Statement by Bantu Holomisa, UDM President

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is happy to announce that several prominent South Africans have joined our ranks, ready to tackle the forthcoming National and Provincial Elections and the road beyond.

Professor Mthunzi Perry-Mason Mdwaba is an accomplished businessman, organised business activist, academic and thought leader who is committed to issues of social justice at global level who firmly believes that the international Labour Organisation (ILO), and multilateralism in general, have a profound role to play.

As I understand it, he holds a BA degree in African Politics and Industrial Sociology as well as an LLB degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). His track-record speaks for itself.

The UDM looks forward to his contribution on the economy given background on labour, job creation and business.

Professor Mdwaba is accompanied by:
• Mkhululi Walter Ndamase;
• Tahir Maepa, SG of the Public Sector Commercial Union(PSCU);
• ⁠Nava Naidoo, Thuja Holdings Business Partner & Director;
• ⁠Zamokuhle Aja-Okorie, Businesswoman and Owner/MD of OAO Investments;
• ⁠Letlhogonolo Noge-Tungamirai, Businesswoman/Board Director.

I welcome him and his colleagues, after they had knocked on the UDM’s door, saying that the UDM appears to be the most stable political party with their heads screwed on right. We look forward to your input.

Major General Retired Mlindeni Sibango CT, SM, PSC, ENSP, PDM-S, MM, will join the UDM as an advisor on defence, safety and security. He is a military tactician who had joined the former Transkei Defence Force from 1981 to 1994.

He successfully completed several international military courses to assist him to confidently contribute meaningfully in Peace Keeping Operations and deliver Peace Capacity Building programmes in most conflict-ridden countries in Africa. He was instrumental in a number of countries, including:
• South Africa’s National Peace Keeping Force initiative pre and post April 1994 first democratic election in the country.
• United Nation’s Peace Keeping and Bilateral Peace Capacity Building initiatives, respectively, during pre and post first democratic elections after over forty years of autocratic rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 2022 – 2014.
• Involved in Peace Capacity Building initiatives in Union of Comoros in 2007.
• Highly involved in designing and crafting modalities, instruments, mechanisms, methodologies and review of the Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ (SIPO) which was aimed at capacitating Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) in terms of their Peace and Security Architecture, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, involved in the review processes of the United Nations (UN) aimed at solidifying its existing Peace and Security instruments from 2007 – 2014.
• Developed and directed Bilateral Peace Capacity Building programmes in Central African Republic (CAR) from 2008 – 2013.

Ms Phathiwe (Pat) Ndleleni is a journalist and Public Relations specialist at heart and will join the UDM as our Media Officer. She worked as a Specialist, Speakers Special Projects for the City of Johannesburg Legislature where she oversaw the strategic project planning, interdepartmental alignment, problem identification and resolution milestone oversight and event planning.

She also saw some time as Head of Department (Branch Sales and Rental Manager) at Chas Everitt and Production Manager at New Generation Mindset.

In her capacity as Executive Director, she oversees the operations of the Manduna Nkabinde Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to the welfare of vulnerable artists, women, individuals with disabilities, and youth.

The Manduna Nkabinde Foundation’s primary mission is to combat poverty and empower individuals to embark on entrepreneurial endeavours, fostering economic independence and self-sufficiency. They extend assistance to artists, including food provision and counselling, recognising the unique hardships they faced.

Her experience with the Manduna Nkabinde Foundation has further enriched her skill set and reinforced her dedication to achieving positive.

Pat holds qualifications in Business Management and Applied Communication Management and is working towards a Highers Certificate in Municipal Governance.

Finally, the UDM’s Chief Administrator, Ms Inga Ndibongo De Villliers, has thrown the full weight of her years’ long expertise and experience into the UDM’s efforts and has joined the party as a member.

The UDM is proud of the new additions to our team and wish them well on the road ahead.

The UDM will be hosting its manifesto launch on 2 March at the Galagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

We have noticed that the ruling party has been acting like an opposition party lamenting problems in South Africa, yet they have for thirty years had the mandate and the tools to fix the problems in this country. They did the exact opposite.

The UDM’s approach will be a can-do approach to a set a problems which has not changed that much since 2019.

Statement by:
Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
UDM President