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UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
1st SPEECH at Parliament
BY ROELF MEYER, UDM DEPUTY PRESIDENT
PARLIAMENT CAPE TOWN, 29 JUNE 1999

Madam Speaker, hon. members, the last time I was at this podium, just over two year ago, the ANC gave me a standing ovation. I guess they will not do it again this afternoon, because I then had announced that I was going to leave the NP, and that was considered a good idea. But then I did not join the ANC and some people did not like that either.

I think the hon. President’s speech last Friday set the agenda for the next five years, because it covered the political, economic and the social transition of South Africa. In regard to all three, we have not nearly completed our task. So, with the agenda we can all agree. The question is what do we do about solutions for addressing the problems relating to this agenda?

As far as the UDM is concerned, a prime issue is job creation, and we all agree on that. As far as the direct solution is concerned, there are two approaches, one long term and the other short term. For the long term, in short, we are saying that we must budget for a zero deficit in the shortest possible time, because if we continue having a budget deficit, we add to the debt on an ongoing basis.

Secondly, we must develop and overall plan for the major development of South Africa in terms of economic growth – new, important development as far as industry , business, agriculture and tourism are concerned.

Thirdly, we believe that the Government must engage itself in initiatives involving new empowerment opportunities for all South Africans in the same way that the white government did in the past to empower whites. The same can happen again today to empower all South Africans.

In the short term, we are saying that the state lottery fund can be utilised effectively for job creation. We have heard the President’s announcement that the state lottery is going to be implemented at last. The proceeds of that fund should be strictly utilised for job creation. We have a very specific proposal which I would like to discuss in due course with the Minister of Trade and Industry.

On crime, we simply need more policemen to ensure visible policing in South Africa, which does not exist at the moment. We need more policemen , and that is the bottom line. We have calculated that we, in fact, need an additional 42 000 new recruits to do the job. I would like to hear at some point from the Minister of Safety and Security regarding what has been announced by the President, namely what exactly he has in mind when he talks about new recruits.

We need a collective and a co-ordinated effort in combating crime. Therefore, we propose that a Ministry of civil order be established. We have seen some notion in that regard in yesterday’s announcement that some Ministers are going to co-operate, that is Safety and Security, Intelligence, Correctional Services and Justice, in working towards a joint plan to fight crime. That sounds like a correct approach.

As far as corruption is concerned, the hon. President should set an example by getting rid of those who are responsible for corruption in Government. He should do it through one straightforward example, and not like some premiers.

Lastly, the political transition in South Africa has not also been completed. It is quite clear that we cannot only talk about the realignment of opposition politics. We have to talk about the realignment of the political landscape altogether in South Africa.

There are two conditions in this regard. Yes, Mr Minister of Education, there are two conditions to ensure the realignment of the political landscape, starting now. The one is to get rid of the notions of white supremacy. We have to get rid of that in our society altogether, especially in our politics.

Secondly, we have to get rid of notions of controlled thinking, whether through alliances, indoctrination or intimidation. That also is a prerequisite for the realignment of politics in South Africa, it is necessary that we all start applying our minds as to how we want to ensure this realignment of the political landscape, starting now.

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