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On 27 September 1997, a significant moment in South Africa’s political history unfolded with the formation of the United Democratic Movement (UDM). This merger brought together two distinct political initiatives: the National Consultative Forum, founded by Bantu Holomisa after he was controversially expelled from the African National Congress for refusing to retract his testimony at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about corruption in the former Transkei government; and the New Movement Process, led by Roelf Meyer, who left the New National Party due to their refusal to embrace transformation.

The UDM was born from a shared commitment to building an inclusive, non-racial, and democratic alternative to the political landscape of the time. Holomisa and Meyer, coming from different backgrounds, united under the vision of creating a political party that would reflect the values of fairness, transparency, and transformation, offering a fresh perspective to South Africans.

This was a historic day in the annals of South African history, as a new political party entered the arena with a bold vision for the country’s future. Over the past 27 years, the UDM has experienced its share of highs and lows, but it has remained unwavering in its commitment to fighting corruption and advocating for the people of South Africa, particularly the poor and disenfranchised.

Throughout its journey, the UDM has stayed true to its founding principles of fairness, transparency, and social justice. The party has consistently challenged the status quo, calling for accountable governance and standing firm against any form of corruption that undermines the nation’s democratic values. 

The UDM National Executive Committee recently held its first post-election meeting to debrief after the 2024 National and Provincial Elections and to evaluate the Party’s progress as we set our sights on the 2026 Local Government Elections. This meeting marked a crucial step in reflecting on the Party’s performance and strategizing for the future.

The next key focus on the UDM’s agenda is the preparation for hosting our Provincial and National Congresses. These gatherings will be pivotal in shaping the Party’s direction, reinforcing our core values, and ensuring that we remain aligned with the needs of the people as we approach the next electoral milestone.

To all the UDM members on the ground, we thank you again for the hard work these past elections and wish you a happy 27th UDM Birthday, as well as our best wishes for all the hard work that lies ahead.

Issued by UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament Nqabayomzi Kwankwa