UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT YOUTH VANGUARD

At the UDM's National Congress at the weekend of 17 to 19 December 2010, an the following interim national office bearers were chosen to lead the Party's youth organisation.

Aims and Objectives:
The UDM Youth Vanguard shall;
Embrace and enrol young men and women of the country into a new political home that will promote and protect the interests of the youth.
Support and reinforce the United Democratic Movement in the attainment of its vision and mission.
Encourage young people to participate in all national issues that affect the youth of this country.
Encourage national self-discipline based on an acceptance that each right carries with it a corresponding and equal obligation and responsibility
Strive to unite at all time all the people of South Africa.
Remain vocal in addressing the needs, at the best interest of all South Africans and thus giving a political direction that is based on the needs and aspirations of all South Africans.
Ensure equal and effective participation and interaction of both the urban and rural youth towards creating opportunities for the youth to unleash their full potential.
Strive and vigorously campaign for educational, moral and cultural upliftment of the youth.
Promote exchange programmes nationally, regionally and internationally.

Membership (as per UDMYV Constitution)
7.1. Membership is open to all South Africans from 16 and 35 years and subscribes to its Policies, Vision and Mission of the United Democratic Movement.
7.2. He/she is a South African citizen.
7.3. He/she is not a member of any political party.
7.4. Application for membership shall be received by branch where it exists. The branch can reject or accept such application.
7.5. The membership shall lapse,
7.5.1. When the member turn thirty five (35) years,
7.5.2. Is expelled following disciplinary proceeding,
7.5.3. Resign in writing to the organisation or he/she passes away and also if it is found after audit, reviews of annual membership that the member has not paid his or her annual subscription for up to six months, furthermore the membership of executive member who is above 35 shall be valid until end of his/her term.
7.5.4. Young people who qualify for membership in accordance with rules of this section shall be issued with a membership card on payment of a joining fee. The congress or NEC shall determine the joining fee.
7.5.5. All members shall be on acceptance in the ranks of UDMYV, after they had solemnly declared their readiness and willingness to serve the organisation.

Contact:
UDM National Office
udmyv@udm.org.za
Tel: 012-321-0010
Fax: 012-321-0014

Résumé of Mr Teddy Thwala - Interim President of the UDM Youth Vanguard

Nhlanhla Emmanuel Thwala was born in Newcastle on the 26th of March 1977, where he also completed his schooling. He is affectionately known as ‘Teddy’.

Teddy holds a Certificate in Bookkeeping from Damelin and is currently studying towards his BCom Accounting at the University of South Africa. He has also earned a Certificate in Marketing (COP) from the Insurance Institute of South Africa and has attended numerous capacity building workshops in leadership, media and financial management.

Teddy showed an interest in politics from a young age and was a member of the African National Congress before joining the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in 1997. He has served the UDM in various capacities, both administrative and political, for a number of years. Most notably, he has served as the Secretary General of the UDM’s Youth Vanguard (UDMYV) from 2003 to 2007. He also enjoyed a term of office as Provincial Chairperson of the UDMYV in KwaZulu-Natal.

In December 2010, Teddy was chosen to serve as the UDMYV’s Interim President at the UDM’s National Congress held in Port Elizabeth.

Mr Thwala has served the South African Youth Council as its KwaZulu Natal Provincial Deputy-Chairperson between 2005 and 2006. He continued service as this organisation’s Provincial Chairperson, KwaZulu-Natal, from 2007 to 2010. He participated in the National Youth Parliament in 2004 and has been involved in many other youth forums both nationally and in KwaZulu-Natal.

Teddy is active in his local community and is a member of the Madadeni Residents’ Association as well as the Canaan Residents’ Forum.