Ensure the country is being driven sober, says UDM

MIRAH LANGER

“[The UDM] is the only party batting on a wicket to promote ethics and anti-corruption right through,” he said in a telephonic interview.

Holomisa said there was still great hope for the nation. “South Africa is still a great country. All we need to do is make sure is that the driver that is driving it is sober.

In fact, said Holomisa, South Africa and its handling of diversity could serve as an example for how to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Countries like Israel and Palestine, they can learn a lot from South Africa. Here we tolerate religion.

“If one is to see how your [the South African Jewish] community is enjoying themselves in this country, that is the kind of democracy which Mandela hoped would be in Israel.”

Holomisa said he believed the government’s decision to downgrade the South African embassy in Israel was a “pity” as South Africa could serve as an example of successful negotiation. In the past, he had visited the region several times, including meeting Palestinian Liberation Organisation Chairman Yasser Arafat, who has since died.

For peace to succeed, Israel must stop perpetuating violence. “We have to be sensitive to the clarion call by the world that Israel stops bombing innocent kids and women. If you fight with soldiers, fight with soldiers, but how do you justify bombing houses where there are kids? It’s just not acceptable,” said Holomisa, citing the UDM’s position.

“Everyone has seen how Israel is using its military might, and it’s not good when you see that destruction of property, kids killed. It’s inhuman, finished and klaar. Don’t even talk about the rest. The simplest thing needed [is that] they must sit down. Do it as we did here in South Africa. They will easily find each other.”

However, when the Israeli and Palestinian sides do engage, it has to be without “foreign influence” from countries who often had “vested interests”, he said. He specifically mentioned the role of the United States, saying that it had consistently used its power to veto resolutions taken against Israel at global forums.

“If Palestinians and Israelis are going to rely on foreigners to solve their problems, they must kiss and say goodbye to peace.”

The UDM’s hope for the upcoming election was to “do well and increase our seats. We had four seats; we need more”.

Holomisa said that the South African Jewish community could play a key mentoring role in the country. “The Jewish community has been privileged in terms of being in the economic sphere. What it should do is get some of the young kids who have just graduated or who want to be entrepreneurs and [mentor them] to obtain skills.”

He also encouraged the community to help with projects like building schools and shelters.

Holomisa dismissed the idea of a vote for smaller parties being a wasted vote. “Cyril Ramaphosa would not be the president today had it not been for the smaller parties.” This occurred, he said, after smaller parties called for the removal of former President Jacob Zuma, and spent millions in the Constitutional Court to bring about various anti-corruption cases.

Rehabilitation of the African National Congress is not a prospect he entertains. “This ANC is the one which was saying that Zuma must not pay… It’s the same party that believed a swimming pool can be turned into a fire pool. Sorry!”