The Congress of the People is a progressive movement with the founding principle to review thenational electoral system to enable constituency based voting and direct election of the President, Premiers and Mayors by the citizens of the Republic.
Themba Mbatha, in his policy proposal for internal democracy in COPE, illustrates how the officebearers of the Congress of the People must be directly elected by the general membership through a One Member, One Vote.
The developments surrounding the May 2010 Policy Conference, have tainted the party’s reputation as the forefront of democratic principles.
“If every registered member of COPE in good standing can cast a vote, we stand a chance not only to introduce something different but to give each and every member a voice,” writes Bongane Mahlangu.
Unless the entire thinking about the organization reflects the idea of affording people participatory framework, problems of factions, nepotism, corruption, and ‘ghost branches’ will continue to cloudour organization.
The time to rebuild, reconstruct and claim our democratic right for participation in the politicalframework of our movement and determine its destiny has come. Our only interest, as the general members, is to hear our potential leaders deliberate on policy issues; share their manifestos and tell South Africans why they should join and vote for COPE.
The idea of a One Member, One Vote remains the only practical solution to the problems in COPE. We need not wait for another national conference to fail before this idea is implemented, we need to exercise our democratic rights and the sooner we do that the better for COPE!
For more information visit: http://bit.ly/OneMOVE
Written by Mpho Mosia, a member of the Congress of the People in the Free State, in his personal capacity.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed by the author do not necessary reflect the official views and position of COPE.
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