The Formation of COPE
The Congress of the People was founded by, among others, former Minister of Defence Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota, the former Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa and former Deputy Minister of Defence Mluleki George to contest the 2009 general election.
The party was announced following a successful national convention held in Sandton on 1 November 2008, and was founded at a congress held in Bloemfontein on 16 December 2008. The name echoes the 1955 multi-racial Congress of the People at which the Freedom Charter was adopted in Kliptown, Soweto.
Soon after its formation other senior members of the ruling party joined the cause in defense of democracy in South Africa, including Charlotte Lobe, Lyndall Shope-Mafole (former Director General of the Department of Communication), former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Dennis Bloem, Ndzipho Kalipa, Leonard Ramatlakane, Mbulelo Ncedana, former Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto and former Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela. Willie Madisha (former COSATU President) and Phillip Dexter from Nehawu soon took up the clarion call and joined COPE.
Other high profile South African businesspeople and opposition party members and leaders include Saki Macozoma, Andile Mazwai, Nick Koornhof (former Western Cape MEC for Health), Juli and Johan Killian, Graham McIntosh and Graham MacKenzie.
Soon after its formation COPE became the first political party to truly reflect the diverse nature of South African society, becoming a home for all South Africans and endeavouring earnestly for a South African that belongs to all who live in it!
The 2009 Elections
After COPE was born, in the words of Charlotte Lobe, the party barely had time to crawl or walk, and had to run and compete against the firmly entrenched political giants in South Africa. Despite immense challenges, including no grass roots organisational structures and a lack of resources, the party managed to secure 30 seats in the South African parliament, became the official opposition in 5 of the 9 provinces, and is the only newcomer on the South African political landscape to amass such a significant portion of the vote and have representation in all the provincial legislatures.
The Role of COPE in South Africa
President Lekota has clearly stated that whilst in opposition, the Congress of the People will oppose that which is not in the interest of South Africans, and support that which advances the New Agenda of Hope and Change for all South Africans.
It has repeatedly been stated that COPE was not formed to be an opposition party and has positioned itself as an alternative government to the ruling party.
The Future of COPE
As the party gears up towards the 2011 Local Government Elections, it remains committed to fighting corruption in all its forms and in all sectors of society, defending the hard-won constitutional democratic gains, and advancing the progressive agenda for an inclusive, non-sexist, non-racist and cohesive, united South Africa.
The Congress of the People remains the home of all South Africans who recognise the need for and desperately seek a Principled and Disciplined Alternative as we seek to construct the New South Africa and rebuild a nation marred by the legacy of our past.
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