UDM News & Events Calendar - United Democratic Movement

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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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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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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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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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28 Jan, 2016

KSD ready for 2016 Local Government Elections

Statement issued by UDM KSD Electoral Task Team The UDM in the KSD is ready for the 2016 Local Government Elections. Guided by our national manifesto, which was adopted and launched in our 5th National Congress held in December 2015; we are finalising our localised KSD version of the manifesto. In our local manifesto, we will focus on Good Governance. In this regard, the rule of law shall be a system on which proper local governance will be based and guard against the abuse of power and allow innovations and the economy to flourish. Corruption as one of the main contributors to unemployment, poverty, inequality and poor services and has characterised the KSD municipality. This must be ended. We shall focus on how to provide effective local governance, appropriate personnel employment, proper planning, proper utilisation of resources and performance management. We shall also focus on making KSD on the key economic growth areas in the province, so that it becomes one of the fastest growing economies in the Eastern Cape and South Africa. In this regard, our manifesto will spell-out our plans to: • Invest more on infrastructure development, improving and maintaining good main and access roads, ensure water and electricity infrastructure is improved and maintained. • Create opportunities for quality jobs. We will develop and implement programmes with high labour absorption and retention levels with skills transfer. • Preserve environment as a source of energy and better living condition. • Work with communities to take advantage of land for quality crop and stock farming. • Work together with Institutions of Traditional Leaders, in support of their historic and rightful role in local and rural development. • Work with all Civil Society Organisation, including but not limited, Religious Communities and the Communities at large to ensure wide and meaningful participation of all on matters of their daily lives. We shall work towards making KSD, once again a thriving municipality full of opportunities. In the next few weeks, in consultation with communities in general, we will be finalising our Ward and PR candidates’ lists. All of this work shall be completed before the 5th of March 2016. This will enable us to mobilise all eligible voters, to go out and register on the first open registration weekend. We will be in contact with voters on daily bases, visiting them in their homes and all other places where they are, to persuade them to vote for UDM and mandate it to govern together with them. We call on all our members, supporters and the people of KSD Municipality to double their efforts in ensuring they take it to themselves, to bring better governance of their municipality. We are certain that if we take bold steps, we can save this municipality from collapsing. Once again, we are not only ready to campaign but to govern this municipality with the people for the people. 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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