Congress of the People in the Mother City

Archive for December, 2009

A response to the Ipsos/Markinor poll of 16 December 2009 Reply to Topic

In News on December 17, 2009 at 10:00 pm

The Congress of the People notes the timing and the flawed nature of the poll released by Ipsos/Markinor yesterday. We have noted the trend of trying to release information or stories about the party closer to any major activity whose aim is to down play the important role that COPE continues to play in our country.

A cursory examination of the poll results show that actual support for COPE stands at 10% of those polled in this exercise. 2% said they would definitely vote for COPE and 8% said that they could. Prior to the election, pollsters, including Ipsos/Markinor made a similar error when they predicted COPE would get between 2% and 3% of the vote. History records that COPE got 7,4%. Polls of this nature and the interpretation of them is always a matter of some or other bias, as is revealed in the nature of the questions asked in this poll.

COPE does NOT believe that this poll reflects the reality on the ground.

This is borne out by COPE’s performance in by-elections. The party has consistently polled upwards of 7% and has even won by-elections, with over 50% of the vote, in a number of provinces. Furthermore it is not clear whether this poll was just a poll about COPE. Given the fawning accolades made in the same press release by Ipsos/Markinor of our political competition, we would like to see similar results for other parties if they exist, or get an explanation from Ipsos/Markinor why this was not done.

As was acknowledged by the President of COPE in his speech to the first anniversary rally in Kimberley yesterday, it is clear that some aspects of the performance of the party have been weak or poor. This has largely been due to limited resources and the process of setting up structures of the party, but the party acknowledges that perceptions of leadership battles in the party, limited and weak campaigns, limited communication of policy positions of the party and interim structures have all contributed to the impression that the party does not offer a clear and credible alternative to other political formations in the country.

The leadership has begun to address these issues and in 2010 these will be a priority. The membership system and membership cards are being issued and branches are being launched across the country. This will anchor our supporters in every part of the country and allow them to build support in communities. Sectoral formations of women, youth and students are being established and contacts and networking with business, labour, religious organisations and other civil society formations is being prioritised.

On the question of unity of the leadership, both the President and Deputy President of the party have stated publicly that they would abide by and support the outcome of any leadership election in the party were such to take place. These two leaders have consistently worked with one another, often sharing platforms, attending meetings in various structures together, with an absolutely clear message, in a comradely, congenial and collegial atmosphere. No nominations have been made for any leadership positions in the party. There is therefore no disunity or any leadership battle. If a leadership contest takes place for any position in the party, this will be done in accordance with the leadership election protocol the party will adopt.

The party will be having a policy conference early in the new year and will communicate on any outstanding or changed policy positions in that process.

The first anniversary rally in Kimberley yesterday showed that COPE supporters from all provinces in South Africa were prepared to travel sometimes for hours by road, to participate in this celebration. The party ends this first year on a high note, with elected representatives in all provincial legislatures, the National Assembly and the NCOP, with constituency offices being opened all over the country and with preparations for the local government election campaign well underway.

For further information, please contact Phillip Dexter on 082 453 4088


WCPP Session Vote: 12 (Economic Development & Tourism)

In Speeches on December 10, 2009 at 4:20 pm

This is the statement given by COPE’s member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Tozama Bevu during the debate on Economic Development & Tourism Department.

Mr. Speaker; we are told that the poor performance of the department’s programmes was mostly put on delay by the Western Cape Liquor Act that had not been promulgated as per the end of the third quarter. Subsequently the delay resulted in the department loosing R12 million uncollected revenue.

When we look at the spending patterns of the department one gets worried about the alarming under spending. This is strange in the light of much economic development in these dire times.

This is what does not look good in this department:

• Economic Planning has spent 22.01 of its allocated budget as the end of September 2009
• Integrated Economic Development Services on business programmes in the province are almost non existent
• The same can be said of the Local Economic Development and Economic Empowerment
• The Business Regulation & Governance achieved only 42% of its targets on the 1st & 2nd quarter. Has it fared better in the last quarter?

We would suggest that the department change its course in the coming year. First it must make its consultative process inclusive to all. It must involve informal business when it makes its plans.

To effect economic transformation the province has to develop better Enterprise development that involves the presently disadvantaged. We could, for instance, do more to convince our business sector to relocate their Call Centres to township business areas.

We could persuade some South African big companies, especially those whose headquarters are here, to join their social programmes with the province’s economic development plan. But the question here is, what is the province’s economic plan?

What has this province, for instance, done about sourcing land for economic development for the poor? Yet we see a huge a lack of economic initiatives and a complete turn around from aggressive economic planning that was initiated after the 1994 elections.

Black Economic Empowerment is another thorny issue in this province. The tendency now, from the provincial and city officials, is to look for loopholes or excuses not to comply with it. Yes corruption where it exists must be stamped out. Yes BBEE should be driven by real black company ownership; but where is it in this province?

Take the R3b massive development around Valedrome Staduim for instance. Does it not worry anyone here, and the City of Cape Town in particular, that there’s not a single BBEE company involve in that development?

As COPE we think it is high time this province convenes an economic Indaba. We must invite representatives from NGOs, tertiary institutions, business, social forums, faith groups, etc, to chart our clear economic planning.

Thank you!

T. N. Bevu


The Greatest propaganda of all times

In Discussion on December 10, 2009 at 4:17 pm

There is a habit by the media to ignore Cope. All the good things about Cope are underplayed.

I’m convinced that there is a program to make COPE look ineffective. The victory of our by-election in Phomolong (Tembisa) was published in such a way that, to see it you had to be a Cope member, hidden in a mess of useless news.

Our by-elections victories in Northern Cape were hardly published. One cope member from Nothern Cape put it nicely: they are hiding our victories from the masses.

Our communication department issues statements almost on every issue, these statements are completely ignored. Our president issued a statement last week, concern about the government’s empty promises, this was ignored, and instead they publish a story that says, COPE president kicks the constitution out.

Here we are dealing with extreme challenges as congress of the people. I have attended all COPE functions where the media was present; they never publish what our leaders are saying that has to do with Service delivery.

Someone tell me what’s happening with our media houses. I’m writing this article knowing that it may not be published.

What has Cope done to the media, what are we punished for? Someone tell me. Our own youth leaders issue media statements that never get published. Sipho Nghona has written a lot of statements that ended up only on facebook. Anele Mda wrote a lot of statements, including a statement on the 16 days of activism, and this went unpublished.

Instead they publish a story about a group of young people in KZN lead by Sosibo and calling for Anele to be kicked out and Sipho to lead. What is this? Is anybody having a master plan to destroy us?

Look on the other side of the Coin, Malema just say Whites are RACISTS and he is all over the media. Malema say nationalize the mines and he is all over the media.

Note that, COPE youth went to meet with Prof Jansen and this was never published. It was as if COPEYM did nothing. Two days later Malema met with the Prof, it was all over the Media.

The question is – Is the media making a monster out of ANC? Are they uncomfortable with a multi party democracy? Is this media praying for a one party state?

Or is it because the tripartite alliance has got their grip on the media, of course Sexwale has a stake in AVUSA. That is why if he sleeps in a Shack in Diepsloot he is covered for the whole week for that single act. However, when Dr Dandala sleeps in a Shack in Mamelodi, he is not covered at all.

While ANC is covered extensively for its Veteran’s league, COPE had long conceived the idea of a Council Of elders, but because is COPE, this is not covered at all.

Honestly, what’s going on here?

COPE members are left to think that, their leaders are not working. They are left with the perception that, COPE is dying. South Africans are fed a wrong message that, all COPE leaders do is fight for positions.

Sorry, but I’m disgruntled…….

Sefu Sekgala is an ordinary COPE member.

COPE activists are getting killed

In Speeches on December 8, 2009 at 5:36 pm

This is the statement made by Mbulelo Ncedana, COPE MPL and leader of parliament in the Western Cape Legislature, at the parliamentary session on the 08 December 2009

There’s been a clear escalation of political intolerance in our country that has recently culminated in three of our members (COPE) being gunned down to death recently. One was the farmer in Ceres, Mr. P.M. Cillers, who had been active in establishing COPE structures in the region.

The police have since detained a culprit, a foreign national, who has admitted to having been bought to commit the crime though he’s remaining mum about who paid him.

Another active member and recruiter of COPE, Mayoyo Mantashe, was gunned down last Tuesday at Newcross. The motives of the murder at this stage are still not clear.

Another member of COPE, himself actively involved in establishing our political structures by the name of Mr. Madolwana was gunned down in his own house at Nyanga and died.

The worrying thing in all of this for us, beyond our concern with loosing valuable members of our communities, is that these incidences, though in different areas, happened next to each other. There seem to be a common factor in their deaths that of being very active in establishing COPE structures, and being good recruiters. If a coincidence it is a very strange one.

Another issue that has been worrying us is a trend in schools whose principals or acting principals do not belong to the ANC’s affiliates being haunted out of their positions. The one incidence we intervened on, with the help of the MEC for education here, is that of Ludwe Primary School, at Khayelitsha.

The acting principal of Ludwe, apparently a member of NAPTOSA, has been under pressure. As the time approaches for appointing the permanent principal nears, shenanigans are devised to get rid him simple because he’s not a member of SADTU, the member COSATU.

The driving forces of these manoeuvres are SADTU members who, during SGB meetings, bring every rank and file affiliated with their organisation to intimidate the SGB and the school parents during the meetings. To an extent that recently they went to unlawfully lock the school, preventing the staff to carryout their duties and children to attend.

It has come to our attention that these are not isolated but a strategy. A similar thing has been reported in Mulmersbury and Atlantis. These kinds of things are unacceptable, especially in a country like ours where freedom of association is enshrined in the constitution. This is what COPE means when it says its mission is to protect our constitution and consolidate our the freedoms our people gained at a high price.

Mbulelo Ncedana (MPL) is COPE member in the Western Cape Legislature


I’M COPE-ING TODAY MORE THAN EVER; ARE YOU?!!!

In Discussion on December 8, 2009 at 5:30 pm

It is time for Cope members across the country to find their place in making Cope work. It doesn’t have to be in a structure. Each and every Cope members must be clear on how they contribute in cope daily.

Maybe you don’t have time to go house to house or mobilize for membership, maybe you just don’t have time to attend meetings, and however there must be a way that you can contribute in Cope.

I have observed a lot of professionals giving up on contributing building cope because they find it hard to keep up with structural party politics. Some of them will even tell you that they have been going to meeting the whole year and they have nothing to show for it.

My view of this is that, people see only one way of contributing to cope. If they can’t manage to serve in a structure then they are gone or they plot to remove those who are in the structure. This approach is wrong. Ultimately this approach assumes that being in a structure is working, that’s wrong. It assumes that once one is in a structure
one is a leader, that’s wrong.

Legends are not created in a structure but they are created on the field were there is dirt and filth.

One other error in thinking is that, when some members see Cope taking a wrong tangent they loose hope. It’s when Cope takes a wrong turn that we must begin to recommit, we need to say, not our movement, we have to do something. We must never tire because something wrong is happening; we must do whatever we can to correct it. At times it may look impossible, but if we keep trying in the long term Cope will win and when Cope wins South Africa wins.

It is unfortunate that there are people who are not used to working hard to get what they want and instead are always looking for shortcuts. They expect success without hiccups. If they experience any friction in their move, they tire. That’s unfortunate because anything worth having is achieved through sweat, blood and tear.

Our very democracy was achieved after so many people were killed, tortured, jailed and exiled. It was no easy ride. Some cowardly former Cope members will tell you Cope this Cope that, as if Cope is someone else’s property.

Is so amazing how people who have had their life’s easier expect everything on the silver platter.

When you love the movement you will find a way to contribute whether you are in a structure or just an ordinary member.

Let me be brutally honest, being in a structure does not automatically make anyone a leader and it does not necessarily earn you respect. So instead of plotting to remove those who are in structures, Cope members must work hard for their movement, Cope members must build branches, interact with communities, and debate issues of national interest with their political pears.

What makes people think that, as soon as they get in a structure they will achieve, perform or do work for Cope? If you can*t perform, lead, or do work for Cope when you are not in a structure, the possibilities are, you will not be able to perform or lead even in a structure with a lucrative position.

A leader will lead anytime regardless of what position they hold. A performer does not need a position to perform.

I hope these words will encourage those Cope members who have given up or who are getting tired to realize that in fact the ball is in their court and as it is, Cope can never fail them, they can only fail Cope. Note that Cope is Cope because of its members, if all Cope members do nothing, then Cope will stand still.

So, from now on never waste your time asking? Where is Cope? Start asking yourself where am I? Never ask a question Why is Cope so silent- Ask yourself why am I so silent? Never ask yourself what is Cope Doing? Ask yourself, what am I doing for COPE?

If you spent a week having done nothing for COPE, you are failing COPE madam. If you spent the whole month having done nothing for Cope, you are failing Cope Sir.

Let me brag a bid, this article is my Contribution for this week. I’m not saying this to impress you. I’m saying this to impress upon you.

Biko gave up his life for our democracy. What is it that as Cope members are we prepared to give up so that Cope can save South Africa from mediocrity.

You will hear people say I*m spending my money for COPE. I lost my Job
because of Cope, my business is gone because of Cope.

Let me enlighten you. Biko was assaulted and murdered, Hani was Short dead, Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. School kids where killed and African women were raped for us to attain what we have now.

What I’m trying to say here is that, let us take ownership of Congress of the People (COPE). Let us avail ourselves the best we can. Let’s build COPE and when COPE is well and strong Cope will save SA.

We need to reignite our vision. We need to renew our vows. We need to once again go through our Convention declarations. Let us revisit our values.

COPER ARE YOU THERE? CAN YOU HEAR ME?

At times petty things divide us, things that have nothing to do with the advancement of our people’s lives. This so because we have forgotten who we are, we have forgotten our values, our vision has been blurred.

Cope members must participate every were, in societies, associations, community forums, NGO etc. Cope members must be everywhere in community radio stations, Community papers, on TV, public and private radio stations. This not only talking about COPE but contributing positively in society.

Cope members must help communities, when communities don’t have services delivered to them, let us be the first ones to address these issues, let it not even get to a strike or community unrest, let us give them a chance to say: If it was not because of COPE, we would have dealt with that mayor, or that councillor.

When you walk in a department and the service is poor, do something; that’s true leadership. If you walk in bank and the queue is long with only two tillers operating out of 10, call the manager do something.

We are here for the people not ourselves, not even for COPE but our people.

OUR LEADERS ARE ALL WE HAVE:

Let me end this note by saying ; We make or destroy our leaders. At times bad leaders could be made messiahs because their followers are determine to see them lead. At times good leaders could look like morons because, their followers are second guessing them. You don’t need to have impeccable credential if all members of COPE are determined to make you a leader the whole world will fear.

We have failed dismally on this one and I hope here going forward we will learn and do better. I don’t think COPE President Lekota and COPEYM chairperson Mda have enjoyed our respect and full backing.

No leader can be liked by all members, but until we can see COPE leadership as sacred we will find our movement loosing credibility left, right and centre.

When you show support for a COPE leader you are not factional you are patriotic. People with dubious intention will start calling you a Lekota person or an Anele supporter. In COPE the word ‘personality cult’ is anathema. It must not be used to encourage members to undermine and disrespect leaders.

The values we want to see in our leaders must first be demonstrated by us as follower. As Ghandi would put it, be the change you want to see in the world.

I’M COPE-ING TODAY MORE THAN EVER; ARE YOU?!!!

Sefu Sekgala is an ordinary COPE member.

Lekota responds to Zuma

In News on December 7, 2009 at 5:06 pm

The statement by President Zuma that South Africa could lose more jobs before turning the tide is no source of comfort. It is even more disappointing to hear the Minister of Public Works contradicting the President by declaring that the target of 500,000 jobs will be reached by the end of the month.

As South Africans, how can we be expected to put our faith in an administration in which the President and one of his cabinet Ministers tell two different stories?

From the point of view of the Congress of the People (COPE), what this economy needs is to generate sustainable jobs.

And such sustainable jobs mean:
- That we must revive domestic food production,
- Arrest the derive in manufacturing, and encourage revival thereof
- Embark on a drive to create new sectors of the economy e.g. renewable energy

It is time for the government to stop making unrealistic promises of unattainable targets to the South African public and attack the real problem.

M.G.P LEKOTA
COPE PRESIDENT

The Congress of the People is outraged by reports alleging that ex CEO Jacob Maroga delayed Eskom’s price hike as a favour to the ANC. Reports are that the ruling party did not want its image to take a dent in the eyes of the electorate before the elections, so Mr Maroga was asked to stall the price increase application.

It has emerged that Eskom should have made an application for a price increase on April 1 when its 3 year price regime expired. Instead what appears to have happened is that Mr Maroga heeded the call of his master’s voice.

Eskom and other state owned enterprises are not tools that the ruling party can use to manipulate South Africans. This alleged episode, if true, was part of a cynical, dishonest and populist menu that the ANC dished up to the electorate in the run up to the election.

The most disturbing aspect of these allegations is that Mr Maroga is alleged to have boasted about acquiring favours from the government in exchange, including a sum estimated at over R25 Billion and exemption from environmental levies in future tariff increases. Environmental levies are absolutely critical in going a little way to mitigate the damage caused by Eskom’s policy of using coal as the basis for energy production in South Africa and the southern African region. If these allegations are true, how can the government go to the Copenhagen summit on climate change next week and expect to be taken seriously?

We speculate as to the real motivations for alleged government interference in the Eskom board’s recent leadership struggle. Perhaps Mr Maroga called on his connections in the government to protect him from an impending and much deserved axing, and perhaps the week-long information blackout and mixed messages from government about the status of Mr Maroga was engineered so that the wheels of patronage could turn unimpeded by public inquiry.

As far as energy generation is concerned, COPE anticipates further load shedding in the near future, despite the tariff increases. COPE calls on Eskom to go on record with the extent of the anticipated load shedding well in advance, or reassure the public and business that it will not happen.

Government must be more transparent in its dealings with SOE’s. We must engender a culture of accountability instead of the current status quo of cadre deployment, which could lead to public service, resource and utility management degenerating into a game of horse trading, patronage and corruption.

Community demands Thokoza police forum to disband

In News on December 5, 2009 at 10:56 am

Congress of the People MPL in Gauteng is leading a campaign by the community of Thokoza township for the disbandment of the community police forum, and for the station commander to be removed.

This follows the gruesome killing of the local taxi association chairperson Thamsanqa Tyobo and two other taxi owners recently about 50 metres away from the Thokoza police station.

COPE MPL Ndzipho Kalipa and spokesperson for transport in the provincial legislature says the community has launched a campaign to demand the total break- up of the police forum as a hopeless structure which did not assist the community.

Cope has repeatedly demanded an explanation from the police chief in Thokoza about why police intelligence unit failed to monitor the threatening taxi war. The attacks have sparked widespread criticism of the police immobility by township residents in preventing crime in the area.

He further called for the immediate removal of the police station commander accusing him of repeatedly upsetting the community instead of empowering them, as criminal elements in the area have wantonly struck a wave of criminal aggression towards the community without fear of arrest.

The community is also concerned that the police investigations to these criminal activities were not resulting in any arrests of criminals in the area. A series of protest demonstrations and marches to the police station calling for the dismissal of the police station chief and the disbandment of the police forum will start soon.

“What is most disheartening to the community is that the police authority in the area did not seem to understand its lack of police intelligence initiatives to scrutinize criminal information and leads which rendered themselves vulnerable and incapable of launching preemptive strikes against the criminals,” he added.

Issued on behalf of COPE Gauteng Legislature by:-
COPE MPL, Ndzipho Kalipa
Mobile: 082 443 6958


Reflections on the first year of COPE

In Discussion on December 4, 2009 at 10:33 am

MY REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST YEAR

On the 16th of December 2009, COPE will be a year old and what a bumpy but pleasant journey it has been and to have been part of. If I was asked if I would do it again, mine would be an emphatic and an unambiguous YES! As Ben Okri, from his way of being free said: “Let no one speak of frontiers exhausted, all challenges met, all problems solved. There is always the joy of discovering, uncovering, and forging new forms, new ways.…”

This time last year, the country was gung-ho in the hype of the National Convention held on 2 November 2008. The formation of an alternative party to the moribund political atmosphere had been greeted with much fanfare, change and hope for a better future in South Africa. In the week preceding the Convention, at a public meeting held at the Union Church in Rosebank, I recall giving COPE President Lekota a mandate (on behalf of many South Africans) to help start the new political party with immediate effect. His was, “Let us wait and see what happens at the convention”. The writing was on the wall for the ruling party that their support was waning, and that thinking South Africans wanted change.

This was a very exciting time, one that was met with excitement from many quarters, worry from some, anxiety and danger. Going against the grain and against the bread and butter we are accustomed with, in the form of the ANC and its Government, was not only career limiting to some, but dangerous in the bigger scheme of things.

Individuals standing true to their virtues resigned or were pushed from their Government positions, some were fired and some harassed to the point of severing all ties with a Government that its actions negated its motto: “!Ke e:/xarra//ke”, meaning diverse people unite or people who are different join together. After all, South Africa has the most progressive constitution in the world subscribing to true democratic principles on the one hand, a Government and a ruling party that tramples the very foundations on which this country was built upon.

Initially Mr Lekota walked out of Government followed by Mr George. Others like, undoubtedly the country’s most successful Premier to date, Mr Shilowa followed, Ms Lyndall Shope-Mafole (DG: Communications and ANC NEC member), Charlotte Lobe (NEC Member) and many others left the ranks and file of the Government and/or the ANC.

A year down the line, I stand tall applauding these leaders for the guts they displayed in the face of enormous personal sacrifice and financial loss they suffered for the betterment of our beloved country. COPE was a dream and continues to be one with huge potential, yet to be realised. The organisation may continue to have some serious challenges and leadership matters to overcome, but as Ben Okri says: “…there is always the joy of discovering, uncovering, and forging new forms, new ways.…”

With the dawn of a new political organisation with the potential to shake up the country’s political landscape, what went wrong, and why (seemingly) did the hype die down? Some of the contributing factors identified are as follows:

• The election of the leadership by consensus could have been a mistake;
• A non-functional election machinery deliberately sabotaged by an individual with split loyalty in the form of Mlungisi Hlongwane
• The appointment of Dr Dandala without wide consultation as Presidential candidate
• The obsession and opposition to the ANC, rather than a focus on what COPE stood for
• Very good policy positions agreed upon at the inaugural conference that were not effectively communicated to the electorate
• The forked tongue approach to BEE and Affirmative Action which alienated the middle class
• Behind the scenes leadership battles to capture the soul of the movement
• And lack of resources to fund projects of the organisation
• Gate keeping from individuals hell-bent on occupy positions of power without having the foresight and leadership capabilities to lead a modern political movement.

It may be easy to castigate the organisation and its leadership for some of these challenges, but the truth is; none of our leaders or even its membership had the experience and know how to build a movement of this magnitude – we were all learning (on the job training). We must however, take cognisance of the work done by the members, their selfless commitment to make COPE work, our leaders’ continued role in molding this child of the future. At times, we tended to be harsh on the realities that faced a movement such as ours, but mine would be, under the circumstances, we have done ourselves and South Africa very proud although much work still remains.

I remain an advocate for an open democratic system where we are able to critique our work and continued involvement in the national body politic. It is imperative that, for us to move on as a serious force to reflect on mistakes made, and to finding meaningful solutions to the challenges that threatened to unravel our noble intentions. Going forward, picking up from discussions we have had with both members and the public at large, the following solutions have been suggested:

• Identifying a leadership core representing the fibre of a modern political movement;
• Reconfiguration and establishment of permanent structures followed by policy and elective conferences. This is essentially a bottom up approach where members are given the space to participate fully in the work of the organisation;
• Competent researchers to assist in the policy unit;
• A strong and effective communications unit that would have the capacity to not only articulate our policy positions, but able to handle matters of national concern (off the cuff) in line with organisational core vales, principles and morals;
• Establishing a strong elections machinery team with a sole mandate of increasing our market share in the local, provincial and national footprint. This would inevitably encapsulate the deployment of election agents and all responsibilities associated with such;
• Continued visibility in the public domain, consulting our constituency and citizenry on a regular basis;
• An active public representatives who play a meaningful oversight role as opposition in Government and delivering to their constituency offices;
• A visible leadership that is brave enough to take unpopular decisions;
• A vibrant youth wing free of personal agenda’s and is the epitome of the future agenda, unambiguously focussed on youth development matters and the general plight of young people;
• A focussed and intellectual student movement to challenge the stereotypical mindset of burning tyres on campuses and rioting, but one that bases its arguments on debating matters with factual information. This body would act as the hub for the development of future leaders and intellectuals of our country.

I have been following with interest our activities in the National Assembly and more work remains to be done. Dr Dandala and his crew are playing a crucial role in moulding our team into an effective oversight team, and they have been good. It is however a disgrace that the national broadcaster and some media houses have deliberately ignored some of the work they do, which leads people thinking that COPE is not an effective opposition in parliament.

Considering that there are more than 30 Portfolio Committees, COPE has done well to spread its 30 members across these. The one serious issue that the party would have to look at, are the silent back benchers whose voices remain silent. Mechanisms to make these few effective would have to be put in place or some drastic measures taken, and I support the putting in place of key performance indicators (KPI’s) to measure their success.

For what my money’s worth, my COPE parliamentarian award for 2009, goes to Julian Killian. One only has to have followed her work in the Communications Portfolio Committee to support my view.

In anticipation to the conferences to be held in the new-year, it is imperative for COPE members to rally the troops behind our organisation to realise the dream that we all have. 2010 will be a crucial year to determine our direction and legacy. I remain undoubtedly and unashamedly a COPE member to my veins and history will judge us harshly if this “Project Consolidate” does not realise its full potential.

Challenges are what they are, challenges and I take comfort in Ben Okri’s words that challenges are not insurmountable if we all pull together in one direction, replicating rowers at a regatta!

The issue of leadership may be a thorny one, but we need to be realistic enough to be able to maximise the skills set we have and allocate it appropriately for the benefit of the bigger picture. I must confess that I am very encouraged with the progress made to establish permanent structures where branches are not only launched, but members participate in democratically electing leaders of their choice. There has been much activity at branch and regional levels where members continue silently to put COPE on the map.

When the national broadcaster eventually decides to give COPE the publicity our people are quenching for, there is no doubt that we will continue to make the difference to the lives of ordinary citizens of South Africa.

Sipho Nghona is a member of COPE, writing in his personal capacity.

COPE STUDENT MOVEMENT ON WORLD AIDS DAY

In News on December 1, 2009 at 8:49 am

Noting the challenges of HIV/AIDS and the impact it has had on many children and families, COPE Student Movement encourages everyone to play their part on World Aids Day in making our society more aware of this incurable epidemic.

As a student movement we remain concerned by the number of young people in various institutions of learning who fall pregnant or purchase morning after pills. The rise in both these statistics demonstrate the number of people who have sexual intercourse without using condoms.

The absence of such protection means that there is a growing number of students who are exposed to chances of acquiring HIV/AIDS, thus meaning the nurturing of potential future leaders is compromised. The participation in unprotected sex is at times influenced by ignorance or over indulgence in alcohol and drug abuse by students.

As this is a time of festivities with most students on holiday, we appeal to our fellow students to be vigilant and responsible in all that they do.
COPE Student Movement wants all students from all walks of life to continue practicing the basics which are; Abstain, Be faithful and Condomise (ABC) and the fourth one would be Delay for as long as possible, giving us ABCD.

If we as students move away from these simple and painless measures we could be taking the risk of killing the next generation of leaders, our country would be found wanting and without people to carry it to the next level of modern liberation.
HIV/AIDS is incurable once acquired, however one has the power to shield oneself from acquiring such a monster of a disease that has left many children without parents and with very bleak futures.

COPE Student Movement will do all in its power to ensure that more awareness is created in Institutions of Higher Learning and all High Schools accessible to it. This is a commitment to assist our current government in its efforts of lessening the rate of new infections.

COPE SM believes that government cannot shoulder the blame alone for the spread of HIV/AIDS, the ignorance and irresponsibility that still underlies our communities is also at fault.

It is with this in mind that we call on all citizens to rally behind the World AIDS Day and ensure that it is a success. We, as COPE Student Movement, hope that World AIDS Day will create momentum that we will sustain into the next World AIDS Day in fighting this epidemic as one day can never be enough.

The task at hand requires everyone to play their part if this battle is to be won.

COPE Student Movement says: not under our watch will students continue to acquire this disease, our hands are on deck to fight this scourge.

For further information please contact Lukhona Mnguni on 083 503 8779