Vision & Mission

President

Bantubonke Holomisa was born to Tembu Chief Bazindlovu Holomisa on 25 July 1955 in the Mqanduli district of Transkei. After attending Upper Ngqungqu Primary School in Mqanduli, he proceeded to Jongilizwe College for the Sons of Chiefs and Headmen in Tsolo, Transkei, where he matriculated in 1975.

In addition to the usual matriculation subjects, he obtained a Diploma in Leadership covering current events, conduct of public affairs, public administration, English, African law, typing, and office routine.

Major General (Retired) Bantu Holomisa co-founded the United Democratic Movement in 1997 with Mr Roelf Meyer.

Mr Holomisa serves as the UDM's President. He was again elected as a Member of Parliament in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections and was appointed Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans in the Government of National Unity.

Deputy President

Mr NLS Kwankwa was born and bred in Middledrift (now officially known as iXesi) in the Eastern Cape and grew up in a politically inclined family. He was formerly a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and the ANC Youth League, and participated in South African Student Congress (SASCO) activities, although he prioritised his academic work. Mr Kwankwa attended the University of the Western Cape, where he obtained a Business Administration Degree.

He left the ANC in 2006 and joined the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in 2007. Mr Kwankwa started his career in the UDM as a member of the support staff until he was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2013. He became the party's Chief Whip in 2014, and was the youngest Member of Parliament during that term and the youngest Chief Whip in the history of democratic South Africa.

He completed a Postgraduate Degree in Economics from the University of South Africa, a management executive programme at the University of Pretoria, as well as financial management.

In 2015, he won the Outstanding International Leadership Award for his role in spreading the anti-xenophobia message, awarded by the Extraordinary People Awards. The award has since been named after him.

Mr Kwankwa founded the African Parliamentarians Association for Human Rights (AfriPAHR) in 2017, a non-partisan network of parliamentarians from across Africa that advances democracy, freedom of religion or belief, and human rights through diplomacy and strategic alliances. He currently serves as Chair of the AfriPAHR Steering Committee.

He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament in 2019 while serving as the UDM's Chief Whip in Parliament, and again in 2024. He currently serves as a full-time member of the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy and the Standing Committee on Appropriations, and as an alternate on the Social Development Portfolio Committee.

Mr Kwankwa is the Deputy President of the UDM.

National Parliament

Bantubonke Holomisa was born the son of Tembu Chief Bazindlovu Holomisa on 25 July 1955 in the Mqanduli district of Transkei. After attending the Upper Ngqungqu Primary School in Mqanduli, he proceeded to the Jongilizwe College for the Sons of Chiefs and Headmen in Tsolo, Transkei, where he matriculated in 1975. Apart from the usual matriculation subjects, he obtained an additional Diploma in Leadership, with the subjects of current events, conduct of public affairs, public administration, English, African law (then called Bantu law, using the university-prescribed textbook by Seymore on the subject), typing and office routine.

Email: jana@udm.org.za

National Parliament

Mr NLS Kwankwa was born and bred in Middledrift (now officially known as iXesi) in the Eastern Cape and he grew up in a politically inclined family. He was formerly a member of the African National Congress (ANC), the ANC Youth League, and he participated in South African Student Congress (SASCO) activities although he prioritised his academic work over political activities. Mr Kwankwa attended the University of the Western Cape, where he obtained a Business Administration Degree.

He left the ANC in 2006 when he joined the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in 2007. Mr Kwankwa started his career in the UDM as a member of the support staff until he was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2013. He then became the Chief Whip of the party in 2014, and he had been the youngest Member of Parliament during that term and the youngest Chief Whip in the history of the democratic South Africa.

He completed a Post Graduate Degree in Economics from the University of South Africa, and a management executive programme at the University of Pretoria, as well as financial management.

In 2015 he won the Outstanding International Leadership Award for his role in spreading the anti-xenophobia message, awarded by the Extraordinary People Awards. The award has since been named after him.

Mr Kwankwa founded the African Parliamentarians Association for Human Rights (AfriPAHR) in 2017, which is a non-partisan network of parliamentarians from the African continent that works to advance democracy, freedom of religion or belief and human rights to build a fairer and inclusive Africa, through diplomacy and fostering strategic alliances between nations. He currently serves as the Chair of the AfriPAHR Steering Committee.

He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament in 2019 and 2024. He currently serves as a full-time member of the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy and the Standing Committee on Appropriations. Additionally, he serves as an alternate on the Social Development Portfolio Committee.

Mr Kwankwa is the Deputy President of the UDM and the Party Leader of the UDM in Parliament.

Email: nkwankwa@parliament.gov.za

National Assembly

Thandi Nontenja grew up in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape and matriculated at the Colana High School in Mount Frere. Ms Nontenja has several diplomas in bookkeeping, accounting and business management, as well as political leadership. She ended her career in the business sector when she was elected as a city councillor for the United Democratic Movement of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council in 2006, 2011 and 2016 and was appointed municipal public accounts committee (Mpac) chairperson for several years. Ms Nontenja has been very active in women’s organisations and is a member of People Opposing Women Abuse.

In 2024 she was elected as a Member of Parliament for the UDM. Ms Nontenja is a full-time member of the Portfolio Committees on Defence and Military Veterans, as well as Women, Children, and People with Disabilities. In addition, she is an alternate on the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

She currently serves as the National Treasurer of the UDM and the Party’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly.

Email: thandi@udm.org.za

National Council of Provinces

Matthewis Mandla Peter is a dedicated public servant and advocate for community upliftment through economic development, education, and the arts. As a permanent delegate in the National Council of Provinces, he represents the Eastern Cape and serves on key committees, including the Programme, Rules, Public Infrastructure, and Cooperative Governance committees. His focus is on improving public infrastructure and governance, especially in rural and underrepresented areas.

Mandla’s leadership journey began at Jabavu High School in Alice, and his education in Business Planning in Agriculture at the University of Pretoria reflects his deep commitment to agriculture and economic empowerment. He is also a graduate of the OR Tambo School of Leadership.

An entrepreneur, he has worked in sectors from retail to the petroleum industry, as well as providing affordable housing in his community. His passion for music has driven his youth engagement initiatives, using music as a tool for social change and empowerment. Additionally, Mandla’s love for sports, including rugby and soccer, has been integral in promoting youth development, emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and community spirit.

In the past, Mandla served as a spokesperson for NAFU and NAFCOC in the Eastern Cape, advocating for the interests of small-scale farmers and businesses. Today, he remains committed to creating sustainable opportunities for economic growth and development in South Africa’s marginalised communities.

Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature

Mr Gaehler serves on the Human Settlements, Transport, Finance and Provincial Expenditure, Rules, as well as Law Review Portfolio Committees of the Eastern Cape Legislature.

Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature

Mr Mcotsho serves on the Legislature Oversight Committee, the Standing Committee on Public Participation, Petitions and Education, as well as the Portfolio Committees on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Health and Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature

Ms Zinti serves on Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Women’s Caucus, as well as the Portfolio Committees on Office of the Premier, and Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in the Eastern Cape Legislature.