UDF40 Northern Cape provincial co-ordinator William Steenkamp and UDF founding member Trevor Manuel. Picture: Supplied
FORMER finance minister and UDF founding member Trevor Manuel, who addressed the Northern Cape provincial rally of the UDF40 at the Kimberley City Hall on Saturday, has called for greater unity in society.
“We need to build a society based on human rights and make a commitment to future generations to improve the quality of life and free the potential of each person,” said Manuel.
UDF40 Northern Cape provincial co-ordinator William Steenkamp said engagements with community-based structures, civil society, youth and women formations, artists, labour organisations, sports federations and the religious fraternity were held over the past four months.
“Individuals must demand accountability from both the public and private sectors. The current extremely concerning state of the nation can only be turned around if citizens take ownership. Our public engagements have revealed a disturbing sense of disgruntlement and a constant decline in confidence in our constitutional democracy.”
He believed that the implementation of principles and values could restore and transform the nation.
“The UDF40 is an apolitical organisation that is continuing to fight for democracy, non-racialism, and non-sexism. Most people are disillusioned and dissatisfied with the state of the country and service delivery. We want to get the youth inspired so that they can take over the baton from UDF40 veterans and become active citizens.”