walk the road with us. The choice, in the last instance, is still theirs, not ours.
Admin
12 Aug, 1997
First local council with NMP majority: Graaff-Reinet
Statement by NMP Spokesperson Five councillors serving on the Graaff-Reinet Transitional Representative Council, pledged their support to the New Movement Process yesterday. In this council, 5 of the 6 members are now supporting the NMP, making the New Movement Process the majority grouping in the TRC. It is therefore the first local council in the country with a NMP majority. The councillors have previously been on the ticket of the Graaff-Reinet Alliance, which has won the local election with a 71% majority. The members are: Johan Malherbe, TRC Chairperson Pierre le Grange, TRC Vice-chairperson Peet van Heerden Ms Pat Wallis Ernest Job In Somerset East, Christoffel Schoeman, chairman of the National Party District Council has resigned from the NP last week and joined the NMP. His secretary, Mr Gert Els, has also resigned and joined the NMP yesterday.
Admin
30 Jul, 1997
Media statement by 9 National Party members who joined New Movement Process
We nine members of the Pilanesberg region of the National Party have decided to resign from the NP and join the New Movement Process of Mr Roelf Meyer.; We believe in co-operative government as defined in our Constitution; we want to support a party that belongs in the new South Africa, a non-racial party inspired by our country’s new sense of nationhood, a party which is solution-orientated and not problem-orientated and a party with an eye on the future and not the past. The decision two months ago by NP leader Mr FW de Klerk, to disband the task team on restructuring the party, has finally made it clear to us that the NP did not, and never will, break from the past. We regard this as a clear message to find another avenue to pursue our political goals and beliefs. The way in which the NP is dealing with those who decide to leave the party, as clearly demonstrated in Pretoria with the resignation of councilors from the NP and the branding of Roelf Meyer and others as ‘the enemy’, only reinforces the image of the NP as an aggressive and beleaguered party. In resigning from the NP and joining the NMP, we also want to encourage others remaining hostage in old-style parties in a new-style country, to join us in our mission to help restructuring South African politics in order to focus on the real enemies of our country: joblessness, crime, inferior education and poor housing delivery. We left the NP because we reject the past. We join the NMP because we believe in the future. Stoffel Masebo Gertrude Moatshe Ben Moemedi David Mothlapa Aaron Kgaledi Nkae Pilane Thabo Mosebo (Leader of NP Youth League) Bishop R Makete Benjamin Matlou
Admin
28 Jul, 1997
Reaction: NP’s determination to sue
Statement by Pretoria Councillors of the New Movement Process We have taken note of the National Party’s determination to take us to court on not resigning from the CCP since leaving the party. We are, however, pleased to note that proceedings will not start immediately, and that the opportunity still exist for resolving the issues in an amicable way. We believe in peaceful co-existence and dialogue, rather than confrontation and a situation where party politics tend to take the interests of the residents of our city hostage. We do, however, want to put some of the NP’s remarks in their press release, in perspective: We did not hand over power to the ANC: The ANC is not at present in power in the Pretoria council. It holds 28 seats with the remaining 42 in the hands of the NP, NMP, independents and other parties. If the ANC effectively takes control of the city, it will rather be the result of the NP’s inability to co-operate with other parties, than the actual power base of the ANC itself. It is patently untrue that we have resigned from the NP without any consultation with our electorate. A primary reason for our resignation, has exactly been pressure from our electorate, dissatisfied with reluctance from the NP to live out its vision and mission. We find it surprising that the NP is pursuing this matter with so much vigour: By staunchly opposing the anti-defection clause in the constitution, the NP is supposedly in favour of free movement between political parties. The party accepted members of the Minority Front in KwaZulu-Natal in this spirit, but somehow cannot bring themselves to apply the same principle in Pretoria. We still believe that the interests of the residents of Pretoria can at best be served by councillors working together in a spirit of co-operation to serve those by whom they were elected.
