The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has taken aim at President Cyril Ramaphosa for celebrating South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist, calling his response “tone deaf” and out of touch with the daily realities faced by ordinary citizens.
The criticism follows Ramaphosa’s announcement that the country’s financial reputation had been restored after significant reforms to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
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However, the UDM argues that the president’s focus on this technical achievement fails to address the pressing social and economic challenges most South Africans are grappling with.
According to the party, the government should be concentrating on improving living conditions and restoring public confidence, rather than celebrating symbolic victories that don’t immediately improve people’s lives.
Growing Discontent with Democracy in South Africa
The UDM’s statement came shortly after the release of the latest Afrobarometer findings, which revealed growing dissatisfaction with South Africa’s democracy.
Nearly half of respondents said they would not oppose military rule, while seven in ten expressed frustration with the country’s democratic system.
This data, the UDM says, reflects a deepening crisis of faith in political leadership and a sense of disillusionment, particularly among the youth who feel excluded from economic opportunities.
UDM Urges Government to Prioritise Real Change
“The corruption, which was taking place during state capture, the government’s failures occurred while the president was there. So, he was part of the problem in the first place,” said UDM Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa.
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“Unless and until we were able to have conversations about why 70% of our youth find themselves unemployed, with or without degrees, with or without a set of skills, we’re going to face a disillusioned youth brigade that will at some point revolt against the state and revolt against the system of democracy which does not serve their needs,” he added.
The UDM maintains that genuine transformation and job creation should take precedence over public relations victories, warning that continued economic hardship could lead to widespread unrest if young South Africans continue to feel left behind.
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