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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
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22 May, 2020
Covid-19 and government: a worst nightmare for women and children
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is deeply perturbed by how life is turning out for many South Africans, especially women, as we daily hear of large numbers of retrenchments, due to the Covid-19 lockdown. This is hitting very hard in the cases of sole family-breadwinners. It was recently reported that there is a spike in child abandonment, which is attributed to the desperate choices of parents who are in the throes of financial hardship as the country experiences unimpeded job losses. According to Premier David Makhura, Gauteng, on its own, may lose about two million jobs, which means that child abandonment will likely increase. As much as it is good that abused women and children can contact the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre for assistance, children could be far more vulnerable as they have less resources, emotionally and physically, to make that life-saving call. UDEMWO is also worried that the government departments, which are supposed to look after South Africa’s most vulnerable, are failing them dismally. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is the worst of them all, with shoddy service and poor communication around processes and forms. In addition, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu seems to not have her facts straight as she recently appealed for the distribution of food-parcels to not be politicised, yet this is exactly what the ruling party is being accused of lately, with evidence of this floating all over social media. There is something very wrong with this entire picture, as government seems to not realise how its inefficient systems are negatively affecting the poorest of the poor, who are fighting for their very existence. Government is not providing effective leadership and services where this is concerned. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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20 May, 2020
UDEMWO rejects reopening of schools
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) rejects the reopening of schools, on 1 June 2020 for Grade 7 and 12 learners, as announced yesterday by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga and so approved by the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC). The fact that the Minister herself had said that she cannot assure parents that there is no danger of infection, is proof that her department does not have a proper plan in place. We are concerned about the safety of both teachers and learners, especially in disadvantaged schools across South Africa. This move is a gamble with our children’s lives. The Minister also confirmed that a number of schools were either burnt or vandalised over the past two months, which makes the situation even worse. The UDEMWO calls on the Department of Basic Education and the NCCC to review this decision as the confirmed cases of Covid-19 are rapidly increasing on a daily basis. We realise the importance of education, but we cannot put the lives of future South African leaders in danger by taking them back to classrooms at this point in time. We have seen what happened in France where, within a week of reopening schools, they have reported 70 new Coronavirus cases. In South Africa, private schools could fairly safely reopen simply because they have fewer learners per class, but what about our overcrowded public schools where social distancing is not possible. Minister Motshekga must act like a parent in this matter. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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12 May, 2020
Unfair food parcel distribution: the ANC’s greediness is worrisome
The United Democratic Movement is disheartened by how government and SASSA are keeping quiet about African National Congress (ANC) officials, members and/or councillors unfairly distributing food parcels to the needy in various communities throughout South Africa. In some areas, food parcels are given to people along party affiliation. The ANC’s inhumane greediness is worrisome, as it is now common to read or hear about ruling party leaders, members and/or councillors being implicated in food-parcel corruption, with very little said or done by the party to stop this. The video circulating on social media of the deputy speaker of Mpumalanga’s provincial legislature, Vusi Mkhatshwa, delivering food parcels to his house is a total disgrace, especially since he is a senior government official. The ruling party by its own admission had agreed in many platforms that cadre deployment is not taking the country forward, yet it continues to allow its members to play crucial roles in our society, like distributing food parcels, during this challenging time of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, members of our communities are starving, yet, the state has done nothing to address this problem. The UDM calls on President Ramaphosa, and the ruling party, to take the nation into confidence about the numbers of government officials, ANC leaders, members or councillors that have been found wanting and also indicate what steps have been taken against them. The UDM is afraid that if no steps are taken against the suspected culprits, the R500 billion secured to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic will go down the drain, just like what happened with some of the funds that were meant to assist with the funeral of our world icon, former President Nelson Mandela. Once bitten, twice shy. Issued By: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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30 Apr, 2020
UDEMWO: Children going to school: is government really ready for this massive operation?
As we are amid the battle against the Coronavirus, we have heard government saying that strict health guidelines have been drawn up regarding the operation of schools, including limiting pupils to 40 in a class, compulsory mask-wearing and the sanitisation of hands, classrooms and scholar transport. However, since the number of infections is rising on a daily basis, even considering recoveries, how did government arrive at the decision to open schools so soon? The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) therefore calls on Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga to take the country, and parents, into confidence on whether her department is ready and able (financially and practically) to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for each and every school; for each and every child; each and every day. We have heard disconcerting stories that government cannot even provide enough PPE at our healthcare institutions, never mind institutions of learning! This especially is a massive concern for scholars in disadvantaged areas, where parents struggle to provide food for their children and PPE is financially out of reach. There are a number of other concerns, such as, how the department is going to resolve scholar transport? Children, under “normal circumstances”, are wrongly loaded into vehicles like sardines, how on earth will it be feasible to transport thousands of children, considering the need for social distancing? What control measures are going to be put in place to maintain social distancing during breaks? Also, if no more than two pupils should share a desk, how is government going to handle schools that have large volumes of school-goers? Even though we realise that lockdown and partial lockdown (level 4) is eating away at the school year, UDEMWO is of the view that government may be jumping the gun in opening schools. At this rate, we are running a real risk of allowing the Coronavirus to run rampant through our communities by opening schools at this point in time. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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25 Apr, 2020
UDM’s reaction Finance Minister’s briefing on the economic stimulus package
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has listened with interest to the details that Finance Minister Tito Mboweni announced as part of South Africa’s response to the economic havoc the Coronavirus has wrought. He appears to have clarity of thought with regards to the economic policy interventions required, but the proof will be in the pudding where execution is concerned. The UDM is pleased to hear that the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB) has been tasked to play a more central role in the R200 billion loan guarantee scheme. This is in line with our view that the SARB has a critical role to play in providing facilities to commercial banks in order for them to use such facilities for targeted sectors of the economy, such as small and medium enterprises, as part of a broader “Coronavirus Pandemic Response Programme”. We however reiterate our view that there still is scope for an expansionary monetary policy and that the central bank should further reduce the interest rate to provide South Africans with much needed relief. We had earlier suggested that insurers be brought on board, and we therefore welcome Minister Mboweni’s announcement that insurance companies will have to put in place a set of measures so that policy holders are not penalised for missing premium payments. It is however a pity that Minister Mboweni did not consider our suggestion, of a three-month moratorium on bond, car and other loan payments, which the UDM made earlier this week. We still feel that banks are in too much of a position of power as they have the discretion to say no to desperate loan holders who are struggling to meet their payments due to the economic impact of the Coronavirus lockdown. Another aspect the UDM believes should be considered is the fact that South Africans are going to experience serious cash-flow problems and it would be good if, for three months, no debit orders are reversed due to insufficient funds. A stay on bank account closures, due to bad bank account conduct, as well as bank fees would give our people a reprieve. In light of the fact that government will be reprioritising R130 billion within the current budget it is common cause that the minister will have to table a revised budget and we look forward to that. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
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06 Mar, 2020
UDEMWO welcomes the forensic report of Enoch Mpianzi
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the forensic report of Enoch Mpianzi. The Gauteng MEC of Education Mr Phanyaza Lesufi has done a sterling job to make sure those that are implicated are brought to book timeously including the Headmaster of Parktown Boys. Though this will not bring closure to the Mpianzi family, but it is a warning to many more schools that Nyathi lodge is not a befitting camping site as Enoch is the fifth pupil to die there while taking part in a water activity. This institution should be closed as it has become a death-trap for our children. The Parktown Boys High School Governing Body’s silence is too loud, it raises so much concern, not only to the parents of children at the school but to South Africa as a whole. The UDEMWO would like to thank the South African Human Rights Commission for stepping in on this pernicious case and assisting the Mpianzi’s family when they had no one else to turn to. We hope this type of negligence will not happen to any of our schools, this should be a lesson learnt to everyone in the Education fraternity. Educators should treat leaners as their own children. Once again, To the Mpianzi’s Family. May you be comforted. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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05 Mar, 2020
Yearly protests at higher learning institutions is cause for much concern
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDMYV) notes with concern the year-in-year-out students’ protests about acceptance at higher learning institutions, registration fees, transport allowances and accommodation. We have seen quite disturbing scenes of frustrated students from, for example, the University of Zululand and the University of the Witwatersrand. The UDMYV is of the view that a serious lack of leadership on government’s part gives rise to this yearly phenomenon. This dearth of leadership affects universities’ planning and has the knock-on-effect of an unproductive academic year. It is unfortunate that the youth of South Africa have become lambs to the slaughter, because the government of the day has no clue whatsoever in dealing with the issues affecting us. The country has just slipped into a recession and clearly government has to go back to the drawing board if one considers the budget recently tabled by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni. If government continues on this track, the UDMYV is worried that the future of every young South African is bleak; thus making the future of the country even bleaker. The UDMYV calls on all young people to unite and remove this incompetent government in future elections. South Africa needs capable leadership that looks to the future from the youth’s perspective. – end – Issued by: Mr Yongama Zigebe UDMYV Gauteng Secretary
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26 Feb, 2020
Beastly behaviour at higher learning institutions
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is extremely shocked at the beastly behaviour of students at the University of Fort Hare. Hardly a month has passed since Yonela Boli was allegedly slain by his girlfriend at this very same institution, and it has come to UDEMWO’s attention that Olwethu Tshefu was the key witness to the murder of Yonela Boli. He was also allegedly killed, over the weekend, by his girlfriend. What is surprising is that, according to reports (Daily Dispatch), these two victims were friends. In a country that is fighting gender-based violence, one might believe that the tables have been turned; it is now females against males. What has our nation become? It is clear that our society is sick. We have been made to understand that, in most cases, these young students are killing each other over petty things under the influence of alcohol. So much has happened since the beginning of this year, so many lives have been lost, yet one life lost, is one too many. Parents send their children to universities to be educated and not to be killed. There is very little done by university managements and the Department of Higher Education to curb the scourge. South African citizens have had enough of talk shows and lip service by President Cyril Ramaphosa. It is clear that the President and his government have no solution to this predicament, hence UDEMWO calls for an imbizo of all stakeholders to find a solution. We cannot have this untenable situation to continue at our institutions of higher learning. UDEMWO would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the family of Olwethu Tshefu, May their precious son’s soul rest in eternal peace. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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20 Feb, 2020
Violent protests at universities: why is Dr Nzimande quiet?
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned that the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology is quite reticent when the country needs his attention the most. Since the beginning of the academic year, there has been unrest in a number of South African universities like the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Central University of Technology in the Free State and others. These crises have been met with Dr Blade Nzimande’s deafening silence. The nationwide outcry of unhappy students, as some who qualify for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) support are denied their benefits, is disconcerting. This whilst Dr Nzimande has made a promise that students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those who are from families that earn a gross income of up to R350,000 annually, would automatically be accepted for NSFAS support. What is currently taking place is different from what the minister said three weeks ago at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research where he addressed political parties. Who is in-charge of this higher education portfolio? Why are the vice-chancellors of these universities using different approaches with regards to NSFAS? All and sundry have seen the videos circulating on social media with extremely disturbing scenes of buildings being burnt down and attacks on campus security personnel. The UDM deplores this totally wrong and unacceptable behaviour. What the perpetrators of this violence don’t seem to realise is that rehabilitation will take some years, and that this will negatively affect the future of our youth. The UDM calls on Minister Nzimande to speedily attend to the outcries of the students; these are our future leaders and they deserve better than a passive, seemingly don’t care minister. – end — Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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10 Feb, 2020
Dissent voices on SOEs by top leadership is disheartening!
The United Democratic Movement takes note on contradicting statements issued over the weekend by the President of the ruling party and his National Person on the ailing state-owned entity the South African airways. The President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa insisted that SAA will not be sold or shut down and within hours the chairperson, Mr Gwede Mantashe told the nation that this entity should be shut down if it does not make profit. The ANC recently had a lekgotla, and they had promised the nation that the issue at SAA was going to be discussed, but from these statements one may conclude that there was no discussion, if there was, no agreement was reached as to how this important would be made viable. If it is like this at SAA, what about the other SOE’s? Seemingly the ruling party does not have a strategy to make these SOE’s to operate as companies that sustain themselves. The ANC is in the about what needs to be done to save these SOEs. This might be the reason why the rescuing practitioners of SAA are now dictating terms on how the entity should operate hence certain domestic and international routes had to be abruptly stopped without the approval government. This has turned South Africa a banana republic. The State Owned Enterprises need a decisive leadership and intervention not what it is being heard, that is, dissenting voices of the senior leaders of the ruling party and the government. The majority if not all SOEs are currently in the Intensive-care unit (ICU), they are not making any profit. These SOEs are supposed to be contributing to the GDP of the country yet they are a liability. This is a biggest shame. How long will the hard-earned money of taxpayer’s money keep saving these SOEs? The problem with ruling party is for it to admit that cadre deployment is killing these SOEs and it is afraid to take drastic actions as it does not want to lose support from their comrades who are somehow being compensated for failing to make it to parliament or provincial legislatures. This must stop if South Africa is be made a winning nation. Issued by: Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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05 Feb, 2020
UDM Youth Vanguard is disgusted by bully tendencies of the DA
For far too long, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has used every nefarious political tactic to tarnish the image and reputation of the of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and Comrade Mongameli Bobani with baseless accusations. The smear campaign against Mr Bobani started during the days of Athol Trollip and Mmusi Maimane without evidence. They continued to label Bobani as corrupt thereby indirectly saying the UDM is corrupt tarnishing its name without a just cause. DA claimed to have instructed Price Water Coopers to investigate Bobani and there were no findings that implicated Bobani that suggest he had been involved in any corrupt activities. Still under the little stunt of the leadership by John Steenhuisen the attack against Bobani continues. The UDMYV is not going to sit back and watch its mother-body being dragged to the mud by anyone in the DA. The DA must provide the UDM with proof of whatever wrongdoing by Bobani so that it can act. Mr Bobani has been subjected to unfair practices by the Hawks when they raided his home and his office during his tenure as the Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. The hawks could not find anything committed by Bobani which against the law of the country. This must stop and time is now! John Steenhuisen, Mr Judas as affectionately called by his previous leader Mmusi Maimane must focus on leading the DA which is marred with racial tensions. He must show young South Africans that the DA is indeed an agent of transformation and not a racist organisation. Issued by: Yongama Zigebe UDMYV Gauteng Secretary
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31 Jan, 2020
Postponement of lower data prices is a justice denied
The UDM Youth Vanguard is in awe at the extension of the deadline that was initially two months for network operators to reduce data costs. If these network operators were interested in reducing data, they could have done so within the timeframe the Competition Commission had set. Calls for reduction of data prices were not a new thing when the Commission tabled their report in December,2019. This clarion call has been around for years. In the previous State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that data will fall, yet it remained relatively high as network operators did not take him seriously. The Competition Commission should have strengthened their hand instead of eating from the palm of the corporations and enforced them to adhere to the deadlines, failing to do so harsh punishments should be instituted instead the Commission has extended the deadline by a month. This is unacceptable as South Africans have waited for far too long. Actions should have been taken long-time ago to enforce these so-called giants network operators to drop these high data prices. The UDMYV is not happy at all. This is yet another failed promise to desperate people who rely on usage of data. Affordable data prices are not negotiable but a must! Issued by: Masonwabe Nqawe UDM YOUTH VANGUARD WESTERN CAPE
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29 Jan, 2020
Free education a reality or a dream deferred
In December 2017 on the evening of the ANC Conference, South African youth woke up to news that free higher education was finally a reality as the then President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma declared. These news were greatly received with jubilation hence fees must fall activists thought they finally won the long war that has seen many young people lose their lives and others like Khanya Cekeshe activists incarcerated for a cause they so much believed in. The fees must fall campaign saw many violent attacks and blood was shed as the ANC government was very sluggish in responding to the cries of young people who so wants to be educated in-order for them to be formidable players in all economic activities. It was the same Minister Blade Nzimande who was at the helm of the Department of Higher Education and Training then and he is still today as we see yet another historical National shutdown. This is really Minister Nzimande’s legacy in this ministry, every time he holds this position in this particular department there emanates chaos as young people feel that what he says and what is happening on the ground do not talk to each other. The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard is of the view that there are no measures in place, plans to curb such from re-occurring, year in year out there are these shutdowns of higher learning institutions. Clearly there’s no preventative work done, and the DHET get surprised when each academic year resumes. The Youth Vanguard lamented the appointment of Minister Nzimande into DHET and all those cries and of many young South Africans fell on deaf ears as our President felt obligated to appease his comrades, factions within the ANC and tripartite alliance above the interest of the country. This is costing the country dearly. What young people are fighting for are not new demands or needs they’ve been there for years and we have called for action and decisive leadership and nothing has emanated. The UDM Youth Vanguard proposes that there should be a synergy between the two departments of lower and higher Education, since the latter seemed to not know how to prepare for the in-take of matriculants that have passed each year. These two departments are required to work closely together. Selling out the youth dreams is a gross human rights violation. A country that does not take care of its youth is a country with no future. The way things are, the ruling party will be judged negatively by history. Issued by: Yongama Zigebe UDMYV Gauteng Secretary
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27 Jan, 2020
Enough is Enough: Laticia Jansen
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation is totally flabbergasted with the ongoing behaviour of violence within schoolers in South Africa. Every day, every week, we wake up to devastating news of yet another learner that has lost a life. This has become a norm in our society, with so many questions left unanswered. Sending your children to school to get education nowadays simply means you are sending them straight to death, isn’t “Education the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world?” Clearly it is not, if death of our children is the price. The UDEMWO calls on the School-governing bodies and serve its purpose thoroughly, what we are witnessing at the moment as South Africans is pure disaster, the SGBs are failing dismally. Our children spend most of the day at school, The Educators should take full responsibility of what happens to them, In Leticia’s case the school transport driver that left her behind is as guilty murderers. He must be apprehended as soon as possible. The UDEMWO calls on all school to have control measures when it comes to picking up scholars, and if the scholar isn’t boarded on the transport, the teachers and the parents should be made aware. The government should take these cases serious as this is getting out of hand by day. To the Jansen family; We send our heartfelt condolences. May your precious princess rest in eternal peace. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary
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24 Jan, 2020
Signing of indemnity in schools must be reviewed: Enoch Mpianzi’s incident
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation is as shocked as President Cyril Ramaphosa would be, at the total negligence at Parktown Boys High, where a young boy named Enoch Mpianzi lost his life during their trip at Ngathi River and Bush lodge. We ask ourselves a question, why there was no roll call before the children stepped into the bus and at the site before resuming activities. This type of negligence leaves much to be desires and it is totally unacceptable. The UDEMWO calls all stakeholders to take their task serious, for example; the teachers should take full responsibility for the children. This brings us to the question of indemnity! Why parents must sign indemnity when children embark on school outings? What is the role of the teachers during school outings? By signing the indemnity, parents are signing death warranties for their children as the teachers shack their responsibility and leave the children to their own peril. UDEMWO calls for the signing of indemnity in schools to be reviewed as this puts the lives of the children at risk with no one taking responsibility. Children are entrusted to the teachers and teachers should be held accountable. The UDEMWO calls on all involved to be held accountable and legal actions to be taken to serve as an example to all others in the profession. We are saddened by this incident, we send our warmest and deepest condolences to the Mpianzi’s family. Issued by: Thandi Nontenja UDMWO Secretary General
Admin
23 Jan, 2020
Justice for Sibongile Nkhwashu
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disgusted by the acts of South African men who have no respect for women’s lives. In the previous year, we have seen women die at the hands of men. It is 22 days into the new year, and we wake up to shocking and devastating news of yet another young woman who has been brutally murdered by her boyfriend. The question lingers “What has happened to the moral compass of the South African male?’. These thugs do not deserve to be called men, because real men do not abuse nor do they take life. Intern Dr Sibongile Nkhwashu’s life was cut short by an animal who goes around calling himself a man, a life that was supposed to be absorbed into the health sector to increase the numbers of much-needed doctors in this country, has been taken away from us because of the degenerate moral compass of her boyfriend. Where should women live and in order to lead safer lives in our society? Femicide robs society of a brighter future; this is totally unacceptable UDEMWO calls for harsh punishment and no bail for the alleged perpetrator and all perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV), we further call on all sectors of society to weigh-in on GBV in order to have a collective and a united voice against it. This is not only a government issue, however a societal issue that needs all our efforts to defeat it. We need safer communities with zero tolerance for crime, members of community working with the police, civil society, religious/faith groups and all stakeholders to curb this scourge. Government should expand and accelerate these interventions and reinforce its work on the 365 days of activism and not just sixteen days. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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22 Jan, 2020
A weird way of Employing teachers in KZN!
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KZN, appeals to the Department of Education in the province, to be cognisant of the ‘transparency’ element in the ‘Batho Pele’ principle when it comes to employment of teachers. The Department has since taken upon itself in employing teachers instead of them being appointed at their respective districts due to “alleged corruption which involved nepotism and bribery”, among other reasons. All teachers seeking positions are required to enter their details on the provincial database, online. The unfortunate part is that nothing gets sent to the applicant which serves as a confirmation of successful registration on the database, other than the pop-up on the screen after a successful registration. Against the fact that, as the UDM, we have spoken to quite a few teachers who are still waiting for more than a year for placements, the UDM registers a concern that in December 2019, there was a facebook notification which was later made a whatsapp message that was circulated, calling for the qualified teachers to present themselves to a private lawyers premises in Pietermaritzburg, whereby the teachers were appointed on the spot. The UDM visited these premises on 14 January 2020 and confirmation was made that teachers were interviewed from those premises and were appointed on the spot. Therefore, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KZN, calls for the Department of Education in the province to explain the purpose and use of the database whereas it uses some private persons to randomly hire teachers from their private premises on its behalf, disregarding the database system that it put in place. The employment system must be transparent. Ends. Statement issued by: Boysey Gumede UDM-KZN Interim Provincial Secretary
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21 Jan, 2020
Dismissal of corrupt managers at the SABC is not enough!
The United Democratic Movement is of the view that the reports that shows the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) has lost 1.5Billion in revenue over the period of 2018/19 is unacceptable to the core. The dismissal and disciplinary measures by the Public broadcaster are not enough punishable measures for the perpetrators. The public has heard enough of this. The SABC, recently got a bailout of 2.1Billion rand for their incompetence, irregular expenditure, irregular discounts and corruption milking the public broadcaster’s purse. These unacceptable practices is continuously putting pressure, load on the public purse to save the corporation. If top management does not play blind into irregularities at the SABC, taxpayers would not have to bail this SOE. Seemingly, the current SABC board is also failing to bring about positive and effective change, the board knew exactly what was happening at the public broadcaster since taking over from infamous Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s board. They promised to bring about change as they claimed to have a turn-around strategy. The South Africans were prepared to give them a sympathetic ear but have been let down again. The UDM call for the Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to be decisive in taking harsh stance and heads must roll at the SABC starting from the board members. We demand that criminal charges be brought forth to all those involved in this corruption with impunity. We need to see them behind bars. The youth of South Africa is yearning for opportunities of employment in order to realise their dreams as producers, presenters and directors at the public broadcaster, however, some greedy individuals are taking away all those dreams from them. The UDM can no longer be by-standers and watch our future becoming bleak every minute. How long will these SOE’s milk South African’s hard earned money that would have been used to create much needed opportunities, building a winning nation with a thriving economy. We are tired of incompetence and it should end now! — end – Issued By: Bongani Msomi UDM SECRETARY GENERAL
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11 Dec, 2019
Access to the internet is a human right!
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard welcomes the Competition Commission call for the South African mobile operator giants Vodacom and MTN to reduce their data charges by 30% to 50% within two months. This has been a call that the UDMYV has made for quite some time, calling for data to fall and allow young people to access jobs, business opportunities, studying purposes, social safety awarenesses and other miscellaneous itinerary. It is unacceptable and business unreasonable to have South African originating mobile network operators selling data at a lower cost in the neighbouring countries than at home. Our local data costs are significantly high consistently marginalizing the unemployed, low income and poverty-stricken young people. Internet allows for more sustainable development and economic participation and if South Africa is serious about growing an all-inclusive economy, now it is the time to walk the talk. Access to Internet is a basic Human Right equivalent and in line with 2.8 Freedom of Expression, 2.14 Freedom of Trade, Occupation and Profession, 2.21 Education, 2.24 Access to Information, etc. Access to Internet means e-commerce, e-business/ e-trading, e-marketing, e-health, e-learning & e-training, e-government, etc and citizens, especially, youth are currently held on captive with the high data tariffs. As a United Nations’ member state, an attendee and participant of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and an adopter of A Call to Action of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 looking at Connecting Africa through World-Class Infrastructure with specific reference to ICT, South Africa is infrastructural and technically behind its promise. The UDMYV calls on Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister Ebrahim Patel and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to carry on expedite plans to release more spectrum to allow the industry to grow and be competitive in the world that is fast changing and heading towards the popular Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). They must give specific timeframe on the issue of the spectrum as to when will it be released and all other related details putting her confidence to the public. Also as she claims to be a pioneer behind the 4IR, Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams should have paved a better foundation first by ensuring that a high speed broad-banded and low to free internet society with cyber-security in place is created. The sooner this is done the lesser we will hear stories from services providers of less spectrum. We commend the Competition Commission on this move and hope that this will be extended to all the network providers not just MTN and Vodacom to comply and reduce data without compromising its speed. — End — Issued by: Mr Masonwabe Nqawe UDM Youth Vanguard Western Cape
Admin
09 Dec, 2019
From humble beginnings to queen of the universe
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard joins millions of South Africans and Billions of people around the globe in celebrating yet another victory for our country. Our Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi has won Miss Universe 2019 pageant held in Atlanta USA. After wowing to the judges and fans throughout the competition Zozibini managed to swoop the title, taking over from Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Zozibini is the third South African to win the Miss Universe crown. The first was Margaret Gardiner in 1978, followed by Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017. She is also the first Miss Universe to wear the brand-new “Power of Unity” crown which is said to be worth R73 million. Zozibini Tunzi is from a small town Tsolo in the rural of Eastern Cape, inspired young kids that their skin and hair is indeed beauty, she further emphasized that the most important thing is to take girls, train and give them space in leadership in order to cement their place in society. This was shown in her courageous work prior her going to Miss Universe, having resumed her fight against gender-based violence a scourge that has and continuously causes pain to the soul of South Africa, as women and children daily are attacked, gruesomely murdered, and abused in any way that perpetrators deem. She raised the flag not just to South Africans to say enough is enough but to the world stage to join in the fight, declaring Gender-based violence as a global disaster in human existence. The crowning of Zozibini Tunzi as Miss Universe may have not come at a better time when the country is on its annual 16 Days of activism. Tunzi asked Men of South Africa to write letters of love that were imbedded in her National dress to show the world that South African Man can love and perpetrators have no place in our society. We are indeed a winning nation capable in all aspects therefore let us join hands with our Zozi in the fight against GBVs as she returns home to cement her work in society We congratulate Zozibini Tunzi our Miss South Africa/Miss Universe and wish her nothing but the best in her tenure on both responsibilities. We shall support her till the end. Halala Mamtolo, Ah Mchenge!! -end- Issued by: Yongama Zigebe UDMYV Gauteng Secretary
