Successful conclusion to the 4th UDM National Congress - statement by the UDM President (19 December 2010)

The UDM has just successfully concluded its 4th national congress. The newly-elected national leaders are from a variety of provinces, indicating that the UDM continues to be a national party with a presence across provinces. Below are the newly-elected national leadership, followed by the resolutions adopted by the national congress.

President
Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (Gauteng)

Deputy-President
Mr Ntopile Kganyago, MP (Limpopo)

Chairperson
Mr Zolisa Lavisa (Eastern Cape)

Deputy-Chairperson
Mr Molefe Mokodutlo (Free State)

Secretary General
Mr Bongani Msomi (KwaZulu Natal)

Deputy-Secretary General
Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa (Western Cape)

Treasurer
Ms Thandiwe Nontenja (Gauteng)

Fundraiser
Ms Estelene Elliot (Eastern Cape)

Organiser
Mr Avhasei Ramundingane (Limpopo)

Two Deputy-Organisers
1. Mr Dumisani Ximbi (Western Cape)
2. Mr Welane Saule (Gauteng)

1. POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE
The UDM national congress:
Recognises that it has been a trend under the ANC as the ruling party, for politicians to interfere in the civil service by way of political directives that override the decisions of Accounting Officers,
Notes that this practice undermines the legal duties and powers of Accounting Officers,
Acknowledges that such political interference is most often associated with corruption, in particular nepotism and tender fraud,
Therefore resolves that legislative measures should be taken to restore the powers of Accounting Officers and halt corruption by making the appointment and removal from office of Accounting Officers the sole responsibility of the Public Service Commission, whilst legally obliging Accounting Officers to report any attempts at political interference to Parliament for investigation.

2. FUTURE OF PROVINCES
The UDM national congress:
Notes that the future of the provinces of South Africa have become a topic of debate within the ruling party,
Further notes that such a critical constitutional debate should not be confined to the ANC,
Therefore resolves that the UDM should call upon the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to produce a Green Paper on this topic and commence the process of consulting the rest of society about the future of the provinces.

3. SIZE OF CABINET
The UDM national congress:
Recognises the need for effective governance and service delivery through line-function departments,
Acknowledges the need for political leadership of these departments by individually-appointed Cabinet Ministers,
Taking into account the importance of ensuring that taxpayer money is spent on service delivery instead of redundant Ministerial positions that seem merely designed to reward and appease political allies of the incumbent President,
Therefore resolves that Parliament should reach a consensus about what the maximum number of Cabinet posts should be and that any President wishing to exceed that number would require the explicit approval of Parliament.

4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
The UDM national congress:
Notes that the Local Government Elections are to held in a few months,
Further notes that the UDM has been a partner in several successful multi-party governing coalitions at Local Government level,
Acknowledges that at this time not sufficient progress has been made in the political realignment debate to consider other options,
Therefore resolves that the UDM will participate in the upcoming Local Government elections under its own banner and will – as we have done previously – consider the issue of coalitions after the election.

5. POLITICAL REALIGNMENT
The UDM national congress:
Recognises that the UDM has been a proponent of political realignment since its inception,
Notes that we have always maintained that it is a process that will culminate when the climate is right,
Acknowledges that the UDM has a responsibility towards its members and supporters to avoid rash short-term decisions,
Further notes that the UDM has never seen the process of realignment as the absorption of one party by another, but rather the emergence of a political landscape in which two newly-aligned groupings have a balance of power as is witnessed in most stable democracies across the world.
Therefore resolves that the UDM will continue to pursue the goal of political realignment, with a view to be a central part of a future alternative representing the needs of the marginalised masses.

6. PARTY BUILDING
The UDM national congress:
Congratulates the associate structures of the UDM Youth, Women and Students for holding successful summits during this UDM National Congress,
Acknowledges the importance of these structures for party-building,
Therefore resolves that the associate structures of UDM Youth, Women and Students should spread the message of the UDM into all corners of the country, whilst maintaining discipline in order to distinguish themselves from other parties’ associate structures.