UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
MEDIA RELEASE
UDM 2ND NATIONAL CONGRESS
ISSUED
BY THE UDM CONGRESS AT THE
OCCASION OF ITS 2ND NATIONAL CONGRESS
The
UDM had a successful 2nd National Congress attended by 2200 delegates from the 9
provinces. The Congress, held at the Pretoria Show grounds on 8 and 9
December, discussed and adopted policy and strategy to broaden the UDM support
base in ensuring that the UDM becomes the alternative choice for government
towards the 2004 elections.
In his opening address, President Holomisa highlighted the need for state
intervention in the economy in partnership with business and labour to ensure
that the necessary real economic growth that is required to improve the lives of
South Africans is achieved. This is especially true as far as job creation
is concerned. He devoted part of his speech to highlight the failures of
the ANC government in addressing poverty and unemployment and their failure in
fighting crime and HIV/AIDS. He lamented the ANC for attempting to
neutralize all opposition by buying them in, through offering them positions, or
discrediting political parties and even opposition that he experiences in his
own ranks. Mr Holomisa wished the ANC "good luck" in trying to
do the same with the UDM. He made it clear that the ANC has moved to the
right of the political spectrum and that the UDM gladly takes up the central
position left void by this move of the ANC.
Against this background and after long deliberations from delegates the Congress
adopted the ten prioritised policies that were tabled, including a new economic
vision, which clearly differentiate the UDM from the ANC.
Congress gave its leaders a clear mandate to vigorously recruit the
disillusioned supporters of the ANC, based on this, now clear distinction,
between the UDM and the ANC. The majority of South Africans and their
needs have been abandoned; their lives have not changed for the better.
The UDM who is the only other realistic and viable alternative for the majority
of South Africans will continue to pursue a better life for all South Africans.
The confused and deserted supporters of the New National Party and the
disillusioned supporters of the Democratic Alliance will also be deliberately
and actively recruited. The delegates, representing more than a thousand
branches, in a clear demonstration of the commitment to the vision and the
mission of the UDM accepted this challenge and mandated its leadership at all
levels to embark on a programme of action to achieve this.
This deliberate attempt to recruit supporters from the ANC, the DA and the NNP
is the only way that real and lasting political realignment will manifest
itself. Realignment can occur on the one condition that all South Africans
must be united.
The UDM furthermore took a decision to structure relationships with labour
unions in order to achieve our common and shared intent to improve the
livelihood of the workers, their skills and to create more jobs. Congress
therefore mandated that discussions with organised labour be pursued.
We leave this Congress with a clear vision on where we are going. We know
what it is that we want to achieve. Our structures and supporters are
motivated and empowered to focus to pursue the goal of building the UDM as the
alternative government for all South Africans. The UDM sends a clear
message to political pundits - WATCH THIS SPACE.
Enquiries:
Bantu Holomisa, MP
President United Democratic Movement
082 552 4156
08
December 2001
Pretoria