Congress of the People in the Free State rejects as patently false and misleading, reports on SABC TV channels yesterday that 500 of our members defected to the ANC in Botshabelo. It is shocking that despite our contact details being known to the SABC, no attempt was made to verify the authenticity of this audaciously mendacious story about us.

While we can confirm that less than ten of our former members joined the governing party, the rest of the so-called 500 defectors are ordinary members of the community who were invited to feast on six heads of cattle that the ANC slaughtered to entice them. One of these individuals (Andrew Montse) had long quit months ago, to join the ANC. How could he therefore have become a COPE defector after joining the ANC moons ago? The ANC seems to believe that if it slaughters animals and invites people to come and feast, those automatically become COPE defectors even though their primary motive was to go and partake of the food and nothing more. We have also been alerted to attempts to stagger so-called defections to make these stunts seem like a huge act of our party imploding. We remain vigilant and strong.

This must be the worst PR disaster for the ANC given the fact that they fed Mr. Motlanthe, their Deputy President, a big fat lie on this one. COPE remains strong and unshaken in the Free State and will continue this trend despite attempts to weaken it. Perhaps the public must be aware of the political dangers of turning the public broadcaster into a state broadcaster where only the voices of the state and the governing party are elevated to the exclusion of the opposition as well as what the ANC intends to achieve with Protection of Information Bill.

For more information, contact: Sello Dithebe (Provincial Head of Communications and Spokesperson) @ 083 267 6023.

As an Afrikaner businessman with 20 years of community work in Atlantis, Witsand informal settlement and the Cape Flats I was proud to join hands with others when the split in the 2008 ANC Western Cape conference was led by Mbulelo Ncedana. As a previously apolitical individual, although deeply concerned for our country, I was existed when hope filled the hearts of South Africans during the run-up to the formation of COPE. There was hope for my family. Hope for my children.

This Western Cape grassroots movement decided to join hands with many others around the country and formed the Congress of the People during December 2008. What a proud day!

Yet, I was also deeply disturbed by the lack of a transparent and elective process in Bloemfontein. I had quite a vibrant debate at the time with the current Western Cape Provincial Chair around this very issue. I think he was perplexed on why I as a white male preferred to see “numbers dictate” our future as an organization versus a consensus approach that would see the likes of myself stand a better chance of influencing it direction. The short answer is that you will build a weak organization when the grassroots are not involved in the processes. And secondly, I wish to serve a cause instead of having power over people or resources. As such I can serve wherever there is opportunity without wasting my energy to gain power. For I believe that service to the people naturally leads to the required influence to empower ourselves and others in the right direction.

Today, I think it is clear for all to see the weakness of having an unelected leadership as those holding power without being elected by members, endeavour to be reinstated. Nobody really knows how much support they have until the time of election and all manner of tactics are current employed to outwit possible opponents. Of course leaders campaign for re-election and as such influence the elected structures to elect them as the leaders of the people. As such elections are often messy and contention is the order of the day. This is not the problem!

But there is a problem when people in power start to undermine or ignore their own support base. Such an organisation can never survive in the long run. It becomes worse when people are driven into camps due to fear. Such fear will give rise to factions, in-fighting and generate negativity within any organization. Much of this is currently present within COPE. People were driven into camps to support certain groups or individuals largely because of fear or the lust for power. The tactics of division in order to rule is everywhere to be seen.

Where are the true servants of our people? Is there no CNC leader who will rise above the politics of “divide and rule” and take COPE back to the principles of service to our people and country? Who will go to the people and fight for them, instead of themselves? Who will be big enough as to walk together with his advisory for the good of our people?

Unless we listen to one another in order to learn from one another, and then be prepared to take hands to serve our people and organisation, COPE does not have the right to exist.
Let the true servants of the people rise to the fore. And let the people chose leaders that will serve all our people in this country. Let us denounce fear, the lust for power and the cheap politics of division in order to rule.

Who will put us on the right track again?

Johan Boot
Western Cape CPC member

DATE 07 JUNE 2010

Following the unfortunate decision of the Gauteng South High Court yesterday – the Congress of the People has thoroughly studied the judgement and also sought the advice of senior counsel.

It was unanimously agreed that there were grounds for a successful appeal and our legal team was duly instructed to file the relevant papers. Thus, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota and Mr Phillip Dexter’s lawyers were this morning served with the relevant notice and papers were also filled with the court.

Effectively, this move suspends yesterday’s Gauteng South court decision pending the finalisation of the appeal. Consequently, the vote of no confidence passed by the National Congress on Saturday 30 May 2010 stays put until the matter is finalised the courts.

COPE would like to emphasise that even though the matter has unfortunately taken the centre stage in the courts as a power struggle between two or so individuals – this issue remains a political challenge that will be ultimately resolved by the branches. Whatever the outcome of the current legal battles – the permanent solution will be based on the will of the majority.

The leadership of COPE is determined to defend the organisation, its constitution and integrity as mandated at the May National Congress. It is the responsibility of all those who subscribe to democratic principles to make that the will of the majority of legitimate COPE members is never compromised nor thwarted.

When the courts seek to subordinate the congress to the CNC – bona fide leaders and members of COPE have a duty to close ranks and defend that which we think is right and is in line with the party constitution. We will defend the spirit of accountability that is sought by that constitution and make sure that no leader is above the will of the majority.

Over the past few months COPE has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. We had hoped that we would emerge from the congress ready for the political tasks of building unity amongst our members.

We have crafted strategies and tactics aimed at building an efficient and effective machinery for the battles that lie ahead. Our preoccupation, despite the temporary inconveniences, is to reconnect with the people.

Our primary concern is to build a party that is ready to contest and win elections. Unity will paramount as we consolidate this organisation – our unity remains paramount. We will continue to pursue all means possible for unity and political solutions to our current problems even though this may be currently scoffed by those who have taken action against COPE.

This organisation remains optimistic that whilst we will defend our constitution and will of the people vigorously – we will continue to extend a comradely hand to those who continue to locate themselves outside our movement and its internal processes.

The court has today vindicated democracy, fairness and transparency. Justice has been served. By ruling that an unrepresentative, rigged meeting did not have the right to arrogate powers to itself to serve a narrow, factional agenda, the court has ensured that members of COPE alone in their entirety, have the right to elect or recall their leaders though upholding the constitution of the party.

COPE was founded in defense of our countries constitution, democracy and the rule of law. COPE is against corruption, elitism and violence as a method to achieve political objectives. When we as leaders of COPE saw these ugly tendencies becoming prevalent in the party, we had to act. When all avenues in the party were closed to us, we resorted to the courts and we have been vindicated.

Now all members of the party and its leaders in particular must put this ugly chapter behind us. Ours is now to work for unity, healing and reconciliation. There must be no grudges born, no witch-hunting and no driving of members who have made mistakes out of the party.

A key task we have is to restore democracy to our structures, trust between members of the party and public confidence in COPE. We are committed to do that, while at the same time ensuring accountability for actions that have been taken, particularly in relation to the finances of the party which have yet to be properly accounted for.

From here we will go out and build branches so that all members of the party can participate in determining policy, electing leaders and implementing the program of the part in the proper way.

M.G.P. Lekota
President COPE

For all media enquiries and further information, please contact Phillip Dexter Head of Communications COPE on 0824534088.

Media Statement

The Congress of the People was founded on the principles of the respect for the constitution. The judiciary has an important role to mediate the affairs of our country’s citizens and sometimes the outcomes of judicial processes can be what citizens in whatever formation they find themselves may not like. COPE will be the first to respect the court rulings of our land even though we may believe them to be misguided – especially on matters we believe require nothing more than a political solution. In this regard we accept the court ruling as handed down in the South Gauteng High Court this morning and will do everything to comply with its directive.

COPE will study the judgement carefully in order to consider its options for a possible appeal. This does not detract from our respect for its findings. The General Secretary will over the weekend dispatch a communiqué to all members of COPE outlining the implications of this court ruling in relation to the outcomes of last weekend’s National Congress. In the mean time we call on all our members to exercise calm and restraint while awaiting direction from the Congress National Committee that will meet next week to pronounce itself on the latest developments affecting our movement.

Finally we believe that at the end of the day COPE needs to find political solutions to its problems and that no COPE member will gain the confidence of the people by rushing to the courts to intervene no matter how aggrieved they may feel they are. While COPE respects its members’ right to appeal to the courts history has shown that no political authority can be exercised in any other way other than the hard slog of winning the hearts and minds of ordinary people in the branches where the work of COPE to improve the lives of our people is happening every day.

For More Information Contact Onkgopotse JJ Tabane 082 896 8866

DATE: 31 MAY 2010

Following the numerous development around the COPE national congress over the weekend and the instruction give to the leadership to challenge the court interdict granted in favour of the former president – our legal team has now served Mr Lekota legal team filled the notice for an urgent appeal at the Gauteng South High Court.

Furthermore, Mr Lekota and Mr Dexter were served with letters officially by the general secretary which inform them about the weekends’ National Congress vote of no confidence passed on them.

They have subsequently been removed as the president and head of communications, respectively. Subsequently, their membership of the CNC has also been withdraw. This means they are no longer members of any the national leadership structure of the organisation.

The general secretary shall convene a CNC were decision of the National Congress would be discussed and possible future deployment of the two members will be discussed. The former president is expected to vacate his office within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the acting president Mbhazima Shilowa, in his capacity as the party chief whip, and COPE leader parliament, Dr Mvume Dandala, signed the audited financial report to be handed to the secretary of parliament today. The acting president has invited the members of the public to scrutinise the once made public.

ISSUED BY SIPHO NGWEMA ON BEHALF COPE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 082 4998111

PRESIDENT CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE -May 21 2010

I am compelled as the President of the Congress of the People to respond to the “Letter to Party Faithful” released by the General Secretary Charlotte Lobe (see here), which rather long missive threatens the suspension of myself and the Head of Policy Mr. Smuts Ngonyama.

The origin of Ms Lobe’s attack seems to be that in the meeting of the CNC it was” unanimously agreed that the May Congress should go ahead, and that my calling for a postponement is therefore spurious. ” The minutes of that meeting will reflect there were vigorous objections to the proposed Congress! Feelings ran high against the Congress, let there be no doubt. To declare that the “decision was unanimous” is indeed disingenuous. An immediate consequence of the high-handed decision was the pullout of Free State the very next day, and subsequently, two more provinces. In that came Cope National Conference (CNC) meeting, late on Saturday afternoon, towards the tail end of our gathering, it was brought to our attention that of the estimated 2000 odd branches, as many as half have been “disqualified.”

What this means is effectively half of the 1.3m COPE voters are being eliminated in matters of policy and leadership. The Congress of the People becomes a Congress of the Few.

This is not a complicated issue. I have said it before, I will say it again: We, Shilowa, myself, Lobe, Dandala are caretaker-leaders, until such times as we can say, with integrity, we were democratically elected. A true democratic process has never been implemented until now, we as a party were simply too young. This national Congress was meant to put this matter to rights.

However, in order to have this Congress be legitimate, democracy has to start out there, at the branches, work its way up to the eventual leadership. If the branch audit process is flawed or biased, then essentially everything thereafter is flawed! We should not be having a Congress to “save face” or because we, as Leaders, are too proud to admit we are not prepared. What purpose does that serve?

As the President of COPE, my legacy to the party must be one of a legitimate Congress. The leaders, would have liked to have proceeded with a Congress – but it must not be at the expense of more than half our supporters! We need to get our ducks in a row, and then only can we can proceed. Procedurally, we have until December to do prepare.

There is one other matter which makes it common sense to call for a postponement.

The CNC was unable to pass the budget. The coffers are sorely depleted. The Treasurer Ms Ndudi said she would try by all means to facilitate the funding for the conference, and present her recommendations to the Cope Working Committee (CWC) on Monday 24th May. Procedurally it has to be approved on the 27th May, the day the conference is scheduled to start.

Everything points to a common-sense option of postponing until properly prepared.

With our audit procedure in arrears and the threat of a funds freeze as a result thereof, where will we “find” the money? It is this cavalier regard to expenditures that has caused a great rift within the leadership, and indeed, will continue to cause a rift for as long as I am President. In answer to the threat of suspension, let me say I shall be watching with keen interest to see on exactly what basis such a move will be made. COPE CNC members will find it no easy matter to simply purge themselves of those who speak out.

The Congress of the People Voting Structures signed hereunder want to affirm the CNC decision of the last weekend that the National Congress must go ahead as scheduled from the 27th and 30 May 2010 at St Georges Conference centre in Centurion.

The following must be brought to the attention of all South Africans:

1. We are satisfied with the audit of the branches as led by Comrade Neville Mompati. This is a credible process that made sure that no illegal branches are set up while ensuring that branch establishment guidelines are followed.
2. We are satisfied that all preparations for the Congress are in place and that the highest decision making body of COPE must convene and receive reports from its leadership; adopt policies and elect a new national leadership.
3. We reject with contempt the conduct of the President of COPE where despite having chaired the CNC he now questions the decisions of the same CNC to proceed with the National Congress. The so called conditions for the congress to proceed are superfluous as they are dishonest: We want to dismiss them all thus:

* There is no investigation against Comrade Shilowa. The audit of COPE finances both at COPE House and Parliament are almost complete and they will be ready to be scrutinized by the Congress next week.
* There is no basis to use policy readiness as an excuse not to go to conference to account. The Congress has a responsibility to deliberate on the current policy situation at COPE and give the organization direction
* There is no basis to investigate the Provincial Congresses of the Western Cape and Gauteng as demanded by the President. These conferences have nothing to do with the ability of a summit of branches to gather and deliberate. This is part of a desperate attempt to stop the congress at all costs. These matters can be dealt with by the Congress itself or by the newly elected leadership.
* There is no basis for another branch audit. We expect that branches that failed the audit must correct the errors pointed out by the audit team. Their disqualification to come to Congress is not the end of their existence. COPE does not exist merely to go to Congress. We expect the project of branch building to carry on. There are many COPE branches that missed the deadline for Congress but continue to exist and impact on their communities.

4. We note that while they make pronouncements about the state of readiness for the Congress. Lekota and his team continue to speak to the provincial representatives to cut leadership deals for themselves. They have made suggestions to the team to be ‘accommodated’ in the Congress Working Committee. We have not rejected those overtures as our aim is never to exclude but to build an inclusive COPE. We however are alarmed that while these talks are going on the same leaders are giving an impression to the public that the Congress is not going ahead. While our door remains open we will not tolerate dishonesty in this process.

5. We believe that COPE must not once again fall into the trap of a negotiated leadership arrangement. Many of the voting structures represented here today have pronounced on Mbhazima Shilowa as our preferred candidate for COPE Presidency. We reiterate that choice endorsed by our structures as well as various provincial structures that have been meeting over the last three weeks. We know that calls for postponement of the Congress are directly linked to this emerging reality of the emergence of Mr Shilowa. We are also aware that this is why he is a subject of a smear campaign. We reaffirm our confidence in him as a leader of a dynamic collective that will take COPE to the next level.

6. The COPE Women Movement has pronounced yesterday and have endorsed this position. The Youth movement will meet at the weekend and is expected to similarly pronounce as such. The Congress will vote next Friday for a new era of hope in COPE.

Jointly issued by the Provinces of:
Gauteng – John – 082 335 4189
Eastern Cape – Andile – 083 294 7557
Limpopo – Avhatakali – 079 752 6266
Free State – Ralabese – 072 874 2286
North West – Professor – 082 971 2725
Northern Cape – Mayenzeke – 082 296 6092
Western Cape – Mbulelo – 084 224 0098
COPE Youth Movement – Sthembiso – 079 620 3873
COPE Womens Movement – Nozipho – 076 684 7736

For Media Inquiries Please Contact
Onkgopotse JJ Tabane
Head of the Technical Committee for Congress Preparations
082 896 8866

EVENTS LEADING TOWARD CONGRESS
THE FACT SHEET

When the Congress of the People was conceived, many South African from all walks of life identified with this cause in an effort to save the country from collapse as led by the ruling group. The principles under which COPE was established are well articulated in the National Manifesto on which we mobilize all South African citizens. These principles and values remain relevant today.

As we gravitated towards the inaugural Congress of COPE on the 16th December 2008, many people joined or associated themselves with this organisation in large numbers. Whilst the principles and values were well articulated, some would have come with other intentions some of which were more personal than the cause. Aware of these realities, we proceeded towards the inaugural congress which was a great success in many respects albeit with serious limitations.
In this Congress, participants at the Congress agreed not to elect leadership but to appoint on consensus a collective of leadership whose primary mandate was to lead the organisation towards a successful elections campaign and convene a FIRST elective Congress within a period of 18 to 24 months. This would enable such leadership collective to establish COPE as an organisation with basic features of a living organism.

The decision not to elect leadership has been proven to be the most devastating decision for this organisation from day one, however, this was more expressed as the organisation had to decide on the Presidential Candidate for COPE. A decision well taken and executed and which was consistent with the policy position of the inaugural Congress. This is a decision that COPE must at all times be proud of.

It is however, clear that this is a decision that has not set well with some of the leading members of this new organisation.
In the Congress National Committee of July 2009, the correctness of the decision was however confirmed by all.
In May 2009, in a National Strategic Session, the CNC instructed members of COPE and leaders to prioritise the Establishment of Branches across the Voting Districts of the country. This was to be the most important task for COPE members.

In this regard, the CNC instructed that guideline to regulate this process be made ready and this was done as early as July 2009. So the process of establishing basic units of the organisation started. All CNC members were in this regard, instructed to ensure that their own branches were established. So, the work of establishing branches began and as such, provinces were to report on the progress on a regular basis and this was done in every CNC since.
This process, would have naturally led to the assembly of branches of COPE, the First National Elective Congress of the COPE. Indeed some amongst the CNC took this task with tardiness and it can be argued that to date some remain with no branches where they reside.

Guided by regular provincial reports through the State of the Organisation report, the Congress Working Committee convened a Special CNC meeting on the 5th of February 2010, to consider amongst others a CWC proposal on the convening of the National Congress. There were only two items on the agenda for this CNC in the main.
On the National Congress, the CWC presented various options guided by the inaugural congress resolution to convene the first National Congress within a period of 18-24 months from the inaugural congress. After thorough considerations, the CNC resolved to convene the National Congress for the 27th to 30th May 2010 in Gauteng province.
In closing the said CNC meeting, the President declared that a campaign for leadership of COPE has started. He declared contest between himself and his deputy and instructed all to go out and campaign either for himself or his deputy. He declared his availability within the country until congress and warned all CNC members that the process will require resources. So the President started the campaign for leadership on the 5th of February 2010.

As part of this decision, the CNC established a National Congress Preparatory Committee under the political leadership of the General Secretary. In the same CNC, a cutoff date for branches to be established for participation at the National Congress was set for the 31st of March 2010.

Naturally, from that day, members of COPE individually and as collectives began to engage in a thinking process about leadership of this organisation beyond Congress. It should be said that the CNC held in November 2010 would have adopted a framework on leadership issues within COPE.
The Congress Preparatory Committee started its work from the onset. Regular reports were presented both to the CWC and CNC and progress was always appreciated.

The CNC in March 2010 adopted Terms of Reference for audit of branches and re-affirmed the principles guiding leadership issues in COPE. At this point leadership discussions were at an advanced stage albeit differently from one province to another.

Audit of branches took place in April 2010 with reports regularly presented. An audit committee was adopted by the CWC to discharge its responsibilities as elaborated in the terms of reference. Two teams were assembled and dispatched to all nine provinces.

On the 2nd of May 2010, the CNC adopted nomination guidelines for branches to begin the process of nominating and as such this process began from the 3rd of May 2010. Branches pronounced their preferences and these were presented and consolidated in either Provincial General Councils and/or Provincial Congresses some of which would have been held on the weekend of the 8th of May 2010.

It is at the time when branches of COPE began to pronounce their preferences on leadership and in particular on the Presidency, that things changed.

The nominations were clearly preferring the current 1st Deputy President of COPE instead of the serving President as a candidate to take the Congress of the People beyond establishment phase.

Some few members of the currently serving Congress National Committee were not nominated whilst the majority was retained. Cdes Ngonyama and Philip Dexter are not yet nominated into the CWC whilst the rest has been retained like, Cdes Shilowa, Lobe, Dr. Dandala, Nolitha Vukuza, Lyndall Shope Mafole, Mluleki George etc. New leaders have been nominated to the CWC.

Cdes Julie Kilian, Madisha, etc have been nominated to serve in the Congress National Committee thus far.
The two comrades have since made it their business to campaign for the postponement of the Congress against the CNC decision which they participated.

It must be confirmed that only Mpumalanga province had proposed without convincing reasons, the postponement of Congress. This was entertained and with Cdes Ngonyama and Dexter present, the CNC arrived at a conclusion that there is no basis for postponement of Congress.
The last CNC held on the 14 to 15 May 2010, adopted the following as part of Congress Preparation and reflections on the state of readiness.

* Electoral College to preside on the elections process was adopted;
* Appointment of the EISA to technically run elections was affirmed;
* Affirmed Congress budget as was adopted on the 2nd of May;
* Nomination of delegates forms as distributed;
* Draft Congress Programme was adopted;
* Draft State of the Organisation Report to Congress was adopted;
* Noted the draft audited financial report to Congress;
* The National Audit Report was adopted;
* Allocation of delegates to Congress by provinces was adopted;
* Re-affirmed the registration process and fees for all Congress participants;
* Province submitted list of their guests to Congress;
* Instructed the CWC to further finalise budget and procurement process;
* Discussed and adopted draft Political Perspective Document, draft Policies and draft Constitutional Amendments towards Congress;
* The CNC on the 2nd of May, approved the convening of both Gauteng and Western Cape Congress as long as they would have demonstrated to the General Secretary their state of readiness including the audit process that was near completion;
* The CNC on the 2nd of May 2010 resolved that the General Secretary shall be the main spokesperson on all matters related to National Congress;
* Payment and final visit to the Congress venue was conducted by the Deputy President and National Treasurer whilst the CNC was in session; and last but not least
* The CNC declared that we are READY for Congress.

What is this so-called non readiness?

Yes, it can be said that these comrades who have decided to undermine the CNC collective and turned themselves into COPE spokespersons, are not ready. Their definition of COPE readiness for Congress is when they are nominated into certain positions of their choice. So, they are NOT ready if they are not nominated, Strange.
Who is not ready?

We must ask the question, whether the state of readiness is measured through nomination process?
We must ask the question, why Cde Ngonyama has turned himself to be a Spokesperson of COPE? CNC gave this responsibility to General Secretary.

Why these comrades when they lose nomination by branches, want COPE to collapse. Is COPE about them NOT the people?

Why would Cde Ngonyama see it necessary and correct to undermine the CNC decision and go out to media to contradict the official spokesperson of COPE on the matter of National Congress? What kind of behavior is this?

The President of COPE on the 5th of February said we must go out and campaign, why would he now argue that the CNC is not ready to convene Congress? Is it because he has not yet been nominated for the position of the President.
Comrades, COPE is not an organisation of the leaders but an organisation of the people.

COPE is not about National Congress but about the well being of the lives of the poor masses of this country.
COPE exists pre-congress and must exist post-congress. There shall be COPE after the 30th of May 2010.
Our focus should be to look at COPE beyond Congress towards the Local Government Elections 2011, the General

Elections 2014 and faster to the General Elections of 2019 when we must present a case to South Africans to give COPE a chance to demonstrate its commitments.

So what is happening?

Very few currently serving members of CWC (Ngonyama and Dexter) are forcing members of COPE to nominate them into the CWC failure of which the Congress of the People must not execute its Constitutional Responsibility and continue to be led by leadership of consensus. This is about their own personal egos and ambitions to be in leadership position of their choices.

Some want to be chosen by forcing members of COPE to be elevated to serve in structures that COPE members seem to be unanimously agreeing that they are not ready to serve in.

These comrades as written in their Press Statement of the 18th of May 2010, decided to constitute themselves into a group called “members and leaders supporting the re-election of Mosiuoa Lekota as President of COPE”. This is a group that in their press statement is mobilizing for a split in the party and further defines the vision of each of the envisaged COPE as they argue that “there are two different visions of COPE that members need to consider and debate and then decide between”

This is very clear a call for what they call a split. This is extremely urgent and requires urgent attention.
What has to be done?

* There are more compelling reasons for the National Congress to convene as planned.
* There is an URGENT need to establish whether there are any grounds for the Congress not to proceed as planned.
* Members of COPE in particular branches MUST be told the TRUTH, therefore Thursday and Friday MUST be used to be get into direct CONTACT with members explaining the above.
* All resources required to discharge this political responsibility must be made available NOW.
* Provinces, Regions, Sub Regions and Branches must tell the National their state of readiness for the Congress.
* Provinces, Regions, Sub Regions and Branches MUST tell the CNC their state of readiness for Congress.
* Drastic actions MUST be taken against members of the CNC who publicly misrepresent the decisions of the CNC and break the protocol of the organisation.
* Participation of every CNC member is important.

We must at this moment of call appreciate that ours shall and should be a struggle. No easy struggles and therefore commitment and sacrifice should be the order of the day.
We have the masses to defend and lead our struggle, let’s give them all the information to be able to discharge their responsibility of saving the struggle.

All is possible.
Thanks

20 May 2010

Dear Members of COPE,

The last few weeks have been challenging for COPE. Members of COPE not too close to all the goings on have had reason to ask after the health of our organization and our readiness to go to our highest decision making body of our organizations. The CNC has made a deliberate decision at the beginning of this year to steer the organization towards this very important milestone of our organizations. To prepare for this a Congress Preparatory Committee largely made of our provincial secretaries was constituted to oversee this process. Our mandate is about to come to an end as we are on the eve of that historic congress. Ahead of this conference a deadline for the launching of branch was set at 31 March. I want to thank all of you who worked hard to make sure that the branches as a basic unit of our organization are in place ready to serve your communities.

It is with pleasure that I report to you that the national audit for all our branches are now complete. Your branch leadership should by now have received the outcomes of the audit. This audit has produced a staggering 2316 branches of the Congress of the People. Only a few branches did not meet the simple requirements of the audit team. That 25 people needed to be present, sign the attendance register and pay the required membership fee.
The table below summarised the outcomes of the audit as well as the constitution of our conference:

VOTING DELEGATES EXPECTED IN THE CONGRESS

Eastern Cape: Delegates as per the formulae 615; Branches launched 644; Total number of delegates 644

Free State: Delegates as per the formulae 162; Branches launched 113; Total number of delegates 162

Gauteng: Delegates as per the formulae 138; Branches launched 167; Total number of delegates 167

Kwazulu Natal: Delegates as per the formulae 37; Branches launched 1; Total number of delegates 37

Limpopo: Delegates as per the formulae 391; Branches launched 176; Total number of delegates 391

Mpumalanga: Delegates as per the formulae 2; Branches launched 2; Total number of delegates 2

Northern Cape: Delegates as per the formulae 185; Branches launched 98; Total number of delegates 185

North West : Delegates as per the formulae 198; Branches launched 63; Total number of delegates 198

Western Cape: Delegates as per the formulae 266; Branches launched 232; Total number of delegates 266

Grand Total: Delegates per fomulae 1 994 Branches launched 1 496 Total number of delegates 2 052

Total Number of Branch Delegates: 2 052

The remaining 10% of the other category of delegates is the COPEWM, COPEYM and PILG’s. The 10% of 2 052 is 205. The constitution does not provide any formulae for the allocation of the remaining 10%. It is hereby proposed that the COPEWM and COPEYM should be allocated 40% of this 205, namely, 80 and the PILG’s/CPC share the remainder equally

COPEWM 40 delegates
COPEYM 40 delegates
PILG’s 127 delegates = 125 divide by 9 equals to 13.6 = 14 x 9 = 126

The CNC as National Congress host structure will attend as voting delegates. The following is an outline of the CNC delegation:

* 36 Directly elected members
* 18 Provincial Chairpersons and Secretaries
* 4 National Chairpersons and Secretaries of COPEWM and COPEYM
* Total 58

Categories of voting delegates

Branch Voting Delegates: 2 052; Provinces and Chapters: 206; CNC:58; Total: 2 316

Congress Preparations

The Congress Technical Committee has given consistent reports about Preparations. Members will be pleased to know that all necessary arrangements to receive delegates are in place.

Date: 27 – 30 May 2010.
Venue: St Georges Conference Centre, Centurion.
Theme: Keeping the Hope for Change Alive.
Programme Highlights: The receipt of the Political, Organizational and Financial Report. The discussion of draft COPE Policies.

Calls for Postponement of Congress

In an unfortunate development there are certain leaders of COPE who have been making calls outside the formal structures of COPE for the Congress to be postpones. What is strange and unacceptable is that these calls were never made even in a meeting as recently convened as last weekend.

Ill adviced as these calls may be It is crucial that the organization deals squarely with issues that are being raised by these comrades systematically. The forum to deal with these organizational matters are the structures of the organization that all these comrades have full access to. The only conclusion we can arrive at is that this is a deliberate ploy to disrupt preparations for the conference and defocus delegates who are preparing themselves for this historic inaugural elective conference.

1. On a demand for an investigation against the deputy President. There is no investigation against comrade Shilowa. The COPE books are being audited both at head office and in parliament. Both process are going on very smoothly. In fact the CNC has already approved preliminarily the Treasurer’s report that will serve next week in front of Congress. We are on track to receive a full report from our parliamentary team at Congress next week.

2. On the issue of audit of branches. On Monday we released a report on the audit of our membership and branches. This report has enabled us to determine the delegation to conference. According to this report approved unanimously by the CNC ,2316 branches have passed the audit and can send delegates to congress. There is no basis for any new audit of our membership and COPE reject outright any calls for such an audit from whatever quarters are being made

3. The policy discussions at COPE have been going on since Bloemfontein. We believe that the national congress must give direction regarding work in this regard despite the quality of the work that may have been produced thus far. The matter of policy deliberations at branches is not a reason to stall conference. The CNC has appreciated the reasons why the policy documents under the stewardship of Comrade Smust Ngonyama have not been released early enough and in fact led to the failure of the Policy Indaba originally scheduled for April 2010.

4. The CNC has not received any formal complaints about the Provincial conferences of Gauteng or the Western Cape. These matters are irrelevant to the sitting of the national congress even if they were raised. The Congress is a summit of COPE branched that will sit unencumbered by any provincial conference outcomes.

A note to delegates

All delegates are expected to report to the accreditation centre in Pretoria on the 27th May 2010 between the hours of 9 oclock in the morning up to 23:00. Delegates must produce positive identification in the form of an ID a passport or a drivers licence in order to receive an accreditation card that will give them access to their document pack and meal vouchers for the duration of the conference. It is this accreditation and your ID that you will need to access the conference venue in St Georges where all the congress will commence at 08:00 on the 28th May 2010.

Delegates must also note that documents for commission discussions are now available on the COPEE website for preparations. Please ensure that you read these in preparations for the deliberations of this important conference.
For those that will not be able to follow conference proceedings these will be summarised into an informative post conference publication. Those with access to the internet a pod cast of the open sessions of the conference will be available from mid morning of the first day of the conference.

I look forward to welcoming your delegations to this historical national congress.
In the mean time please do keep the hope for change alive!

Sincerely,

Charlotte Lobe
General Secretary

The Congress of the People regrets the passing of one of South Africa’s pioneers of racial reconciliation, Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert.

The Congress National Committee of COPE, meeting today in Johannesburg, noted the significant contribution he had made to South African politics, as a student, as an MP, as Leader of the Opposition in the then Parliament and as a civil society activist.

Slabbert was a visionary in a time when it was easy to conveniently ignore the injustice of the system of Apartheid. His moral objection to the Tricameral system led to him leaving Parliament with the conviction that if he could not change the system from within, he would focus his energy on forcing change from the outside.

As one of the leaders of the Dakar group, he was instrumental in opening up negotiations with the ANC in exile, an unprecedented gambit which shocked the Apartheid government. He was an Afrikaner intellectual who saw the shape of things to come.

Despite having their passports revoked by PW Botha’s National Party government, these meetings paved the way for further negotiations with the liberation movement in exile, a courageous rebellion against a system which was designed to offer privilege to Afrikaners.

One of the unfinished works of this great man is the Commission on Electoral Reform. Van Zyl Slabbert’s proposal on reform was a marriage of proportional representation and a constituency based system, thus making elected representatives directly accountable to the people.

Cope is of the opinion that such a system would do wonders for accountability and transparency, resulting in better service delivery. Such reform is a critical part of the Cope Manifesto.

We call on President Zuma to revive this debate by revisiting Slabbert’s proposal. This would be in the best interests of the people of South Africa, and surely a fitting tribute to an icon of the liberation.

The Congress of the People offers its condolences to the Slabbert family, his comrades who served with him in politics and especially the broader family of Stellenbosch University, his Alfa Mater and institution where he served as Chancellor.

Cope intends to consult with interested and affected parties to support the nomination for a posthumous award for Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert.

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

Media Statement

CNC approves policy documents and allocation of delegates

The Congress National Committee meeting held over the last weekend has unanimously given the thumbs up for all preparations for the COPE National Congress scheduled for the 27th to 30 May at the St Georges Conference Centre near Irene in Pretoria. The CNC has approved the draft policy documents that will form the basis of policy discussions at the congress and has called on all members of COPE and society in general to engage with these policies. The accreditation report that was produced as a result of the branch audit has also been presented and approved by the CNC – given green light for branches to send delegates to the much awaited conference. Speaking to the media in Johannesburg COPE General Secretary Charlotte Lobe said: “ The CNC is satisfied that all crucial components of conference preparations are in place for a successful national Congress and has called on branches to prepare themselves thoroughly to make it a success”

Policy Documents

The CNC has released a document named Cope: Political Perspectives that starts key debates on matters such as the ideological orientation and the future of COPE in the political landscape of South This document will be available today on the COPE website and the various COPE Facebook Pages for the Congress and will be widely circulated in public.
The second set of documents are draft COPE policy documents covering the following key themes:
· A new economic direction
· Social Policy
· Governance, Government and Civil Society
· Security and Justice

“ These policy documents will be the heart of the 16 commissions that will constitute the COPE conference next week and will ensure that delegates have enough to deliberate on for COPE to emerge with a much stronger policy framework to be able to tackle the challenges facing both the organization and indeed the country”. These policies will guide COPE’s life in the community as well as its public representatives at the national level and in all provincial legislatures where COPE is represented.

Congress Delegations

The CNC has approved the national audit report and the preliminary allocation of delegates using the delegations formula approved by the CNC early this year. This follows a thorough national audit of membership and branches. The audit has brought the CNC to the following determination of the delegations that will constitute congress: The Eastern Cape has the biggest delegation at 644 delegates and Mpumalanga with the smallest delegation of 2 delegates. The rest of the provinces will be represented as follows:

Western Cape 266
North West 198
Limpopo 391
Free State 162
Gauteng 167
Northern Cape 185
KZN 37

These numbers brings the total number of delegates expected to attend congress to 2316 delegates. With staff, Guests and non voting delegates the conference is expected to be just under 3000 strong giving way to a robust exchanges over the 3 days.

Congress Theme: ‘Keeping the hope for change alive’

The CNC has preliminarily approved the Organizational and Financial reports of the congress. These will be made available at Congress. The accreditation for delegates and guests will commence on Thursday the 27th of May at 09 am and will continue until 11 pm on the same day at the Manhattan Hotel in Pretoria.

The congress under the theme: “Keeping the hope for change alive” will officially open on the 28th May 2010 at 08h30 with the President‘s Political Report expected to be delivered from 10 am. The Afternoon will be occupied by credentials adoption, constitutional discussion as well as the presentation of the organizational report by the General Secretary. The elections for the office bearers is expected to get underway in the first evening of the congress with results announcements to be done at 11 am on the 29th of November.

Policy Discussions will happen in various commissions that will happen on the second day of the conference and to be concluded on the last day when the congress declaration will be adopted ahead of the inaugural address of the newly elected President of the party. The congress hopes to conclude its business by mid day on the 30th of May 2010.
We are satisfied that all the logistical arrangements for the conference are in place and there should be no hitches for the staging of a successful and memorable conference. We are aware that the eyes of the whole country will be on us as we conduct this task and we will do our best to come out of this stronger as an organization” Concluded Lobe.

Issued by the Congress of the People
Monday 17th May 2010

For more information please contact
Onkgopotse JJ Tabane
Head of the Technical Committee
082 896 8866

We note with great concern the events within COPE over the past year, and particularly the past month:

• The divisive struggle among the National leadership

• The lack of good governance in COPE

• The move by Provincial and Regional structures to make decisions to support one or other candidate, without proper participation from branches

We note that leadership is not a right, but a privilege which needs to be earned through hard work, respectful dealings with others, servant leadership and we wish to remind COPE leadership, at all levels, of this.

We joined COPE because it initially stood for democratic processes, unity of purpose, a united South Africa and a strong stand against corruption.

We call on all COPE members at all levels to recommit themselves to:

1. Work with the people of South Africa to improve their circumstances

2. Commit themselves to South Africa rather than to individuals and groups of people

3. Work on practical projects to reduce the massive gap between rich and poor

4. Servant leadership

5. Listen closely to and taking seriously the opinions of all South Africans

6. Listen closely to and taking seriously the opinions of COPE branches

7. Uphold democracy in whatever they do and say

8. Transparency, and open honest communication

9. Encourage freedom of speech in all party business

10. The democratic endorsement of sound processes to guide deliberations and elections

11. Build a country which encourages its people to make use of the many opportunities which exist, to uplift themselves, and build the communities in which they operate.

12. Fight opportunism, entitlement and cronyism

13. Good Governance

14. Fight divisiveness wherever we find it

We encourage new leadership to make themselves available so as to break the current divisive leadership struggle

We encourage other branches to join the debate around these issues

Southern Suburbs branch

My fellow South Africans,

These weeks have shown me something I almost forgot… COPERS demand one thing from their leader, and that is the ability to unite South Africans – to steer a political party to its rightful place in the political arena, a government in waiting.

How can COPE redeem this intolerable situation, wherein the entire country’s perception is that the leaders of COPE are at each other’s throats, not just at the expense of the Party, but indeed, of the country.

South Africa needs strong opposition. COPE, in spite of the chaos and disorganization symptomatic of a party a few weeks old, won 1.7m votes! Imagine the results if COPE were to be seen to be fulfilling its promise to the people of South Africa, that of being a political home for all South Africans.

It has been alleged by the media that mine was an “apology under fire”. I say herein, no one will force me to apologise when I do not feel such an apology is deserved. Therefore, my apology was sincere. Throughout my life I have served the South African people, guided by my principles – I am said to be obstinate and indeed, if it can be argued that obstinacy is the worst of me, let it also be said that it is the best of me.

However, the fact of the matter is I was wrong to act outside of the structures laid down by the CNC and publicly charge my Deputy President with mismanagement of funds before the outcome of an audit. I offer no excuses, but I do offer a lesson learnt:

Those privy to the inner workings of COPE can understand the leadership frustrations of the COPE triumvirate. The reality is 15 months ago, both Mr Shilowa and I tried to please the public. South Africans who were weary of corruption, weary of empty promises, sat up and took notice when gatvol, Shilowa and myself said, “Enough is enough!” 2 | P a g e o f 3 CK 2008/026811/08

South Africans listened. It appeared South Africans everywhere had had enough. Here was a party promising a viable alternative! With cheers ringing in our ears and a brandishing the COPE colours, Mr Shilowa and myself led the charge.

Almost immediately we made our first mistake. In hindsight, the decision we took fifteen months ago must surely be one of the biggest blunders in South African Public Relations history. We, a select few, chose leadership for the COPE masses, instead of allowing the voice of the masses to be heard and recognized.

There can be no doubt our actions then, determining COPE leadership structures in a rush, did not work effectively for COPE, and was indicative of the teething mistakes of a new Party.

The end result was a party hamstrung by a lack of clear and decisive leadership. Both Mr Shilowa and myself (I believe few would argue that either of us have the ability to take COPE to the next level) stood back and conceded, reluctantly, to relinquish total captaincy. We believed we did the correct thing then for the good of the Party.

A ship should only have one captain. Ours was a course which set our young ship heading towards icebergs and infested waters.

That same idealism of integrity, transparency, led me to act in a manner which ultimately brought my party into disrepute.

This was never my intention. I am deeply committed to an alternative party for the South African masses and if that means my head on a platter to keep the party’s hopes and aspirations alive, then so be it. COPE will always be bigger than Masiuoa Lekota. Cope belongs to the South African people.

COPE is indeed a Congress of the People, and I hope to always hold my head up up high, proud that I am a part of its forming! COPE must not suffer as a result of leadership dilemmas. The way forward is clear:

The people of SA must once again be persuaded that the founders of COPE had a clear vision of a party to embrace all South Africans, and that vision will triumph over personal failings.

Therefore I am going to urge the party to convene the National Congress as scheduled in May, urge my supporters to abide by any outcome of such an election. I stand by my call for an audit, and take hope from the fact that the CNC has resolved to appoint an audit company as a matter of urgency. As the current leader of COPE, if there was corruption on my watch, I will take full responsibility. Such responsibility demanded action. I am much encouraged by the decision that the CNC has pledged transparency in the matter of COPE’s forthcoming audit. 3 | P a g e o f 3 CK 2008/026811/08

I have been inundated by calls of support and to those supporters, I ask that you remember that your allegiance is to COPE, and not to me. Whatever the outcome of the Cope May elections , then that outcome must be respected. To those of you who feel I brought shame upon the party, I say most humbly, that I made my call as the President of the Congress of the People, that albeit my public announcement was premature, let history show that my failing was one of over-zealousness and never one of malice.

My allegiance is now, and ever will be, to the people of South Africa.

Mosiuoa Lekota.

Issued by the Office of Mosiuoa Lekota, Congress of the People, May 5 2010

The CNC of COPE met over the last two days. The leadership dealt with a wide range of issues and had an open, robust and frank engagement. The last few weeks have been trying ones for COPE, but the CNC is sure that the party has emerged stronger from these experiences. The CNC resolved the following:

It condemned the march of so-called COPE youth on its HQ. The memorandum they handed in was rejected and resolved that in future all members should take up any issues they have through the appropriate structures.

The CNC also condemned the COPE YM statement of 26 April 2010 in which a number of its leaders were insulted. This has brought the organization into disrepute and such behavior will no longer be tolerated.
The CNC also condemned the public spat on radio Metro between Phillip Dexter and Andile Nkhulu. Any such issues and differences should be dealt with in the structures of the party.

On COPE 4 HOPE the CNC resolved to investigate this organization and for the duration of the investigation Mr. Hennie Kieser of COPE 4 HOPE is to be suspended as a member of COPE.

The so-called audit of membership systems conducted by Mr. Kieser is rejected as unauthorized and the only audit of branches that has any status is that headed by Mr. Neville Mompati.

The CNC also condemned the statement and utterances of the President in relation to the allegations of the mismanagement of the Parliamentary funds. This action was an error of judgment on President Lekota’s part. His apology to the meeting and to the members of COPE was accepted by the CNC. The Deputy President, Mbhazima Shilowa remains innocent until proven otherwise of any of the allegations regarding the Parliamentary funds.
The CNC confirmed the nomination process tabled at the CNC of September 2009. In this regard no negative lobbying or character assassination will be tolerated. COPE will ensure that its candidates act in a disciplined fashion and that the process of lobbying for these individuals is one that builds the organization by ensuring that it is a democratic and fair process.

The CNC reiterated its stance on fighting corruption and declared that it would ensure that all audits of party and Parliamentary funds were finalized in the required period.

For all media enquiries please contact Ms Charlotte Lobe on 082-4968025

26 APRIL 2010

A special meeting of the Congress National Committee (CNC) of the Congress of the People was convened by the General Secretary, Ms Charlotte Lobe, to take place at the Headquarters of the Party. The Special meeting was called to, receive a report on the national audit process that was underway, discuss the state of readiness for National Congress at the end of May and consider the recommendation of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to postpone Regional and Provincial Congresses until audits are done.

The meeting formed a quorum, however, after some discussion decided to support the proposal of the General Secretary not to proceed as a formal meeting as neither the President nor Deputy President were present and important matters were on the Agenda.

The meeting decided that the Special CNC should reconvene on Sunday 02 April, 2010 to continue with the work at hand, a decision that was formalised by a special Congress Working Committee meeting that convened immediately following the Special CNC meeting. All provinces were urged to consider the documentation distributed at the meeting in preparation for the meeting that would now take place on Sunday 2nd May 2010.

ISSUED BY GENERAL SECRETARY CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE

For enquiries: 082 4968 025

The ruling party is riddled with contradictions and dishonesty regarding its alleged divestment from Hitachi through its business arm, Chancellor House. Given the recent news of the approval of the World Bank loan to the South African government to facilitate Eskom’s build program, divestment will still make the ruling party a huge profit. With the share price in Hitachi power Africa boosted by this news, divestment will bring a windfall to the coffers of the ANC in the form of profit from selling these shares.

Now that Chancellor House Holdings managing director Mamatho Netsianda and the Secretary General of the ANC have gone on record in contradicting the ruling party’s Treasurer General Mathews Phosa by stating that Chancellor House will not divest from Hitachi, it is clear to us in COPE that the ANC is using its position as the ruling party to loot the state coffers.

It is therefore easy to see how the government can have a vested financial interest in failing to deliver infrastructure and services to ordinary South Africans – it profits from the extra costs to upgrade these.

The ruling alliance partners, namely the SACP and COSATU, also appear to stand by such cynical profiteering off the misery of ordinary people. If they seek to maintain their alliance in the face of such a hypocritical contradiction to their core principals, then it is clear that the leadership of these organisations are more interested in self-enrichment than the plight of the poor. They have all cried loudly about tenderpreneurs, lifestyle audits and dealing with corruption. What they mean is that its business as usual and everyone else must stop looting the state, presumably to leave more for them to plunder!

The answer to this is for voters to have a serious look at how they vote in the upcoming municipal elections and treat their vote as a protest against the greed and corruption in the ruling party. It is easy for ordinary citizens to see how they are being duped into voting for a party that continues to profit from their seemingly deliberate failures on delivering on their oft-stated mandate of a better life for all.

COPE stands for the change in the electoral system, and for a drastic overhaul in accountability regarding the private funding of political parties. At all times funding must be accountable and transparent to all South Africans, as the Hitachi / Chancellor House episode demonstrates quite clearly how easily the future of an entire country can be bought and sold at the whim of the political elite.

An ad-hoc committee must be constituted by Parliament as soon as possible, so that the legislature can look at ways of protecting the interests of all South Africans from the greed of a few.

For more information contact Phillip Dexter on 082 453 4088

INTRODUCTION

“The conference may well be earlier. Some of us would argue that it’s time for the current leadership to hand over”. This is a quotation of the Mail & Guardian Online’s quotation of Andile Nkuhlu in their issue of July 20, 2009. Nkuhlu was cited at an interview with three other COPE “prominent young leaders” barely three months after the voters of South Africa showed overwhelming support for the leadership of the three month old party. The article, to the chagrin of most of COPE members and supporters, was the first public evidence of the livelihood of the pre-election Dandala and Chikane debacles, and that the dislike for the leadership installed at the Bloemfontein inaugural conference in December 2008 by a few “prominent leaders” was still alive.

While the whole leadership wrangle was simmering in the corridors of COPE House and the public were treated to small doses of in the media, the youth leadership, who have been at logger-heads with the CNC for the months, and have all the reasons to settle scores, were successfully lobbied to join the fight to remove the national leadership. And the most legitimate way to remove the said leadership would be to call for an early elective conference. This became the plot.
In a statement issued January 11 the COPEYM agitated for an earlier date for the National Elective Congress of COPE. This call was echoed by a document released by the COPE Gauteng PGC released 23 January 2010. More important, however, are the stark similarities in the tone and attitude of the documents and this present paper seeks to analyse the source of this coalescence of ideas.

It is, however, worth noting that the PGC report states, “COPE Youth Movement has drafted a discussion document which analyses the current state of the organisation and make pronouncements as a way forward. The National Steering Committee of the Youth is meeting today to consolidate positions from the different provinces on the discussion document. What is our take on the content of this discussion paper?”
The similarities are in the following:

• The early date of the national elective congress.
• The alleged poor national leadership
• Lack of policy in the organisation
• A defunct national administration
• The alleged factional behaviour of all CNC members that do interact with the people

The only other point raised in the COPEYM document is the poor performance of COPE parliamentarians.

It is evident that the release of the COPEYM and the Gauteng PGC draft documents were well-orchestrated and the two structures, or more appropriate, their leaders, are acting in concert on this matter. The whole early conference affair with its ancillary Dandala and Chikane debacles militates for an in-depth investigation and analysis. We hope to complete that analysis and present it to the broader COPE membership and South African populace for debate. For the moment, though, we will adopt a hypothetical stance that there are, at least, two main reasons why we are in this quagmire:

1. The current national leadership, or a few of them have made such great blunders that they really need to be deposed and that Terror Lekota has to be replaced by a Mbhazima Shilowa as the two are diametrically opposite in all aspects and that the latter is a thousandfold a better leader than the former in all respects.

2. The “prominent young leaders” are the holiest and brightest of all COPE members and whatever they think or do should be taken as gospel truth.

COPE Gauteng has, for some reason, been used as the guinea-pigs in the whole fracas, this because the Provincial Secretary, who spear-headed the Dandala and Chikane projects, has probably offered the province for the experiment.
The PGC document states, “In this report we are frank and honest in how we look at ourselves (introspection) and how we are faltering in building this organisation. Some of these errors of judgement are done with good intentions and that is by default some by design.” One would expect that the PGC would delve into provincial issues and interrogate the way the province was run and chart a way forward to improve the image of the party in the eyes of the electorate. Instead, the document presents no evidence of such introspection but instead it, from start to finish, apportions blame on either the ANC or the CNC/CWC.

The provincial secretary, however, apportioned blame selectively; he assumes that the CNC is a one-man show and that this individual should take all responsibility for all COPE blunders. A case in point is affirmative action. To this day, more than a year after the inaugural conference in Bloemfontein, the entire CNC, including John Ngcebetsha and the rest of the “prominent young leaders”, have not ensured that the party holds a policy conference to debate matters of that ilk. In a nutshell, the president of the party cannot be blamed for lack of policy on any matter.

Another example is the fuzzy position of the party’s constitution. Members are told that sections of or the entire constitution is suspended and as a result the whole party is running without rules. As a result the Gauteng PILG has for months been formulating its own rules, guidelines and structures that have taken far-reaching decisions, all to the detriment of the party. The question is whether the president failed in ensuring that the party adopts a constitution or not, and if he did, what role did the deputy president play to remedy the situation. It is also unfortunate that members of COPE should learn the truth about the fate of the constitution from Stephen Grootes, that the responsibility to finalise the constitution on behalf of the CNC was the role of John Ngcebetsha who did a lousy cut-n-paste job of the African National Congress document. The CNC discovered this incompetence on the part of Ngcebetsha in November 2009 and one can imagine the embarrassment he suffered in that seating. We pray that these are not the reasons why Gauteng and the country are being put under such pressure to hold regional, provincial and the national congress.

The poor administration of the party’s national office is certainly not Terror Lekota’s fault as he is not the general secretary. It is a known fact that the general secretary will neither acknowledge receipt nor reply to a letter from anyone. It is astonishing that she is not in the radar of those that the youth and the “prominent young leaders” seek to remove from office as she has completely failed the party. However, this is all our fault: all the delegates to Bloemfontein agreed to have the incumbent office-bearers in office and the onus should not be on a few elite to decide when they should go.

The CNC are a collective leadership of the Congress of the People at national level and they should collectively accept and bear the brunt of any criticism. The deputy president can, therefore, not be absolved of any misjudgement by the CNC collective. The on-going feud and shenanigans played by those that orchestrate for the removal of selected people can only be explained by the existence of unconfirmed rumours that the financial backers of the Congress of the People demand the removal of the current leadership otherwise they will cease their support. The other explanation is the far-fetched notion of Xhosa-Nostra orchestrated politics, and we reject it with the contempt it deserves.

Having said the above, we also believe that the democratic processes of electing leadership should be left to unfold naturally. Inherent in democracy is the whole notion of a level playing field where all eligible candidates are given an equal opportunity to canvas for support, the rules of engagement should be agreed to by all and independent monitoring should be put in place. This is not what is happening in Gauteng: the PILG, at the behest of Ngcebetsha, has sprung surprises at the majority of COPE membership in the province. In fact, they have deliberately pushed for regional conferences and the provincial conference when the rest of the country will have theirs after the national congress. The pressure and haste has, in turn, alienated the majority of COPE membership and has sown a seed of enmity and mistrust among members. Sedibeng is a case in point.

Vote 9: Environmental Affairs & Development

A.J. Van Zyl

As we entered the building here (WCPP) this morning we were greeted by banners from the Environmental Affairs department. They showed different parts of our province with a message of creating a sustainable life. Looking closer at the pictures I was irritated to discover one of the pictures was of a golf course. A golf course? Does this department think we can create a sustainable life by building more golf courses?

As a progressive party of the future, COPE strongly believes that this country has not made optimum use of opportunities that are created by the emergence of the new green economy. If the government creates the right framework, making our economy more environmentally friendly will not only increase Gross Domestic product (GDP) but create new green and sustainable jobs while reducing poverty.

Unfortunately so far all we have are promises and more promise but nothing really happening, which is why most companies who were interested in investing in green energy in this country slowly disinvesting.

The right framework that should have been taken long ago consists in investing in the necessary infrastructure, high adoption rates of renewable energy sources (wind, solar, wave and biomass), enforcing energy efficiency, implementing the right policies and putting in place the right incentives for investment and economic growth.

Both the national and provincial governments have failed us in this area.

South Africa has ample natural resources, including wind, wave and sun, which will help in the successful exploitation, production and development of wind and solar power. South Africans also have the technical expertise in developmental agriculture to distribute and develop sustainable agricultural technologies, especially in other African countries.

COPE believes our public and private sector have identified, and are ready to exploit the opportunities where greening the environment and the sustainable management of biodiversity can help create jobs, growth and reduce unemployment inequality. Legislation is the only thing still lacking behind.

Our government talk about but does not encourage technology transfers through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other international climate change funds as described in the Kyoto protocol and the Conference of Parties 15 (COP 15).

Worldwide the green economy has created jobs in the Small and Medium Enterprises sector, reducing inequality and poverty. It is time South Africa joins the progressive countries in the world and cashed in on the benefits that can be generated in this sphere.

Environmental Affairs has now become an economic matter, and our country and province have fallen behind in keeping up with this development.

At COPE we believe the department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning should be seen as a critical driver of economic development and thus elevated to the Economic Cluster. We think it deserves better slice than is allocated in the current budget.

And that the departments of Economic Affairs and the Department of Trade And Industry (the dti) should be at the fore front of green policy formation and make sure that this becomes in the forefront of economic policy.

This province and our country in Africa has opportunity to play a leading role in sustainable development. There are many opportunities for South African companies to bring sustainable development and lower carbon emission technologies to the rest of Africa. It simply baffles us why these opportunities are not taken or delayed by unclear legislation by our government.

There are considerable risks that will impact the economy dramatically if we do not take economic degradation and climate change seriously. A small change in temperature could have dramatic effects on agriculture.

Being one of the most important sectors in our province this will have an enormous impact on our economic development, as well as rural development and employment.

Poor people are disproportionally impacted by climate change as the rural poor rely on agriculture for their existence. Agricultural industry creates job for the vulnerable unskilled segment of the labour force.

In urban and semi urban areas the poor tend to live on dried river banks and vlei’s which will experience increased flooding due to climate change. An increase in runaway fires exacerbated by climate change poses a serious threat to those living on the edges of towns and villages.

Hence at COPE we believe climate change is a poverty issue.

We believe our government’s response to the new risk of climate change has not been separated into mitigation and adaption strategies.

There are also not clear inter-governmental mechanisms to achieve alignment with provincial government and local authority strategies.

Thank You!

***********

Vote 13: Cultural Affairs & Sport

T. Bevu

The province depends on the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, to promote social and racial cohesion, especially in the Western Cape where it is becoming clear that our people are becoming polarised again.

It is encouraging to hear the department undertaking to start projects like that of an oral history project, to record the memories of people and their unique life experiences.

We feel our history should not be confined to only the museums across the province, but must be made visible and living. A people who know there are better equipped to handle their future.

We need to redress imbalances in collections and exhibitions and public and educational programmes. Too many of our museums still have shortcomings in their exhibitions, which reflect the history of only one section of the community.

Thus we encouraged to hear most museums in our country are starting to research on the communities of their areas. We would like to know the progress of the programme called ‘Scrapbook’, that is meant to encourage people to record their histories.

Most of our black communities the only history they have is oral, passed from one generation to the next through learning and storytelling. Scrapbook would help making sure such valuable history is not lost.

The promotion of our indigenous languages also is imperatives. We wait to hear more about your Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), and also think it now time to asses the impact of implementing the Cultural Forum Strategy.

I highlight these things to point to the importance of funding these projects properly through the budget. As it is now the funding still leaves much to be desired.

Where there are still serious shortcomings is in the field of art. Many of our artists, especially from the disadvantaged areas complain of lack of support and guardians from the government.

Many of the art centres that were built to produce artworks and crafts under one roofs are now white elephants. The major error seem to have been the employment of teachers instead of artists in these centres. Art, Mr. Speaker, is not woodwork. It needs to be taught by someone who themselves are artists.

We see in programme allocations that you’ve increased the amount, which is well and good. But what measures have you in place to follow that different municipalities use these funds for the allocated project.

I ask this because I know for a fact that most municipalities have this erroneous notion that to fund art projects is throwing money down the drain. They think it is not important or urgent enough. Hence they end up misappropriating these funds for their ulterior purpose, like paying themselves bonuses with it at the end of the year.

I’m sure you don’t need us to tell you that many things in the fraternity of arts and culture still remain segregated and fragmented. If there’s an area of serious failure within your department it is here. Of course the onus rests in the denizens of our province to achieve social and racial harmony, but your department need to provide us with clear and effective platforms to do this.

Hence you find that our sport and recreational activities are still defined by things like race, culture, and ethnicity. The only culture this province should be driven by is that of humanity. Working towards that goal should be the foundation of all we do.

At COPE we feel this provincial government does not take seriously the importance the mandate of the department of Cultural Affairs and Sport as can be seen in budget allocation, which in the current has hardly increased significantly.

Thank You!

****************

Vote 10: Transport & Public Works

T. Bevu, MPL

Giving his budget speech mid last year, the MEC Carlisle said, and I quote: “I was shocked to see the department squandering its budget on questionable projects, usually led by very expensive consultants, whilst service delivery took a backseat. More than R1.5 billion has been spent on consultants in the past three years. There have been other bizarre and sometimes corrupt actions.”

I think the proper way to start this debate on Transport and Public Works would be to asks the MEC to give us a brief outline of the progress regarding his endeavours to stamp out corruption. How far are the forensic investigations in his department? Has excessive spending on consultants been curbed? Has SCOPA recommendations been implemented yet?

Also if he could explain to us how the moving of the Human Resources, Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management to the Premier’s office would affect this process? Does he think it is a correct move?

The provincial government allocated R3.5 billion to transport and public works in 2009/10, which represents just more than 12% of the provincial budget. A sum of about R1.67-billion will be spent on roads, completing several projects in fulfilment of 2010 Fifa World Cup soccer tournament requirements without building anymore roads as the Premier indicated in her state of the province speech.

Speaker, we are pleased that the department is undertaking to promote SMME’s and BEE through its roads capital expenditure.

We’ll urge it to make it broadband rather the limited kind that has only produced elites groups without impacting on our economic development. We’ll certainly be interested to follow its progress in terms of real implementation.

We regret that we’ve not seen similar tangible plans to transform property ownership in the Western Cape. Property ownership in this province is still racially profiled.

The property below R6 million especially is crucial since it is a main driver of transformation and will put paid to intentions of Broad Black Economic Empowerment.

What we don’t understand is the fact that the department was told by the auditor general last year that its property management is poor, and yet it maintains slashing the budget for property management.

We welcome also that the budget for infrastructure sector has been expanded. Public and Freight Transport, Traffic Management programmes will all be under tremendous pressure in the coming few months due to the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

We regret also to inform the MEC that we see nothing integrated about the Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system. In fact we now believe the system will leave the township on the fringe of the city even more disintegrated from the city centre and its suburbs.

Also, were I a taxi owner who had recently bought a new taxi through the government’s recapitalisation programme I would feel aggrieved by the current manner the Bust Rapid Transport is being implemented. We can only hope the department’s consultation with the taxi associations is genuine designed to find lasting solutions.

Lastly, the MEC said when he took over: “There will be no slash and burn offensive on the department … What I am advocating is a re-shaping of the department, using existing skills, so as to make this Department an instrument of delivery.” Does he still maintain that there has not been a ‘burn offensive’ in his department.

COPE warned South Africa about the appointment of Menzi Simelane as the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), but we didn’t think that his interference in the judicial system would be this crass.

Andre Lambrecht, a chief State prosecutor, was relieved of his duties after allegedly refusing “orders” from both Menzi Simelane and Julius Malema that the state should not oppose bail for “Jub Jub”. While the matter is sub-judice, the fact that an illegal drag race that the musician was allegedly involved in resulted in the death of four school children is surely a serious enough case to warrant the contestation of bail by the state.

The NPA has since said that the demotion has nothing to do with the Jub Jub case, but if this is the truth, then the NPA must furnish specific reasons for what appears to be a punitive demotion.

Menzi Simelane must be made to realize that the Judicial system cannot be run like a personal fiefdom. At all times his decisions must be even handed and transparent.

It comes as no surprise that Julius Malema is also allegedly involved in this episode. It is disturbing that a man who appears to be so duplicitous, populist and morally bankrupt is under the impression that he holds sway over our judicial system. We can only hope that this is just another one of his delusions of grandeur, and not the reality.

COPE calls for the immediate reinstatement of Andre Lambrecht to his position, failing which, reasons for his demotion must be made public in the interests of transparency. Furthermore, we call for Menzi Simelane’s immediate suspension pending an investigation into this matter.

For more information contact Phillip Dexter on 082 453 4088

The Congress of the People salutes its MPs in the National Assembly who today tabled a motion of no confidence in the President of the Republic, Mr. Jacob Zuma. In his speech to the House, COPE’s Parliamentary Leader, Dr. Mvume Dandala, outlined the reasons as follows:

“It is common knowledge how the President has failed this nation by his repeatedly risky sexual behaviour, thus weakening the crucial fight against HIV and Aids by setting a poor example. He has failed to exercise any leadership over his cabinet and political colleagues, some of whom continue to send conflicting messages on what is acceptable behaviour. He has failed to act against the 2000 civil servants who stole more than R650 Million from the public purse. Despite having the Ginwala Commission’s report available to him, he has failed to exercise good judgement by appointing a man of dubious record as the National Director of Public Prosecution. He has failed to lead on the issues of accountability to this Parliament by not declaring his assets and liabilities on time and only doing so eight months late and under public pressure.”

COPE takes no pleasure in the fact that what the party has been saying since it was formed a little over a year ago, has come to pass. While the President merrily continues in his brazen way to flout the constitution and the laws of the Republic, there is a creeping militarisation of our society taking place. The police are to be given military ranks, despite the fact that one of the legacies of the Mandela era was precisely to make the police a civilian force. The role of the intelligence services in politics continues to be of concern. VIP thugs, including the President’s bodyguards, harass citizens regularly. As citizens become more disgruntled and protest poor service delivery, the ruling party resorts to conspiracy theories to try to cover up for its failures.

COPE knows that the majority of South Africans have had enough of the corruption, the wastage, the lies and the failed promises of the ruling party. Its leader must take responsibility. After less that one year in office, it is clear, the President is not fit to govern.

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

The Congress of the People in the Metro Region has been put under a barrage of negative media coverage in recent months from various opinion makers and within its own ranks. The Regional Interim Leadership Group (RILG) decided not to engage in mudslinging and cheap point scoring but chose instead to remain loyal to the clarion call made by South Africans in the People’s Convention in Sandton and the Inaugural Conference at Bloemfontein respectively. The mandate of the RILG was to take the organization to its elective Congresses within two years before the end of 2010.

The Metro Region of COPE in Cape Town is now announcing readiness to hold its first Congress on the 10th day of April 2010 at the Bellville Civic Centre. To date the region has 3800 members, and seventy six (76) properly launched VD based branches with thirteen (13) ready to launch at the coming weekend. The Regional Congress (RC) will be a summit of at least one hundred VD based branches representing five thousand members.

The deadline for all the VD branches wishing to participate in the Regional Congress will be by the end of business of the 22nd day of March 2010. The membership application forms and branch print outs would then be subjected to a rigorous audit process by the Congress National Committee.

The RILG has noted concerns within our ranks about the processes leading to and completion of the conferences and has thus duly undertaken to facilitate a process that will allow all branches to lodge complaints, objections and submissions to the audit committee (appointed by the CNC) on any matter that would be seen as compromising the credibility of the processes.

There have been sad occasions where the chairperson of the Provincial Interim Leadership Group and the national deputy president of COPE have been verbally abused by self-appointed spokespersons who claimed to speak on behalf of COPE followers in the Western Cape. The RILG would like to take this opportunity to condemn and distance itself from all these derogatory, mischief peddling and misinforming statements.

The Metro region of the Western Cape remains loyal to the founding principles of COPE and its aspirations, particularly that of being a modern social democratic political party. We encourage all COPE branches to campaigning and vote for any credible leader they feel is best suited to take the organization forward. We invite South Africans to join the Congress of the People in a disciplined movement towards defending the rule of law, protecting our constitution, consolidating our democracy, maturing our politics towards a public centered government.

Contact Ndithini L.Tyhido 076 2732 774

Media Statement (08 March 2010)

The Women’s Movement of the Congress of the People on this, the International Day of Women, joins all the women of the world in paying tribute, saluting and acknowledging themselves as special people with a special purpose in life.

While acknowledging all the efforts and strides taken in ensuring that there are equal opportunities for all, it would be dangerous to adopt a “one size fits all” approach in appraising women’s conditions. Our backgrounds are not the same, and the society we live in is not open equal, so much about it still leaves much to be desired.

It is important to emphasize that while women’s rights are human rights, there are rights of women that are specific, relevant and necessary to highlight. The inequality of women’s rights start with the attitudes, behavior and stereotypes around perceived roles and responsibilities of women. Such perceptions lead to the exclusion of women from meaningful participation in the economy, in deciding about their own health, in deciding about their own futures and in being decision makers in matters that affect their lives.

South Africa has done well so far in ensuring that the glass ceiling against women is being shattered. We are proudly one of the only nations who commemorate the struggle for the rights of women with a national public holiday. The representation of our women at all levels of Government is among the highest in the world.

However there is still plenty to be done in terms of creating a society where all women, especially in our rural areas and townships are not treated as second class citizens. The guiding document is our Constitution, which guarantees freedom from discrimination based on gender.

It becomes a very sad point when we see organized women renegade their responsibility of championing issues pertaining to the liberation of women for factional politics. COPE Women’s Movement makes this promise that it’ll never sell women’s cause for a pot of soup, and will continue to engage with women from all walks of life to further a New Agenda for Change and Hope for all women, and for all South Africans.

Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo!

LAUNCHES TWO BRANCHES IN CLERMONT, DURBAN

After an attempted launch of a COPE branch was stalled last week (February 28th) due to threats of violence from the ANC, the Congress of the People rescheduled the launch of two branches this Sunday (March 7). The venue was changed to the Ashley Sports Field, near Pinetown in Durban.

This is something of a home ground for COPE President Mosiuoa Lekota, as he played for a soccer team called Clermont Home Defenders, and his daughter is buried in the Ashley cemetery.

“I was told that this launch was scheduled for last week,” said Lekota in a speech to a packed sports hall, ‘but it was delayed because of intimidation. That tells me that freedom is not there.”

“When Mandela spoke in Durban after 1994, he told the people of KwaZulu-Natal that the war was over, and that everyone must take their weapons and throw them into the sea. People must enjoy their freedom.”

“But now we see that this is no longer the case. This means, therefore, that COPE must fight once again for this freedom – the freedom of association.”

Lekota went on to criticise the lawlessness of members of the ruling party, who used state resources to enrich themselves instead of serving the people. This was why, he said, COPE was keen to introduce a new electoral system.

“It will be easy,” he said. “We will divide the country up into 400 constituencies, and each of these constituencies will vote directly for their member of Parliament. If their MP does not represent their interests, they will be able to vote him or her out. At the moment, the towns have no clean water, no toilets. And there is no-one to go to about this. The councils are full of brothers and sisters and friends and relatives, not qualified people. And once every five years, these people buy votes with food parcels.”

“When COPE gets to government, there will be no party deployment. People will do the job who are qualified to do the job. Now, we must set up strong structures, we must be open and transparent. Let’s work together, openly and honestly, to build our party.”

Before the launch, Lekota attended a service at the United Congregational Church, where he was warmly welcomed by congregants and pastors alike.

The branches launched in Clermont are in Ward 19 and 22.
For further information, please contact Niki Moore on 083 758 4483

The Congress of the People KZN has announced that it will continue to establish branches in Kwa Zulu-Natal, despite a great deal of intimidation from ANC structures.

This follows an incident in Ward 22 in Clermont last Sunday, (February 22nd), when an attempt by COPE to launch a branch in the township, which is dominated by in informal settlement, had to be abandoned after a group of armed men, numbering about 500 and led by the self-proclaimed leader of the ANC in that region, attacked the venue. COPE organizers who arrived to set up the venue were told by the man, who gave his name only as Mshakashaka, that he was the ANC chairman of that area and there was a law against COPE branches in ANC wards.

He then called for reinforcements via cell-phone. When the mob of approximately 500 men armed with guns, knives and shamboks arrived and threatened the COPE team, the policemen who were escorting the COPE organizers recommended that the meeting be abandoned in order to avoid potential bloodshed. Videos and tape-recordings were taken of the proceedings, and charges were laid.

However, COPE declares that it will not allow democracy to be halted by a few power-hungry individuals, and it will proceed with launching its branch in Clermont on Sunday 7th March. It appeals to the ruling party to respect the right of individuals to exercise free choice of association, as laid down in the Constitution.

The launch of the Clermont branch will be at the Shembe ground in Clermont at 1pm on Sunday 7th March. The guest speaker will be COPE president Terror Lekota.

For further comment or information please contact Hlengiwe Hlope, Deputy Regional Secretary COPE KZN at 078 – 470-0694.

The CWC of COPE met on 22 February 2010 in Cape Town. Aside from the standing issues on the agenda, the CWC discussed the current squabbles in the ruling party, where various figures are leaking information about each others personal financial interests to the media. While the issue of financial transparency of leaders is a matter of public interest, the CWC noted the fact that the ruling party is not dealing with this issue transparently or in a principled manner. Half of its current NEC have business interests and in particular do business with the government, yet none of these are being disclosed and dealt with. It is high time all these interests were disclosed to the public, including the interests of the ruling party’s own business relationships, such as those with Hitachi. The issue is not only whether individuals are MPs or Ministers. it is about public representatives especially those from the ruling party doing business with government. These revelations show the extent to which the ruling party is being used to peddle influence and to facilitate corrupt accumulation of wealth for individuals. The rot that now pervades the ruling party, the government and its allies is plain for all to see.

The CWC also noted the attacks by COSATU on the countries public servants, in particular those who work in the National Treasury. This blatantly insulting behaviour aimed at professionals who serve this country with impartiality and diligence is unwarranted. Such behaviour is reckless and populist. The CWC resolved that COPE will do all in its power to defend pubic servants who do their jobs well. We call on South Africans to join hands with us as we endeavour to ensure professionalisation and depolitisazation of the public sector.

The CWC discussed the issue of international and national days that have been hijacked by the ruling party for its narrow interests. COPE calls on the people of South Africa to make suggestions on how we can celebrate these days in a manner that unifies our people and does not promote the partisan interests of the ruling party and its allies. International Women’s Day is nearly upon us and this should be recognized and celebrated by all South Africans.

The recent events surrounding the President of the ANC confirm that the COPE vision articulated during the national elections, of separating issues of party and state and the issue of electoral reform, especially the direct election of the President of the Republic by the people, are even more relevant now than before.

Preparations for the 2nd National Congress of the party continue to gather steam, with the continued establishment of branches and policy discussions in provinces. Following the decision of the extended Congress National Committee to hold the congress by no later than the end of May, the CWC has set the date of the Congress from 27th to 30th May 2010. The preparations for the Policy Indaba were also noted. The CWC also noted the final program of action as adopted by the CNC that is to guide the party for 2010.

The CWC received a report on the behaviour of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the Honourable Nomaindia Mfeketo M.P. over the last week. Not only has she abused her powers by flagrantly disregarding the rights of MPs in silencing the Honourable Mluleki George M.P., leading to a walk out by the opposition parties, but it appears that she also misled parliament about the vote on the Inspector General of Intelligence. In this regard, while presiding, the Deputy Speaker ruled that the vote had been carried by the required two thirds majority. It then turned out that this was not the case as members of the ruling party had voted twice to inflate the numbers, something discovered by the parliamentary staff. Fancy footwork to cover this up followed, but it was clear that the issue had been incorrectly reported as carried on the day before. The CWC has instructed COPE’s M.P.’s to take this issue up especially on what action to take against these members who tried to cheat by voting more than once. If the ruling party can cheat in Parliament then how much more so will it be prepared to do so in the coming local government elections?

The CWC expressed its support for the proposed vote of no confidence in the President of the Republic as it is clear that neither he nor his fellow party leaders takes his office or responsibility seriously. The continued abuse of power such as has been witnessed in Parliament is exactly what COPE has been warning the electorate about. The people of South Africa and the members of Parliament in particular need to rise up and demand more from their leaders. Good governance is not just about financial administration, something this government is not good at either, but it is about leadership and setting a higher standard. The country faces a choice between its reputation and scandalous behaviour as general conduct. The reason for COPE raising this issue and the vote of no confidence in particular is to protect the office of the President and through this the Constitution. The CWC agrees with the sentiments contained in the statements of Archbishop Napier of the Roman Catholic Church as well as Archbishop Makgoba of the Anglican Church on behalf of their conferences and congregations. We call on other formations as well as civil society to follow suit.

The meeting also received reports from the departments of the party, from the Women’s Movement in relation to activities planned for 8 March, International Women’s Day and from the Youth Movement on the launch of the Thumamina Campaign due to take place on 27 February in Limpopo. Details of these will be provided to the media in due course.

For more information contact Phillip Dexter on 082 453 4088

19 February 2010

The premier keep promising the people of the Western Cape job creation, service delivery, more houses, clear open Government etc. 8 months have passed now with DA in government what have we to show for it? Nothing much! Are we getting what she promised? No!

Instead we are getting more promises and same excuses and no implementation progress of last promises. No housing delivery because national is not providing funds and there’s no appropriate land? Same old excuse that smacks of lack of will to really find the solution. When canvassing the DA rode on the ticket that it’ll solve these things. Where are the solutions?

The DA came with a vroom of Hercules cleaning the stables of corruption. Eight months down the line we still have not heard of any real uncovered corruption and heads rolling. It gives us no option but to conclude that the fanfare was raised only to discredit the previous administration.

The constant, persistent, complaint by the Premier about too many people moving to the WC is a condescending to say the least, and smells of prejudicial provincialism. The Premier, and the DA at large, needs to understand that this is a free country where people have freedom to go where and when they wish?

It is becoming clear that the main economy of this province under the DA governance has no intentions of taking serious the economic development of the poor. All we get are promises for a conducive atmosphere for doing business. This is not a bad thing on its own, but we’ve been hearing this for quite sometime now. And for those who see the DA as the front of white business the tone is worrying when there’s nothing said about proper township and rural development. And, while on the subject, why was there no mention of Black Economic Empowerment in the Premier’s address; or need we ask?

It was not surprising to hear the Premier talk about commercial farming, which for now is still predominately another form of white business. The fact that she could mention these without any mention of proper rural and township programmes of development give colour to the accusation that her party is little more than a vanguard for white (business) interests.

COPE needs to know when is the province planning to fully integrate into the main stream provincial economy rural and informal development? The question of rural infrastructure is more pressing and has never been adequately addressed anywhere in this province.

There was hardly any mention of health plan by the Premier, except welcomed plans to increase ARV rollouts. But our public health system, which is still in total disarray particularly in the rural areas, needs more than that. Many rural and township clinics are still without medicines, properly trained health-professionals and care givers. Our public health system needs to be radically overhauled on the excellent level the Premier is planning with education.

We would have liked to know where does the provincial government stand on the National Health Insurance Scheme? Is the DA government hoping or working for its collapse, or does it support it? Health is the major problematic areas in this province. Building two hospitals, planned by the previous administration, and approved by the current one, will hardly solve the problems of our health system.

The Premier has been talking about green energy for a while now, but the truth of the matter is that companies who were looking to invest on this, both nationally and provincially, are going away because of lack of direction from the government. This is also an indictment to the government of the WC.

Simple said, for an average person in the Western Cape Province streets, is that it is all going nowhere. The big DA promise to the people of the Western Cape is becoming a dud. The Western Cape people gambled hopes on the DA just to end up with something very similar to the ANC, albeit on the other extreme pole.

It is a wonder to a person in Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha when the Premier listens to far removed commentators (Peter Bruce of Business Day) about DA ran cities prospering and improving in service delivery. There’s evidence of that in the black townships where people still live in filth. For them it is all going anywhere. The only thing they see is the consolidation of white business and the keep of the status quo where racial inequalities are announced in economic terms.

The open society, by the Premier’s own admission, does not work for those who’ve no resource to participate on the free market. It is then strange that the Western Cape Provincial government hardly does anything to assist them.

The transparency of the open system is not visible to us we look at what is happening in the city of Cape Town, for instance, where the procurement processes of contracts worth million have been found to not have followed proper procedure, and yet the DA government seem to be sweeping that under carpet instead of demanding accountability?

What then are the efficiency savings the Premier is talking about? She talks about auditing the NPOs (Non Profit Organisation) with the view of reducing their number. Yet the complaint you get from the NPOs is lack of capacity and very little government support. You don’t establish efficiency in government by being stingy but by being thrifty. And why is business outsourcing tantamount to efficiency when the opposite has been proven time and again? Corruption is corruption, whether in a public or a business person.

The truth of the matter is that both the liberal and nationalist approach have ran out of ideas, hence are impotent against our challenges.

Meanwhile the pot is boiling, especially in the black townships. People are angry. Angry for unfulfilled promises and the anguish is caused by the gap between our potential and reality. Talk about a dream deferred!

There were positive things in the Premier’s address:

• The province seem to have a convincing plan on the war against substance abuse
• It’s education plan is plausible
• The prohibition of much abused and maligned blue lights by politicians except in real emergency (though it is going to be tough to identify what’s the real emergency)
• The prohibition of government employees from doing business with the government
• Better legislation to monitor and support local government
• Draft bill to give the province to conduct real school inspection; actually the DA’s education plan is plausible
• Checking power abuse, though hardly any plans were mentioned, is good too
We don’t know what is entailed on the planned changes on the Land Use Planning Ordinance, so it is difficult to pronounce on that. But the provincial spatial planning laws definitely need some revamping.

COPE reiterates its commitment to work with all provincial governments, including the DA and all other parties to improve the lives of our people in the Western Cape. We undertake to go even deeper in charting more ways of realigning the politics of this country.

Issued by COPE Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Contact Mphuthumi Ntabeni 021 487 1834 or 073 900 6396

The Congress of the People today walked out in solidarity with one of its members, Honourable Mluleki George, after he was unfairly told to leave the House.

This after Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo interpreted the rules of Parliament for the narrow interests of the ruling party.

The rule under assault by the ruling party is the following: Section 58 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa clearly states:”Cabinet members, Deputy Ministers and members of the National Assembly -
have freedom of speech in the Assembly and in its committees, subject to its rules and orders; and are not liable to civil or criminal proceedings, arrest, imprisonment or damages for (i) anything that they have said in, produced before or submitted to the Assembly or any of its committees; or (ii) anything revealed as a result of anything that they have said in, produced before or submitted to the Assembly or any of its committees.”

The Deputy Speaker of the house ejected Hon George for offensive or unbecoming language citing rule 66 of the National Assembly.

After opposition parties sought clarity on this questionable ruling, the Deputy Speaker did not allow any point of order by any member of the opposition for further clarity. this is in clear ignorance, or defiance of Rule 72 (b) of the National Assembly. In response to her intransigence on the issue COPE decided to walk out, followed by the Democratic Alliance.
COPE stands by the statement made by Hon. George. For the record, the passage of his speech that was deemed to be “offensive” follows: “It appears the Nation is deliberately being led to lawlessness with absolutely no morals and respect for its people. The first nine months of the current government has been characterized by despondence, infighting in government and the poor becoming poorer”

That the Deputy Speaker has since gone on record in the media in admitting that her interpretation of the rules she applied to boot Hon George out of the house is “problematic” shows that she knows that her actions may have compromised the integrity of the role of Speaker of the House.
At best her actions betray her ignorance of the processes and procedures of the house, at worst it is a flagrant abuse of power.

COPE acknowledges and welcomes the decision by the Democratic Alliance to walk out along with us to express their similar objection to the Constitution being attacked.
If freedom of speech for Members of Parliament can be infringed upon at a whim, what chance then do ordinary South Africans have in expressing their dissatisfaction with a ruling party who draw ever further from their plight with each passing day?

Perhaps the Deputy Speaker should take more sound legal advice before indulging in another damaging knee jerk reaction.
ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga’s assertion that COPE are “trying to make Parliament unworkable” is a pretty rich accusation. Parliament can only be workable when the rules are applied fairly and consistently to all members, regardless of which side of the aisle they may be seated.

COPE looks forward to the outcome of the deliberations of the Rules Committee of Parliament. We call for the Deputy Speaker to withdraw her ruling in the interests of modern Constitutional Democracy.

For more information Please contact Phillip Dexter 082 824 7459

COPE Student Movement (COPESM) at Wits University is deeply concerned at the actions of certain individuals who are tearing down our posters. This not only poses a threat to the fundamental principles of the university and its constitution, but also to our nation and the democracy which we have fought so hard to achieve. As executive members of the team we are aware of the disappearance firstly of our orientation week posters at the university’s east campus before orientation week even ended, secondly our latest posters with regards to the support we have pledged to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa have also been removed.

It is most unfortunate as these posters were so much more than furthering a political agenda. This initiative was aimed at raising student awareness of cardiovascular diseases being one of the leading causes of death in South Africa. By purchasing stickers to the value of R5 students would be contributing to a fund that educates children throughout South Africa about the dangers of cardiovascular diseases and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This was an initiative that attracted students as the campaign was linked to the upcoming Valentines Day. We had fostered a long term partnership with a prominent NGO to raise awareness of vital health issues in order to play our part towards both a healthy population. This would have long term benefits to the ailing health care system in South Africa.

It is with deep regret that our posters have been removed. What is unsettling is that by simply tearing down these posters, we are reaching fewer individuals and thus in the long term, this will be detrimental not just to COPESM but also to ordinary citizens and especially those disadvantaged children who require this information. This is of grave concern. If intellectuals who are tomorrows leaders behave in this way, what is the future of our multi-party democracy?

This is not an isolated incident as it happens at campuses all around the country. COPE Student Movement have lodged an official complaint with the Student Representative Council (SRC) as well as the university’s management, and we await their response. We also believe it is time for individuals who do not value the nature of democracy, or who do not understand the essence of our Constitution be dealt with to ensure so that we as COPESM may effectively implement all our ideas and achieve our vision on a level playing field for the remainder of the academic year.

As the Congress of the People’s Student Movement (COPESM) at the university of Witwatersrand we have encountered many obstacles in trying to establish ourselves at the university. We have persevered and have come a long way. That this attack on COPESM’s campaign has happened is symptomatic of the fact that we are now a force to be reckoned with at the university.

Shakira Choonara
COPESM CHAIRPERSON WITS UNIVERSITY

For more information contact Phillip Dexter on 082 453 4088

The Congress National Committee of the Congress of the People met in a special session yesterday. The meeting received a report from the Congress Working Committee on the state of the organization, preparations for the strategic planning session currently in place, preparation for the National Policy Conference and the National Congress.

National Congress and National Policy Indaba

The CNC had extensive discussion on the state of the organization, current processes to establish branches, enhance policy positions of COPE, preparations for policy discussions at all levels and preparations for National Congress.
The CNC is of a view that the National Congress is a summit of COPE branches and is mainly dependent on COPE’s ability to launch branches in different provinces. In addition to the dictates of the Constitution as adopted by the Bloemfontein Inaugural Congress, the National Congress shall:

· Evaluate & assess the political work of the Organization, as shall be presented by the President in his political report to the Congress. This work will cover our ideological orientation, our character, our policies, as well as the work that is carried out by our Public Representatives.

· Evaluate & assess our Organizational Work, as shall be presented to the Congress by the General Secretary, through her Organizational report. This work includes quantitative growth and qualitative development of the organization, as well as the establishment of the administrative support to the political arm of the organization. The organizational report will focus on the state of organization since the Inaugural Congress.

· Evaluate & assess our state of finances & resource mobilization, as shall be presented to the Congress by the National Treasurer. This work covers our capacity, not only to manage and control the existing resources, but also unveil our fund raising & resource mobilization strategy that helps in furthering our agenda for change and hope as a post-apartheid Modern Political Party.

· Adopt the Constitution as the guiding document of the Congress of the People

· Adopt POLICIES that will clearly define the vision, mission and goals of COPE. In the same breath adopt policy positions that will guide the work of COPE in various sectors relevant to meeting basic needs of our people; the improvement of the quality of life of our people; fighting poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment; and providing hope for a better tomorrow.

· Develop a Clear Programme of Action with measurable targets that will make the organization to realize its agenda of bringing Change and Hope to all South Africans in its primary task of defending our Constitution and Democracy.

· Elect a leadership team that will take overall responsibility for the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted by Congress. This leadership team, the Congress National Committee shall lead our organization and guide its membership until the next National Congress.
These tasks are all of equal importance to the Congress of the People. We will resist at all costs, the pressure exerted upon us by our adversaries that the election of the Congress National Committee is the most important of all the above tasks.

We are at one that the National Congress is an important part of the process of organizational renewal and internal democracy both in terms of the policy direction the organization may want to take and election of a leadership collective that shall take overall responsibility for the implementation of such policies.

The Inaugural Congress of COPE held in Bloemfontein mandated the CNC to convene a National Congress in Eighteen to Twenty-Four months from the date of the Inaugural conference. The Eighteen months will lapse in mid-June 2010 and the outer limit or the Twenty-Four months lapses in mid-December 2010. In processing this issue the CNC has noted that the official kick-off for the FIFA World Cup is on the 11th of June 2010 and the closing ceremony will be on the 11th of July 2010. This in essence means that the inner limit viz. mid-June will not be a desirable time to hold an event of this historic magnitude. Therefore as a result Mid-June 2010 falls off.

The CNC has decided that the National Congress will be held by no later than the end of May 2010.

The process leading to the National Congress will be preceded by a COPE policy Indaba to focus on formulating the draft policies that shall be adopted at the National Congress. The indaba will include delegates from COPE structures and experts in various fields or sectors of society to advise COPE on various policy options. The workshop will be preceded by Provincial General Councils where proposed policies will be tabled and provincial mandates formulated. An Extended Special Congress National Committee meeting will be held in the month of April to finalise the preparations for the National Congress.

Strategic Planning Session of the CNC

The CNC meeting held on the 27th – 28th November 2010 mandated the CWC to convene a CNC Strategic Planning Session. In line with this decision, the CWC has convened a Strategic Planning Session, which is currently underway. The objectives of the Session are as follows:

· Develop a comprehensive 2010 COPE Programme of Action;
· Build and strengthen the capacity of COPE to defend our constitution and democracy;
· Deepen the new agenda for change and hope for all;
· Reposition COPE in Parliament, Provincial Legislatures and Municipalities as an alternative to the ruling party by occupying a center stage in issues affecting our people;
· Prepare for the National Policy Conference
· Prepare for the National Congress

Themes are:

· Building COPE
· Ideological and Political Work
· Communications
· International Relations
· Governance
· Elections
· Finances and Resource mobilization

We will later in the week indicate the outcome of the strategy session including our programme of action for 2010.
The CNC also considered the period towards the outer limit and the outer limit itself and felt that with the up-coming 2011 local government elections. This will enable COPE to stabilize beyond Congress and have enough time to prepare for the 2011 Local Government Elections. In this instance, the period of the FIFA World Cup should be utilized to finalize the 2011

Local Government Election Manifesto

There is no doubt that 2010 is a critical year for the Congress of the People because our country will host the 2010 FIFA World Cup above all it is the year within which COPE shall adopt policies that will redefine its mission and vision. During this year COPE will emerge from its National Congress more united than before and more resolved to defend our country’s Constitution and Democracy.

As we undertake the above responsibilities we must be mindful of the fact that the Congress of the People remains the only feasible alternative to the ruling party and the only HOPE of our people, we dare not fail.

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

It is sad day when political vulgarism spills over to public schools as it has been happening recently with Ludwe Ngamlana Primary school in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. I had with a sinking heart it being reported on the news that a group of concerned parents were responsible for closing school gates for three days. In actual fact the people who locked with chains and barricaded the gates of that school were not parents, neither did they stay in the area, or had children in the school. This was a group vulgar minded and power hungry people who when they could not convince parents hired a minuscule crowd to be their devil’s advocate.

The issue behind their illegal closure of the school was because of the fact that the acting principal is not a member of SADTU, a COSATU affiliate but that of NAPTOSA. So they organised like minded members of the Tripartite Alliance (TA), to accompany them to go up in arms, trying to get rid of the acting principal for one of their own.

They first tried their dirty tricks by trying to disband the School Governing Body. The Congress of the People in the Western Cape got wind of this, sought and received speedy intervention from the Education Department towards the end of last year. In my capacity as a member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, and a resident of the area, I had contacted the MEC for Education, Donald Grant, who was very helpful in speedy resolving the issues.

The conspirators then vowed to make schooling impossible when the pupils reopened, which led to their locking of the school gates this week. Upon hearing that they had locked the school gates I notified the MEC. The MEC eventually had to apply for a court interdict against the perpetrators.

The profile of these intimidating bullies is interesting. Kuthula Mamba known as Sondela, acts as their spoke person but does not even stay in the area. The same is true with others, like Vuyani Maphuma, with the exception of Tshabalala. Yet they saw fit to interrupt classes in the school for three days. The intention behind this thuggery is to intimidate the acting principal and the school governing body to cave in to their demands. The sad thing is that this is not an isolated case, it happens all the time in township areas. As the results fear amongst the people is rife, because what they usually do is to organise thugs of similar mind to toyi-toyi in front of the targeted official place. And most the time they get away with it.

Luckily the parents and the School Governing Body of Ludwe refused to cave in, at great risk to their lives. After being privy to these dirty tricks they stuck to their guns, staying behind the current acting principal.

Sadder still is the conduct of the police in that community who when asked to enforce the law by opening the gate locks chose to side with the thugs by refusing. Their flimsy reasoning was that as members of that community they did feel comfortable acting against their own which might make them targets of scorn. According to MEC Grant, the police commissioner, Mzwandile Petros, was himself uncooperative which is what compelled the MEC to open a court interdict.

From this incident it is obvious that our police still do not understand what it means to be a civil servant, and to serve the public without bias of political agendas. This is why as the Congress of the People we’re resolving on taking the issue further by laying charges of neglect against the police who were on duty that day. If need be we’ll extend the charges to the police commissioner. We’ll also be advising the parents of Ludwe Primary to open a case against those who violated their children’s constitutional right to education.

The practise of politicising civil institutions is one of the things that are fundamentally wrong with our country. We’ve these so called leaders who do not seem to understand the value of schooling, who think civil service is just another weapon for power mongering and hegemony. Education is very crucial for survival and self-sufficiency of any community. It is a process by which the values and intellectual legacy of society are transmitted to its young. You teach children that it permissible to disrupt and disorganise schooling, and next you expect them to respect schooling and education? ‘It is through education that society both preserves and renews itself.’[Hannah Arendt]. Until we can get this through our head we’ll never be able to turn the regressive situation in our country.

You may ask yourself what do people who call themselves political and community leaders stand to achieve by disrupting children’s schooling. Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe recently reprimanded the president of the ANC Youth League for visiting schools during school hours and disrupting schooling. And here in the Western Cape you have a Treasure of the ANC Youth League, Andile Lile, being part of bogus forces of intimidation that closes schools so children may not learn. What are we expected to read from that? And they expect us to still believe them when they say ‘The doors of learning shall be opened to all’ when they are doing everything in their power to shut them.

What drives the TA members to embark on these kind of actions is of course the determination to create the nomenclature (cadre deployment where public servants are appointed by the ‘Party’) culture in this country. Nothing that is not of the same stable and thinking is allowed to exist, and is, by all means, purged away wherever it sprouts.

In the nomenclature culture, accountability is replaced by party loyalty; political debate by populist gerrymandering, failure is subsidised as progress, intimidation is called transformation, tyranny justified as protecting the ‘revolution’; wide spread poverty that comes from making silly decisions is tolerated as faithfulness to the cause, etc. Before you know quangocracy, dysfunctional democracy is upon you. That’s what happens when you confuse nation’s needs with party interests and personal material gain.

The nomenclature custom refuses to allow anyone anywhere who does not share its thinking, and is usually promoted as ‘the revolution’. When the pressure of real social sentiment is not with the ‘the revolution’ thugs are hired to promote it by violence and intimidation. The language becomes replete with military terminology and offensive fronts.

I urge the communities to stand and reclaim their communities; let’s not it happen what happened in the early eighties when we were terrorised by thugs in the name of ‘the struggle’. Then people, from religious communities and civil ones eventually stood to up to say enough is enough, which what materialised as the United Democratic Movement (UDF). It looks what was necessary then has become so again.

If we say we are liberated we must rejected everything that comes with our oppression even when disguised as culture, custom, or political loyalty. For far too long our education system has been fragmented and politicised. For far too long we’ve been dominated, forced and compelled to be things we don’t really like in the name of one thing or the other. For far too long we’ve allowed fiddling politicians to use our public institutions for one idea over another, largely for political expediency. Enough is enough.

Issued by:

Mbulelo Ncedana, MPL
Cope Chairperson in the Western Cape

The Congress Working Committee of the Congress of the People met at its first session for 2010 on Monday, 18th January to consider the organizational programme for 2010. The discussions around the organizational programme were informed by the statement of the Congress National Committee which was delivered by the President on 16 December 2009.

The organizational programme for 2010 is based on the state of our organisation, our achievements in the past twelve months, the challenges that we were confronted with in carrying out our organizational and political work, as well as those challenges that confront our public representatives at local, provincial and national levels of government.

This programme will be tabled at the Strategic Planning Session of the Congress National Committee to be held on the 05 -07 February 2010. The Strategic Planning Session will be attended by members of the CNC, representatives of COPE Youth

Movement, COPE Women’s Movement, COPE Student Movement and all public representatives of COPE at local, provincial and national level.

It is this Strategic Planning Session that will extensively discuss the state of the organization and our work in various legislatures with a view of strengthening the capacity of the Congress of the People to continue to defend the Constitution and our democracy. It is important that the strategy session also maps out approaches by COPE at all levels on issues of health policy, education, Energy, broadcasting bill, Economic, jobs, poverty, social and economic infrastructure, rural development, service delivery and preparations for local government.

The Strategic Planning Session will also discuss preparations for the 2011 Local Government Elections as well as identify issues that COPE should concentrate on.

As stated in our statement on 16 December 2010, the Congress of the People will hold a National Policy Conference during the first half of 2010. The conference will provide a platform for the organization to discuss challenges confronting our society in various sectors and accordingly develop policy positions that are aimed at providing solutions.

2010 is also a year of the long awaited National Elective Congress of the Congress of the People. Arising out of the Strategic Planning Session, final dates of the National Congress will be announced. However, it is important to note that the processes of organizing for the National Congress are already underway.

As we convene here today, our provinces are seized with the task of preparing both branches and regions towards their launching conferences. This process will culminate into Provincial Congress to be held as soon as is practically possible. While the election of leadership is important, of utmost priority is developing policies that continue to capture the imagination of our people.

The CWC noted a number of statements by members and supporters and structures of the party on the state of the organization. The CWC welcomes all comments and criticism aimed at strengthening the organization from all quarters.

We however urge all members to utilize internal processes to raise such issues in order to allow for robust debates and consideration by all structures. It is our considered view that all proposals and comments should be aimed at strengthening the party rather than send a message of a party in disarray.

We will continue to engage all our structures and members on developing an approach to fostering debates, criticism and proposals throughout the party.
The CWC also held a meeting with the leadership of COPE Youth Movement on the 19th January 2010 at their. This meeting discussed both organizational and operational issues.

In this instance, the meeting agreed on the need to integrate organizational programmes and ensure that the Youth Movement continue to occupy a center stage in mobilizing young people behind the vision and programme of COPE. The party will also continue to provide political and administrative support as well as political guidance to the Youth Movement.

The COPEYM briefed the CWC about the process of finalizing a discussion document on challenges facing the party. This document will be made available for consideration by the CNC once adopted by their structures. At the moment it remains a drat discussion document of COPEYM.

Issued by: COPE General Secretary
20 January 2010
33 Hoofd Street, 1st Floor, Forum II, Braampark, Braamfontein Johannessburg, GT 2017 South Africa

Statement on Matric Results

The Congress of the People note the released Matric results of the 2009 class and welcome them. COPE is saddened and highly concerned of the decline that has just been experienced from the 2008 62% to 60.1% as we believe that these results are a mediocre as it has negative implications to the labour and all other spheres. This is a clear sign that in teaching, learning and support the level of education continue to decline it is a cause for concern.

These results should not surprise us because the Education Department has not been strict enough on teacher responsibility, especially the SADTU members who continue menddling on political issues even when it is to the detriment of learners. This sometimes results in learners loosing out on important valuable school time because of the neglect and irresponsibility of teachers. COPE has been consistent in highlighting the reckless behaviour of teachers led by the SADTU affiliation.

While COPE welcomes the Ministry’s statement that Mpumalanga results are credible and no systematic defaults have been found, COPE is adamant that no amount of good can be done in the department by the current Premier. The rot in that department started under the current’s Premier watch, and we don’t have any confidence in the Minister’s commitment on the part of Mr Mabuza. COPE calls on the National Department to deal with all the internal rot which continues to surface during exam period leading to the compromise in the quality of results in that Province and damages the integrity of the Department at large.

The Congress of the People takes note of the National Department putting Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KZN in the priority list of developmental upgrade, but is concerned that this so called intervention has been promised before but no positive results have yet yielded, with the exception of KZN where there’s visible improvement in the current results. Improving quality of education in these provinces requires drastic measures which must be informed by solid planning, results driven attitude from teachers, and a positive working relation between learners and teachers as they form the important component of education in schooling environment. The department must come up with a turn around strategy to deal with the provinces showing no improvement and if some of those changes include sacrificing cadres that must be in order to prioritise the education of our children.

COPE demands a full explanation and account of events that led to the whole Mpumalanga debacle and the details of the intended intervention in order to understand the actual problem.

COPE congratulates all the matriculants and wish them well in their future paths of furthering their studies. To all the one who need to sit for supplementary we encourage them to do so. And those who must repeat matric let them do so with even more determination.

Anele Mda is a COPE Member of Parliament and the Basic Education National Spokesperson
+27822202568

The Congress of the People would like to extend its congratulations to successful learners who have passed their final examinations in 2009 and commends the hard work of teachers and principals who have supported their learners to attain the best possible results. For these young South Africans this exam result represents the best future they can have. Many of these learners overcame huge challenges to reap the reward of passing matric. To these young South Africans, we say “Halala!”

To the students who will be writing supplementary exams we say, there is nothing as good as a second chance. Even though you were not convincing to examiners the first time around, you have not be written off, so use this second opportunity to convince yourselves that “yes you can” make it.

To those learners that did not make it we say, it is not in falling but in rising each time you fall that makes for success. Look closely at what you need to stop, start and continue as you tackle Matric again this year. We wish you everything of the best.

Once again this examination period has been marred by leaks, specifically in Mpumalanga. It is surprising that throughout the years of such fraudulent activities, especially in Mpumalanga, the government still has no plan of how to deal with these issues.

The current premier of Mpumalanga, David Mabuza, should be held to account as well. He had previously served as MEC for Education in that Province at a time when there was prima facie evidence of widespread tampering with matric results. A jump in the pass rate of over 25% under his tenure as Education MEC, and now these leaks calls into question his integrity. He is clearly not the right man for the job in terms of turning the tide in that province. The problem cannot be its own solution.

The national pass rate of 60,7% is mediocre. A decline in the pass rate is not an acceptable development. It will contribute towards fewer young South Africans entering tertiary education institutions and will hamstring the economy in the long run. It is also interesting to note that despite having a new Department of Higher Education, this department and political head, has thus far failed to come up with a single programme to assist learners who want to attend FET’s.

With the quality of education and the administration thereof on the decline, it is clear that education is a priority in name only for the ANC. While it is admirable that the minister of Finance has allocated more money towards education, the administration of this money and the effective use of resources is the key to quality education for all South African learners. Throwing more money down a bottomless pit is irresponsible. Given this poor result, the Minister of Basic Education should do the honourable thing and resign. The Minister and the government have clearly failed the learners of this count

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

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.

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

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

On the 10 November 2009, the Mthatha High Court granted COPE Student Movement (COPE SM) branch in Walter Sisulu University a Court interdict to deem the Student Representative Council (SRC) elections that took place unlawful.

The Student Movement was forced to take action in Court, with the assistance of Mvuzo Notyesi Incorporation in Mthatha, after the SASCO led SRC refused to recognise COPE SM prior to this year’s SRC elections in that campus (Nelson Mandela Drive Campus). COPE Student Movement has suffered such treatment many a times around the country from SASCO led SRCs and in many cases we have always had our applications of affiliation delayed.

The hostility shown towards COPE SM by SASCO in some institutions is in line with remarks made in a statement they released on the 15-12-08, “While respecting the right of COPE to mobilise, we call on all our members and students to reject COPE and ensure that COPE doesn’t recruit in our campuses.” It is obvious that SASCO has egg on its face because COPE SM has managed to mobilise in almost all institutions in our country. We currently have presence in about 80% of the possible Student Movement branches.

As a progressive Student Movement that has high regard for the judiciary and the rule of law, we welcome the challenge by the SRC and we will respect any verdict reached upon by the Court of law after the hearing tomorrow, 26 November 2009.

We are of the view that SASCO is very unconstitutional in frustrating the existence of COPE SM in a country that has a Constitution that encourages a multiparty state, this should subsequently allow for the same in Institutions of Higher Learning.

Additional information: Sandile Puti (Provincial Co-ordinator COPESM)
083 543 2237

(This is a transcription report on the media briefing given by the interim chairperson of Cope in the Western Cape on 23 November 2009)

First let me thank you for taking out time to attend this media briefing. Our objective is to address the question, which has been widely asked especially in the media about where COPE stands since the elections.

Last Friday we held a meeting to discuss the Standing of our organisation (COPE Western Cape). It was decided that by the time COPE contest local government elections it must have fully fledged structures.

There’s been quite a media hype and complaints about COPE lack of visibility and energy since the elections. This organisation was established almost on the public platform. I remember how the press used to follow us wherever we go. This is perhaps why now people expect to see everything happening within the party on that platform also.

It is perhaps understandable that people should expect COPE to be always in the public space since it was almost born on that platform. But it is impossible for any organisation to grow through the public platform. The growing pains are a private thing, and, as the saying goes, to every birth its blood.

Building an organisation is vastly different from sparkling it into existence. It requires committed members to go into the trenches. To make any significant inroads our members must be on the ground. It is unfortunate that the media cannot follow such activities. For instance, here at the Metro last weekend, we launched 4 branches and I don’t recall seeing any media person there.

But as far as launching our branches, the work is progressing, a little slow there and there for our liking since we are in a hurry to go to go to our elective conferences. We don’t want to rush things, because we want the process to follow our constitution and guidelines, to facilitate easier auditing process when submitted to the national office.

After the elections we had to come to the establishment of the political party, getting into the focus of recruiting to make people full members. In the strategic session held in June we resolved that our major challenge now should be on establishing structure towards elective conference.

Having accessed the number of branches already launched as opposed to those still not in good standing we decided we will have a provincial elective conference during the first week of March. We want to afford our regions opportunity to go to their regional conference from December onwards.

What is crucial for the Congress of the People presently is that it should hasten the process of forming structures. This is the only thing that’ll enable it to move forward and end all these squabbles. This process is the only thing that’ll help legitimise structures and the leadership.

Some say the only way even the elective conferences are going to work is if the present interim leadership is dissolved. We’ve, time after time, tried to explain the folly of this attitude. Our people are in a hurry to put into leadership positions the candidates they want to elect democratically. To delay that process with unnecessarily restructuring of the interim structure, which by the way will need to be vetted and approved by the CNC (Congress National Committee) is undesirable.

As the interim leadership for that matter we’ve no powers to dissolve structures; it’s a national prerogative. Even they, I’m sure, have no powers to dissolve legitimate structures without proper reasons. These things are controlled by our constitution.

It became apparent to us at some stage when we were trying to accommodate the issues of those who call themselves a ‘concerned group’ that their only interest was not the good of the party; they are more concerned with pushing for positions of power. They made demands about something they call Zebra accommodation, which roughly means that if, for instance, the current chairperson of the province remains then the deputy and the secretary must come from themselves.

On what grounds; we wanted to know. No one was able to answer, except that it was clear they were pushing for power. Our major concern is this. Say by some forced trick of mutual agreement that by necessity must involve the CNC we were able to make this accommodation; what will stop another disgruntled group from making similar demands. The interesting thing is that the same people who are making these demands were part of the processes that lead to the appointment of the interim group.

We were operating through the mandate we were given at the Bloemfontein Conference, which said there must be appointed interim leadership to take us to elective conference. Their complaint is that the process was undemocratic. Our answer is, how is it possible to have a democratically elected interim leadership when you do not have proper structures on the ground.

The appointment of the representative of the Western Cape interim leadership was based on trying to have a team that is inclusive by profiles of race, gender, geography. Our regions were given opportunity to comment on the proposals, and people like Gophe and Joseph, who are now leaders of the ‘concerned group’ were part of that process.

Then there’s the issue about the list. This matter is now in the hands of our national office. We as this interim leadership were also taken by surprise when we discovered the list that came back from us was not the same one we submitted. Kuta, for instance, here next to me, was high up in that list, but when it came back his name didn’t even feature in the top 30.

Investigations were instigated, and we were assured by the national office that they are still in the process of finalising it. We were given a presidential report as the PLIG (Provincial Interim Group) that basically were saying the founding are still inconclusive, hence the process is continuing. The difficulty lies in the fact the person responsible for finalising the list, Mlungisi Hlongwane, has since resigned from COPE; in fact it almost clear now that he was an agent paid to destroy the organisation.

In our mind we are now clear that the disgruntled group in our province is no longer looking out for the good of the organisation. They’ve formed syndicates and are behaving like paid agents to destroy the organisation. Some of them while meeting and talking with us were in parallel talks with other organisation, like the ANC, and so forth.

How do you take such people seriously as working for the good of the organisation. They much to our offices with organised school children carrying slanderous placards instead of giving us their official concerns. What they want and ever do is to undermine and darken the image of the current interim leadership.

Mbulelo Ncedana
COPE Interim Chairperson (Western Cape)

While many may see this as a potential turning point in the parastatal’s fortunes, COPE is less optimistic.

Among the contributing factors to the continued failure of the parastatal is the willingness of the CEO, the Eskom board and government to bow down to the whims of the powerful coal lobby. The relationship between the ruling party and Chancellor House, especially in the awarding of tenders to build new coal fired power stations is also a matter of grave concern.

These corrupt and monopolistic relationships have affected the operations and long term planning for this country and the ripple effects will be dire if action is not taken.

We cannot blame Jacob Maroga solely for the current state of affairs. Government does not seem to have the will nor the incentive to change the outdated legislation and policy framework for energy, especially when it comes to deregulation of the energy sector, to address very pressing 21st century problems, like climate change and closing the gap between the rich and the poor.

Reports of a leadership struggle within Eskom are also very discouraging. We are also yet to hear of a golden handshake to Jacob Maroga which will inevitably come in the next few days – a further burden on the taxpayer.

The next CEO needs to have the backbone to do the right thing for the people of South Africa, and not just the privileged few who benefit from the continued inadequacies of the parastatal.

COPE are at the forefront of changing the energy sector and have called a conference for Clean, Affordable, Sustainable Energy (CASE) for early 2010.

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

Comments attributed to the COPE Youth Movement (Western Cape), led by Comrade Vuyisile Schoeman have been condemned by the national leadership of the Youth Movement. We can not allow a situation where leaders, particularly a person of Dr Boesak’s stature and standing to be humiliated publicly by young people using the banner of COPE Youth Movement.

They (COPEYM Western Cape) have been requested by the national youth leadership to withdraw the statement with immediate effect and apologise to Dr Boesak, failing which, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) of the youth would take further sanctions against COPEYM WC at its meeting this coming weekend. We cannot accept our national leaders and public representatives being humiliated publicly, as there are avenues in which comrades can raise pertinent matters without going public berating our leaders.

On behalf of the COPE Youth Movement, we apologise for the embarrassment caused to Dr Boesak, and we assure the public that what happened in the Western Cape, shall never be tolerated in our movement.

Issued by the Congress of the People Youth Movement
Contact: Sipho Nghona (Head: Communications) 083 591 2282

COPE Youth Movement welcomes the mid-term budget speech presented by Minister Pravin Gordhan in the National Assembly on Tuesday, 27 October 2009. It was comforting to see that the Minister did not bow to pressure from the leftist forces and centred the allocation of funds to key priority areas such as the creation of jobs, quality education, quality health care, rural development, crime and corruption.

Whilst South Africa has the highest education budget in Africa, it is imperative that with an additional increase and allocation by R45bn (from R140bn to R185bn), it will not help if this allocation is not used for the benefit and true empowerment opportunities for our learners. This budget allocation must be used prudently to create a feasible and conducive environment for young people and their educators to exceed all expectation. We shall keep a close eye on Minister Blade Nzimande’s promise to “increase participation to 20 per cent of young people aged 18-24 over the next five years and a cumulative target of 350 000 industrial and related apprenticeships and scarce skill learnerships.”

We have also noted that Minister Angie Motshekga has committed to providing “supplementary learning materials to 5.5 million school learners by 2012, aimed at improving literacy and numeracy in the foundation phase of schooling” and that, “primary school nutrition programmes will be increased to reach 8.6 million children by 2012/2013.” We welcome this, and further hope that this is not merely paying lip service to appease the South African public, but that the programmes will be implemented to benefit our young learners and assist their educators.

We are also pleased with the extension of the child support grant up to the age of 18, over the next three years, and an additional expenditure of R5.4bn towards the HIV/AIDS programme. It is no secret that most people affected by the pandemic are young, and with this allocation, proper programmes to reach the masses must be implemented. Following the medical practitioners crippling strike earlier on in the year, we are positive about the Minister’s announcement to improve their remuneration which has been budgeted for. We call on the Government to act decisively on this matter and open it up to all employees of the health sector to align their salaries to the work they conduct.

In summary, COPE Youth Movement is satisfied with the Minister’s mid-term speech, and we would now keep a close watch on whether the allocations would be used prudently and in a manner that will benefit society at large, especially vulnerable young people with no access to resources. We also caution against corrupt practices, as increases in budget allocation could open up a web of irregular tenders being awarded to spouses, comrades and friends.

Contact: Sipho Nghona: (Head: Communications) 083 591 2282

COPE Student Movement (COPESM) would like to condemn the statement made by ANCYL leader in Free State, that Professor Jonathan Jansen should be “shot and killed because he is a racist”, with the contempt it deserves. What is of more concern is the fact that the national spokesperson of the ANCYL, Floyd Shivambu, publicly endorsed such defamatory remarks which are a threat to our fragile democracy.

We would have hoped that an experienced student leader like Shivambu, having led as SRC President at Wits University, would know better how to act as an inspiration and role model to upcoming student leaders. However his endorsement of the remarks flies as an insult across the face of expectations. It is evident to us as COPESM that the space for intellectual discourse on issues has been killed by the rhetoric and populism currently evident in the ANCYL.

Even if the ANCYL shot and killed Prof Jansen, the problem of racial discrimination would still remain in UFS if not nipped in the bud. The ANCYL has gone for the individual rather than the issue at hand. This is a very sensitive subject and cynical statements like those of Meeko have no place in our society. Such utterances have an effect of evoking negative emotions in people and they can indeed start doing regrettable things that may take our nation building progress backward.

Prof Jansen made an error of judgment by dropping the charges without broad consultation; however he has shown distinct leadership by welcoming the engagement on the issue. Thus, no one can indict him for lacking commitment towards reconciliation. Prof Jonathan Jansen has done the commendable thing by reopening the consultation process in UFS. What we all should be doing is to engage the Vice-Chancellor and present our arguments to him. This should be done in an environment of mutual respect with the objective of promoting dialogue.

The ANCYL must know that freedom of expression has responsibilities, and mutual respect, even when you differ in opinions, is the prerequisite of a working democracy. We call on all students to stand up against this lack of respect for Prof Jansen and our nation at large. The ANCYL must engage on these issues in the appropriate forums and stop feeding students such destructive anti-intellectual vitriol.

Issued by: Lukhona Mnguni 083 503 8779

The Congress of the People is very pleased with the consistency reflected in the MTBPS presented today.

The Minister of Finance has stood up and provided the leadership that COPE has expected of him. It is clear that the treasury is still in control and that they have resisted taking a populist turn.

COPE also welcomes the Government’s task team report to effect savings, but think that this report should have been released earlier. The review of the ministerial handbook is long overdue, promptimg one to intuit that ministers are going on a spending spree to avoid any cuts that may be proposed in a newly revised handbook.

COPE further welcomes the Minister’s recognition that the quality of public services, especially in poor communities is often inadequate. His stance on on low inflation targets is to be applauded, especially as he has clearly resisted calls from the populists in the SACP and COSATU on this issue.

It is clear that South Africa needs to up its productivity levels to get on par with other emerging markets if we want to grow the economy.

A shift in industrial policy towards labour intensive sectors of the economy, and specifically to assisting the youth enter the economy at an early stage is welcome.

COPE hopes that rural development and agriculture will benefit as labour intensive sectors. One concern is the continued threat to ban labour brokers.

COPE is concerned about the trend in the increase of state debt and that the salary bill of the state is just getting too high to be comfortable about it. If we do not get this under control, South Africans must prepare themselves for major tax increases in future.

Higher borrowing is only a temporary solution and if government fails to reduce the deficit over the medium term, we shall have less money for social and economic priorities.

The only way out means higher taxes or a faster growing economy. The problem is that South Africa will more than likely lag behind the curve of the world economic recovery and we do not support the over optimistic view that South Africa will so easily get off the hook.

COPE do have a concern that there is not enough of a stimulus package to assist our recovery and that it might even take longer than estimated by the minister. By being over optimistic we create a false perception that it is okay to carry on spending, which will certainly guarantee tax increases in future.

This MTBPS has restored confidence about the role of the Treasury and it’s clear that the Minister of Finance will continue on the consistent road introduced by his predecessor. This approach, if adhered to, will restore business confidence and will assist with our economic recovery.

For further information, please contact Nick Koornhof on 083 775 7618 or Phillip Dexter on 082 453 4088

Whilst the Congress of the People Youth Movement would welcome conciliatory resolutions to racial intolerance and discrimination, we believe that this should be an all inclusive process embarked on by extensive consultation with the aggrieved, the perpetrators and institutions of state.

There’s merit to Professor Jansen’s withdrawal of the charges, trying to promote reconciliation in our country, and all. But reconciliation that comes at the expense of justice breeds resentment.

Another concern is the seeming disregard for the aggrieved in the case, since we don’t hear whether they were consulted on the decision. There are also other Government institutions and NGOs that should have been consulted to provide better procedure on how to handle such sensitive a matter. We are also concerned that there has been no indication that the Reitz four are remorseful for the atrocities they committed, and this does not augur well for the rooting out of racism in our institutions of learning.

We therefore left with one conclusion, that though Professor Jansen’s decision was inspired by a good and noble cause it failed procedurally, and would implore him and the administrative staff of the university to reconsider their decision. We would also like to call to the Ministry of Education to put in place measures to ensure that the aggrieved would receive counselling and compensation for the actions perpetrated against them. It is imperative that a good precedent is set with the Reitz four to ensure such inhumane acts are never repeated.

Contact: Sipho Nghona: (Head: Communications) 083 591 2282

8 October 2009

JOINT STATEMENT

Yesterday’s disruption of the public hearings on labour brokers in Germiston is a mutilation on the dignity of parliament and cannot be tolerated. These hearings are in fact nothing but a charade, with the ANC and Cosatu making a farcical pretence at “discussing” an issue on which they have in fact made up their minds already. It is for this reason that the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Congress of the People (COPE) are withdrawing from the proceedings; our continued presence would suggest that such undemocratic behavior is tolerable.

The ANC and Cosatu are equally guilty of tarnishing the parliamentary process – the ANC for encouraging the chaos and Cosatu for not showing any respect for such a crucial function of government. The ANC is like a judge that does not control his own courtroom and allows thugs to threaten the public – because the verdict has been decided on long before the process has started.

Not only do these events completely undermine the bona fides of this process, but they also call into question the integrity and the legitimacy of parliament. If a gang of thugs can be allowed to trample over an official, legitimate consultative process, then we cannot claim to be living in a democracy.

The DA and COPE have until now participated in these hearings in good faith. It was made clear to us yesterday that we can no longer do so, and we are therefore withdrawing from any further participation.

Yesterday evening Cosatu and their members turned a parliamentary hearing into a political rally.

Participants wearing Cosatu T-shirts waved sticks and threw empty bottles and tin cans at participants with whom they did not agree. One member of the Unemployed People’s Party, for example, had bottles thrown at him when he tried to make his presentation and he was shouted down and threatened, leading to his submission not being heard.

ANC officials did little to rein in the thugs, and the result was that many people who did not agree with COSATU were not given a chance to speak or voice their opinion.

The impression that these processes are a mere formality, and that the outcome has already been determined, is reinforced by a circular that has been given to the DA from the Gauteng Health Department, giving notice that it will be “phasing out” the use of nursing agencies in public hospitals. The public health system uses more labour brokers, through nursing agencies who staff public hospitals, than any other arm of government.

The DA and COPE will attend no more of these hearings because it would lend credence to a process that has been severely abused.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) of the Congress of the People met in an extra-ordinary session on 21st September 20 09 to consider several organisational matters. Among the issues discussed was a complaint letter by comrade Deidre Carter, the Deputy General Secretary against Ms Anele Mda, the Convenor of the Congress of the People Youth Movement.

Having deliberated extensively the CWC concluded that the gravity of the matters raised were significantly important and contrary to what the Congress of the People stands for ,they merited immediate and decisive action on the part of the party. The CWC therefore decided that Ms Mda should be suspended from all leadership structures of the party i.e. as a member of the Congress National Committee (CNC), the Congress Working Committee (CWC) as well as from being the Convenor of the Youth Movement (COPE YM) pending a disciplinary process on the matter.

The CWC takes this opportunity to apologise, on behalf of the members of the Congress of the People, to the people of South Africa that such behaviour should even be alleged to have been committed by its member especially one who is in leadership. As COPE we re-iterate our commitment to a non-racial and non-se xist South Africa. We also re-iterate our belief in building a membership that is disciplined and respectful of our values as a democratic African country.

The CWC also regrets that, due to the need for it to give this matter serious consideration, it has taken longer than it would have liked to address this matter. On this note we call on our membership to respect this disciplinary process

Statement

I’m sure we are clear by now what the impact of this recession have been in the world general, and on the Western Cape in particular:
• The retrenchments that escalates the rate of joblessness and sense of insecurity on the employed
• Large companies giving depression profit figures and stop filling vacancies
• Borrower’s default and banks tightening lending policies
• Prices of essential commodities shooting up
• Property and stock come down drastically with nobody buying
• The country’s GDP shrunk

There’s now talk about being on the recovery, but the reality on the ground still looks very bleak. Take the fishing industry, which affects this province directly. In Saldanha, a fishing company called Southern Seas recently retrenched about 900 hundred people. Its the similar story in St Helena Bay too where 553 workers at Sandy Point were retrenched.

In Lambrechts Bay a factory was forced to innovate through the acumen of business manager who decided to expand the business to include potato pealing, which saved a lot of jobs even if they were still forced to scale down. At Dworn Bay another fishing company closed down and the workers and community were resourceful enough to establish another jointly owned company to create work for themselves. So no one should say people are just waiting for handouts from the government. What is disturbing is that, in all this people’s plight and ventures the voice of government is deafeningly silent. One is tempted to think the government still considers only big business as real business.

What we are trying to say is that the signs of South Africa’s economic recovery are not yet visible in the ground. The economics promise us the worst is over, that banking institutions are starting to relax their lending policies. But the community of De Doors Bay knocked in vain on the doors of our banking institutions to buy the needed equipment for their new company. Instead of being coached on what they must do to get a loan they were taken from pillar to post. This is the kind of attitude that we need to change.

The problems of the capitalist system are not necessarily structural, but involve our lack of will to distribute its harvests as equitable and widely as possible. The financial markets have become what T.S. Eliot talked about in his poem[I quote]; They constantly try to escape / From the darkness outside and within / By dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good [close quote]

We need a system where it is us, the people who’ll be good. We are our brethren’s keepers. The attitude we must keep in mind is what Moeletsi Mbeki says in his book; Architects of Poverty: “The single most important factor determining the level of development of any country is the degree to which it is able to control its own political, economic and social space, and therefore its policies.” If we really mean our slogan of this province being a home for all, we must start showing it in a way we design policies with a pro poor bias. Because these are the people who’ve so far been marginalised, and are rightly starting to strain on the leash.

Thank you!
Onell De Beer, MP
Cope NCOP member
****

Debate

South Africa seem to have avoided the eye of the recession due to a combination of different things:
• strong economic and financial fundamentals
• strong regulation due to our less developed financial market than anything
• early developmental stage, which means our consumption is not heavily dependent on credit
• strong policy credibility
• also the 2010 world cup factor that has boosted our construction industry in particular

We would be foolish to try and meddle too much with where we’ve been successful. What we should be looking at and correcting is why the successes do not treacle down to the majority. We are told that the financial crisis might has reached its bottom, yet political frustration, as demonstrated by the so called service delivery protests, is growing. I think we all agree that the capitalist system as we know reached a low point of near collapse with this recession.

The failures of any system offer opportunity to promote dramatic change. That opportunity may have been missed already by our leading governments of our world. But it is in the power of provincial government, in this country, to implement fiscal stimulus (an infrastructure development programs) that can assist especially the worst hit by any economic recession, which is the poor.

In this country we have lower financial vulnerabilities, but not a large and stronger domestic market to sustain our domestic demand. This is why we don’t seem to be creating enough development to absorb our labour, especially the unskilled and semi-skilled. This speaks our shrinking manufacturing sector. We must ask ourselves how we can adopt policies that promote capital accumulation and investment in social capital, which is education, health, public housing and social peace.

It is clear that we need to intervene to promote our informal market business. We need to train our informal sector to improve their business skills. We need to provide them with accessible capital for business. This would also promote social peace by easing the current tensions in the township where you find local businessmen angry with Somali business people. The Somali business people are able to underprice the local business because they have a caste system that allows individuals to borrow against a clan accumulated capital in setting up and running their business. We need to educate and provide our people too with the structural support they require. It is also important to find means of regulating and teaching them about the importance of paying tax.

If truth be told, it is that the call for providing entrepreneurship programmes and apprenticeship have not been well received by our business sector. Ideally these would have been done on voluntary basis, but experience shows that this does not work, or else the government has yet provided enough carrot to entice the business rabbit. The government must give tax incentives for business to take mentoring, training and sharing of skills. But we’d urge it to compel our private sector to introduce compulsory apprentice training and mentoring programmes.

Naturally all these ventures will need capital and incentives to be effective. This is why we were impressed by the Premier on her recent visit to Germany when she raised the issue with foreign funders.

We encourage our provincial government to positively intervene to help develop our business, with special emphasis in our fishing industry. And something drastic is need to boost our manufacturing sector, especially where we have comparative advantage, like in boat building. Fiscal packages for infrastructure, as well as the tax breaks to struggling industries and capital goods sales, is not necessarily a bad thing, so long as they are part of support for the labour markets, and designed to expand our domestic production. What they must not be is mere bail outs. Business must be to account for them through investing back in social capital

As my colleague, the hon De Beer, indicated that as much as the capitalist system needs to be realigned, the attitude its proprietors need to radically change too. We hear a good talk by economist about how governments should be looking for ways to go beyond stimulation packages and bail outs to stimulate more sustainable growth. What none is not talking about are ways of preventing these recession cycles from happening again and again. We are here in danger of missing yet another historic opportunity as the Bangladeshi newspaper, The New Nation, said it best when it wrote last year [I quote]:

It’s very telling that trillions have already been spent to patch up leading world financial institutions, while out of the comparatively small sum of $12.3 billion pledged in Rome earlier this year, to offset the food crisis, only $1 billion has been delivered. The hope that at least extreme poverty can be eradicated by the end of 2015, as stipulated in the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, seems as unrealistic as ever, not due to lack of resources but a lack of true concern for the world’s poor. [end quote]

Real concern for the poor is what is lacking in the attitude of our leaders and financial institutions. The ‘macroeconomics’ that led to this crisis only makes analytical sense if examined within the framework of the political settlements and distributional outcomes in which it had operated. Hence we must take into perspective the critical social theories when examining it. It is the outcome of something much more systemic, namely an attempt to use radical marketsim as a new technology of power to help transform capitalism into a rentiers’ delight; that is a system that imposes only minimal pressures on big business agents to engage in competitive struggles in the real economy, while inflicting exactly the opposite fate on workers and small firms.

Our national government’s attitude of wanting to use the state as a major facilitator of the ever-increasing rent-seeking practices of oligopolistic capital is flawed also. We define oligopolistic capital as non productive capital that exist in parasitic relationship to state resources. We in recession because ‘markets’ took their inevitable revenge on the greed of rentiers by calling their bluff and rubbishing their the gambler’s attitude. Something similar can easily happen to oligopolistic activity if there’s nor real economic activity happening on the ground where the state derives its income. Oligopolistic capital produces only elites consumers who do not produce real income.

Thank you!
Mbulelo Ncedana, MPP
Cope Chief Whip

Interpellations

Mr. G.R. Strachan to ask Ms H. Zille, Premier

1) When and where will the Special Economic Zones referred to in the State of the Province Address of the Premier be implemented?

Editorial Background on Special Economic Zones

A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a geographical region that has economic laws that are more liberal than a country’s typical economic laws. The category ‘SEZ’ covers a broad range of more specific zone types, including Free Trade Zones (FTZ), Export Processing Zones (EPZ), Free Zones (FZ), Industrial Estates (IE), Free Ports, Urban Enterprise Zones and others. Usually the goal of a structure is to increase foreign direct investment by foreign investors, typically an international business or a multinational corporation (MNC).

SEZs are often developed under a public-private partnership arrangement, in which the public sector provides some level of support (provision of off-site infrastructure, equity investment, soft loans, bond issues, etc) to enable a private sector developer to obtain a reasonable rate of return on the project (typically 10-20% depending on risk levels).
Cope’s input

Before embarking on the road of establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) we need to learn from global experience what to look out for and against;
• How would we ensure that the SEZs have people friendly projects that’ll not spin out of control by marginalizing a huge section of poor people?
• Will IT related software parks and technology hubs be part of our SEZs to take comparative advantage of our region, especially around the metro?
• We need to develop clear indications of how we plan them to assist the government in setting up of new infrastructure, help ancillary units sprout and create new substantial jobs
• Will the SEZs in the Western Cape have any particular sector focus?
• If so, will there be certain tax exemption enforced on a certain territory, involving cancellation of a profit tax and property tax?
• Won’t this end up taking too much needed revenue from the Finance Ministry?
• Will there be a multi-currency regime?
• If so how are we going to avoid them degenerating into money laundering region, or the risk of loosing our macro-economic stability and economic sovereignty?
• Will contingency plans be made to make sure that the SEZ’s will not be hijacked by developers who will, for instance, corner huge swathes of rich, agricultural land with a measly compensation handed over to farmers without resettlement and rehabilitation policy?
• Are plans in place to set aside land within SEZs for greenery, environmental friendly sewage and water treatment?

These questions we ask not to discourage innovative, but to make sure that every angle of thought has been envisaged about the possible consequences of SEZ. For if the SEZs prosperity does not trickle down to the rest of the population they’ll foster an impression that the government is setting them up to underline an ugly fact that even after 15 years of democracy, we still do not have the kind of decent infrastructure in the country that should have normally been the case.

That though services should have been available to all it could not be created and so now there’ll be special areas demarcated for special people, while others will continue to live without power, water, roads and green areas. There’s risk that SEZs will be seen as Islands of prosperity where the rich are ecologically subsidized, while the lesser mortals live on the fringes. This can only foster resentment among the have nots.

Tozama Bevu, MPP
Cope

Statement by the Congress National Committee meeting of the Congress of the People, held over the 4, 5 and 6 September 2009 at COPE Headquarters.
The CNC met and held 3 full days of discussion and deliberation. The meeting took place a few days after the by-election victory in Tembisa. This victory and COPE’s performance in all the by-elections shows a huge groundswell in support for the party. The CNC discussed a political overview given by the President, Mosiuoa Lekota, received reports on the state of the organisation, including its finances and structures and discussed the performance of the various departments of the party and its public representatives. High on the agenda was the discussion on cooperation with other political parties.

The meeting concluded that;

• The political analysis that describes the challenges that our country faces is very clear in identifying the crisis in the ruling party as the source of many of the countries problems. This, along with the economic crisis, points to a serious threat to our democracy. COPE is determined to ensure that it mobilises all social forces in the country to defend our people from ongoing maladministration, corruption, the incessant interference in institutions such as the judiciary and the deteriorating conditions of the majority of our people.
• The discussion with other political parties is bearing fruit and will continue. COPE structures throughout the country will debate this issue to determine the final form of the cooperation between COPE and these parties.
• The state of the organisation report shows growth in the party, in spite of the many challenges and the CNC resolved to focus attention on those areas and structures where there are weaknesses to strengthen these. The CNC resolved that it will not tolerate or allow parallel structures to any of the existing COPE structures.
• The finance report delivered by the National Treasurer shows progress both in fundraising and in managing the party’s finances.
• The party is building important relationships internationally, particularly on the African continent and will prioritise these.
• The policy formulation process, COPE’s Carnival of Ideas, is up and running and details will be announced in due course of public participation opportunities.
• The CNC noted the increasing profile and activities of its MPs and MPLs.
• The CNC noted the UIF Party and New Vision Party decision to join COPE and welcomed these members.

The CNC also extended its heartfelt condolences to the Chief Justice, Pius Langa and his family on the passing of Mrs Langa.

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

The Congress of the People (COPE) is deeply upset with levels of moral decay in the society as demonstrated by the rampaging and gun- toting criminals who carried out unwarranted and unprovoked shootings on innocent bus commuters.

Yesterday (Wednesday) in a statement condemning the fire attacks, COPE MPL and legislative spokesperson for transport Ndzipho Kalipa said, “It is profoundly touching and hurting the worst to learn that family members lost their loved ones and breadwinners because some wicked interests of certain individuals were not satisfied. ”

If the attack on members of the civil society has been triggered by the launch of the newly -revamped bus system, our beloved country then is fast deteriorating into strips of “no go areas.” Then it means crime, corruption and filth within the society has indeed reached uncontrollable levels and manifest growing ungovernable tendencies, unbridled fights for power and resources.

Government’s failure to resolve differences with taxi associations on how to work together in rejuvenating the new transport network system is now beginning to haunt the country. It is not different to the appalling march that slipped into army revolt. It further corroborates, most seemingly the view that among multitudes of challenges facing our country, the fight for power, resources and status among different groups will always be our main concern if the law is not allowed to run its course.
We strongly denounce the brutal actions of these cold-blooded assassins and urge the police to track and nail them down to prison where they belong before more damage happened. Our prayers and thoughts are with the members of the deceased families.

COPE further insist on the national transport ministry to desist from promoting sectarian interests of other groups at the expense of others as alleged by disgruntled parties. It should begin to talk earnestly on the issues of developing a dedicated transport system in the country with all stakeholders involved in an honest and transparent manner in order to end bitter confrontations.

In a head to head showdown with the ANC, The Congress of the people (COPE) yesterday wrested power from the ANC in a municipal by election in ward 12 Ekurhuleni. The 2006 ANC majority of 87.21 % was slashed to 45.47%. .

The party also contested three further by elections showing growing strength with substantive gains at the expense of the ANC when it achieved 21.21 % in Lephalale (Ellisras) Limpopo, 21.39% in Upington, Northern Cape and 20.9% in Westonarea Gauteng.

These results confirm the inherent strength and potential of COPE as a viable alternative to the ANC. The new party, conceived only 9 months ago, is steadily building its organizational capacity throughout South Africa. COPE promises to be a major contender in the 2011 Municipal electrons as a forerunner to the 2014 general election when it plans to finally break down one party domination on its mission to consolidate democracy in South Africa.

The new era is dawning!

Dear friends

Congress of the people youth movement Eastern Cape

As the Congress of the people youth movement in the Province we held our meeting on the 22nd of August 2009, East London.

It is however unfortunate that the outcomes of our meeting have since been deliberately distorted by some for self serving reasons and would want to categorically communicate the true outcomes of our meeting.

• We noted and assessed the state of the organisation and therefore resolved that as the Congress of the people youth movement, we are an integral part of the Congress of the people (COPE) and as such we have a responsibility to continuously contribute towards it’s unity and cohesion
• We have a responsibility to better position ourselves to be able to earnestly build the structures of COPE and COPEYM
• We further affirmed that we would continuously work with Eastern Cape PILG as led by its chairperson Andile Nkuhlu. We understand very clearly that this is the only leadership that is legitimate and has the overall responsibility of leading the Congress of the people in the Eastern Cape.
• We further condemned the news of any other task team set-up by any individual/s who use the name of COPE in this fashion and proclaim themselves as leaders of this organisation
• We fully and unwaveringly aligned ourselves with the resolutions of the CNC that all legitimate structures of COPE would remain and continue with their work up until elective conferences are convened. This would include all sub-regions, regions, provinces and national structures including the National Steering Committee of the Youth movement as led by Anele Mda and Malusi Booi.

We condemn the opportunistic conduct by Mr. Nqaba Bhanga who saw it fit to misrepresent the views of our collective leadership. He has since been advised to discontinue any communication with the media on behalf of COPEYM pending the organisational internal processes which have been instituted against him. He has been placed on precautionary suspension pending his disciplinary hearing together with Mr. Lindile Mhlophe.
We hope and trust that this statement will go a long way in clarifying the true views of the COPEYM in the Eastern Cape Province; we would be available for any clarity that may arise from this communiqué.

Yours truly,

Mr. Odwa Voyi
Provincial Spokesperson (COPEYM)
Member of the provincial interim leadership group
083 249 1605
ovoyi@yahoo.com

Press Statement release – 22 AUGUST 2009

The Congress of the People Women’s Forum took exception to the embarrassment caused by the International Association of Athletes Federation (IAAF) to the young promising South African woman, Ms Caster Semenya.

Why do the doubts come only after Ms Semenya had won the Gold Medal for South Africa, would this young woman’s physic been an issue had she not won the Gold or any medal at the World Athlete Championship? Have we not said enough is enough on discrimination of any kind for the people of South Africa? For how long will we continue to be looked down upon by the International World?

This embarrassment does not only affect Caster, but her family, Moletsi village and South Africa at large. Instead of this moment becoming the most joyful moment for the young lady, her family and her country, it has now been turned into one big Fiasco.

The young heroin couldn’t have made us more proud in South Africa as August is a special month in our country, a month to celebrate women, their successes and the challenges we still face. You are a special gift for this August month, congratulations you have made us Proud, Halala Ntombazana.

JOINT STATEMENT BY HELEN ZILLE, MOSIUOA LEKOTA AND PATRICIA DE LILLE, LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE, THE CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS, AUGUST 7 2009

Section 174 (3) of Chapter 8 of the South African Constitution reads as follows:

“The President as head of the national executive, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, appoints the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice and, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission, appoints the President and Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.”

This is a critical constitutional requirement and central to it is the phrase: “…after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly”.

The idea of consultation is straightforward: it is the necessity that the President elicits and considers the advice of the leaders of all parties represented in the National Assembly before coming to a conclusion about his appointment. Obviously, that consultation is designed, therefore, to inform his decision.

This is borne out by both logic and precedent.

With regard to logic: To announce a candidate and then consult defeats the very purpose of consultation in the first place. It means the President has arrived at a conclusion prior to consulting and the process of consultation will have no effect on his decision – it would be a meaningless exercise. This, quite clearly, is not the intention of Section 174 (3). That section exists to ensure that the President – in an open, consultative and democratic manner – seek out and incorporate the considered opinion of all parties represented in a democratically elected Parliament, before arriving at a decision. Obviously, this is in the interest of best democratic practice.

With regard to precedent: For every other judicial appointment for which the Constitution requires the leaders of parties in the National Assembly to be consulted, since 1994, the Presidency has sought out the opinion of those parties prior to announcing a nominated candidate. This process was followed with regard to the candidates proposed for the Supreme Court of Appeals, earlier this year, and on every relevant occasion in the past.

Yesterday (6 August) the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported that President Zuma had nominated Constitutional Court Judge Sandile Ngcobo to replace Judge Pius Langa, who retires from the position of Chief Justice later this year.

The SAPA report stated that, in explaining his choice, President Zuma had said he had taken the decision “properly” and “objectively”. Importantly, it also reports the President as saying: “The fact of the matter is that I have appointed a judge that I believe is capable.”

This statement is unequivocal. Quite clearly, in President Zuma’s mind, by announcing Judge Sandile Ngcobo as his candidate, he had effectively made the appointment and had no intention of consulting before doing so, as the South African Constitution requires.

We can jointly confirm that none of us were consulted ahead of the President’s announcement yesterday.

On hearing the President’s announcement yesterday, the Democratic Alliance issued a statement setting out that the President was required by the Constitution to consult and that, as the DA had not yet been consulted, the Party was not prepared to comment.

This morning (7 August), at 9.10am, the Democratic Alliance received a facsimile (traditionally, the manner in which these matters are communicated) from the Presidency requesting our opinion, in terms of Section 174 (3) of the Constitution. Significantly, the facsimile is dated 5 August 2009. The DA’s records confirm no facsimile was sent on 5 August and that nothing else was received from the Presidency prior to today’s communication.

In other words, only after a statement was issued pointing out this fact that the Constitution required the Presidency to consult, did the Presidency send the relevant communication.

We can also confirm that the President has not consulted the Judicial Service Commission on this matter, as is required by the Constitution.

This is unconstitutional. If the point of consultation is to seek out opinion in order to inform one’s decision, it cannot be done after the fact. And it is absolutely apparent, both from President Zuma’s comments to the media and by the fact that no communication was received from the Presidency that he had made up his mind on this matter and considered Judge Ngcobo “appointed”, before he properly consulted, as required by the Constitution.

That the facsimile was backdated, suggests the Presidency now trying to rectify its mistake by consulting retroactively.

In light of this and the President’s failure to properly consult or act in the manner required by the Constitution, it is necessary for him to withdraw his statement and consult properly before arriving at a decision as to who his desired candidate is.

President Zuma has repeatedly given South Africa the assurance that he respects the Constitution, that he wishes to engage the opposition and that he is dedicated to upholding our institutions and ensuring best democratic practice. His attitude to this matter, however, suggests otherwise.

Issued by the Democratic Alliance, COPE and the Independent Democrats

STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE ANC FOR FAILING TO ATTEND A CRUCIAL PARLIAMENTARY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEETING, AND THE IMPACT ON JOB CREATION.

06 August 2009

The Congress of the People regards the absence of ANC MP’s at a scheduled parliamentary portfolio committee meeting as a display of flagrant disregard for their responsibility as governing party, and of parliament as an institution. The meeting therefore did not quorate, notwithstanding the fact that the meeting was duly called in terms of established procedure.

Only one member of the ANC arrived for a meeting of the Portfolio Committee where the Construction Industry Development Board members and officials had to present their strategic plan for the next five years. The impact of the financial crisis on job creation in the construction industry had to be assessed. The cancellation of the meeting means that the CIDB’s plans have to be put on hold.

The only other two members in attendance were COPE MP Paul Mnguni and a member of the DA, Mr Masango. A full delegation of the Public Works Department and the office of the Ministry of Public Works was also present.

It is widely accepted that Jacob Zuma’s aim of creating 500 000 new jobs by the end of the year is an ambitious goal at best, especially in the trough of the current financial crisis. For this target to even come close to being reached, it requires the conscientious commitment from all members of Parliament. The no-show by ANC members is tantamount to showing utter disdain for service, be it to ordinary people, or the executive. Furthermore, it shows that the ANC pays lip-service to political and financial accountability.

COPE believes this demonstrates the ANC’s lack of commitment to parliamentary oversight and value for money government. Not only did the cancellation of the meeting costs the tax payer thousands of rand of fruitless expenditure, it will no doubt have a knock-on effect on job opportunities in the construction sector beyond 2010.

For more information please contact Phillip Dexter on 082-453 4088 or Paul Mnguni 072 474 8778..

Statement on the President naming the Chief Justice designate, Judge Ngcobo

The Congress of the people is disturbed to learn of the President of the Republic naming Judge Ngcobo as the Chief Justice designate. While Ngcobo has a long legal career, the credentials and experience of the serving Deputy Chief Justice, Judge Moseneke, are impeccable. Judge Moseneke, a freedom fighter, has served time on Robben Island. He studied there and has demonstrated his ample skills and leadership working together with the current Chief Justice. COPE is there for concerned that what we have here is another political appointment, where the person best qualified for the job has been overlooked due to his independence and the fact that he has allegedly criticised an individual in the ruling party. Along with more recent appointments, this one establishes a trend that anyone who has criticised the President of the country will not hold any office in a government or independent institution. This trend leads only one way; downhill. We urge the President to reconsider this decision for the good of the country.

For further information please contact Phillip Dexter on 082-453408.

Press statement of the Congress Working Committee of the Congress of the People 3 August 2009

The CWC of COPE met today at its Headquarters in Johannesburg. The meeting discussed a number of reports, including finances, relationships with other political parties, the progress on building the party, the program for National Women’s Day and governance issues. The meeting agreed that progress was being made in terms of consolidating the organisation financially as well as in terms of the branch, regional and provincial structures.

Good progress has also been made with the youth and women’s structures, but there is till much work to be done in terms of building the party and getting ready to fight the 2011 local government elections. The recent policy workshop was acknowledged as a success and preparations for the policy conference of COPE are well underway. A report was received on the outcomes of the workshop that identifies the key policy issues. Branches, regions and provinces will discuss these important policy matters in preparation for the conference.

The CWC supported the comprehensive program for celebrating National Women’s Day on the 9th August prepared by the COPE Women’s Forum. COPE calls on all its members and the public in general to participate in celebrating this important day. Details of the program will be communicated to the public in due course.

On the recent press reports relating to the ongoing discussion between COPE and other political parties, the CWC agreed that:

These interactions are not new and began in November 2008 at the time of the National Convention.
COPE has been interacting with most of the political parties in the country.

These discussions have been very wide ranging and positive. The discussions have included identifying issues, values and principles that are common to the parties as well as those where cooperation between the parties on issues of national interest, particularly the problems and challenges our communities face, is desirable.

These talks are going to continue for as long as the parties see value in them.

No agreement has yet been reached on a common platform or on unifying the parties, but there is a keen interest from COPE to pursue all the matters on the table.

The next meeting of the CWC will take place on the 17 August 2009.

For further information please contact Phillip Dexter on 082-453 4088.

13 June 2009

Sir / Madam

Re: THE COSATU SECTION 77 NOTICE TO NEDLAC

The Congress of the People in Western Cape appreciates Cosatu’s concerns for “unity and cooperation both within the Western Cape as well as nationally.” What Cope does not understand is Cosatu intended meaning in saying it is seeking to “putting into place an alternative administration—under Nedlac—focusing on dedicated areas which will advance the interests of our people collectively.” Alternative administration of what? Cope tried to raise the question with Cosatu and was promised further elaboration on the matter in due time after the Nedlac meeting that will be convened at a later date.

Cope would like to state that it’ll not be party to any collaboration that seeks to remove from office a democratically elected government, like that of the Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape. Cope might not see eye with the DA governance in some issues, like the male dominated cabinet, but it does not feel this constitute any breach of fundamental law of governance. Cope believes in the rule of law based on the constitution of the country. Even though Cope feels the DA could have handled the matter better it recognizes that it is the DA’s prerogative, as democratically elected government, to put into positions of power whomever they feel best suited to the positions of government.

Kind regards
Mbulelo Ncedana
Cope Chairperson (Western Cape)

“The barrage of accusations, counter-accusations and insults between the DA’s Ms. Helen Zille and representatives of the ANC, including the party’s Youth League, does not bode well for our developing democracy and the dignity of political discourse in South Africa.” This warning of the leader of COPE in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Dr. Allan Boesak, follows in the wake of the recent public spat between the ruling party and the official opposition around the person of President Jacob Zuma.

Speaking from his office in Cape Town, Dr. Boesak cautioned both the DA and the ANC that conduct and outbursts of this nature were dangerously damaging to the fibre of a maturing and still fragile non-racial society. “What South Africa and her people do not need now is political discourse conducted at the level of personal attacks rather than responsible arguments that would benefit constructive political engagement and productive policy testing and –making. There is a vast and very important difference between vigorous debate and the petty viciousness that the country is now forced to endure,” Dr. Boesak said.

Commenting on the threats made by the ANC Youth League, Dr. Boesak stressed that there was absolutely no place nor need for such highly irresponsible language of violence in a country that takes pride in calling herself a democracy. “The South African nation deserves far more level headed and reflective political engagement, especially from mature politicians in leadership positions. It is needful to keep in mind that Mr. Zuma has been elected as President by the vast majority of voters through open and fair elections. Even if one dislikes him personally or does not agree with him politically, one must inculcate respect for the office which he holds.”

Dr. Boesak concluded that without this understanding of responsible citizenship the very foundations of the South African democracy will be eroded and the challenges of national cooperation and nation-building will not be met. “For the sake of our country’s moral fibre, I plead with ordinary South Africans not to blur the line between criticism and disrespect.”

by Mbulelo Ncedana

[Mbulelo Ncedana is the chairperson of COPE Western Province]

Many political analysts, opposition parties and commentators have expressed their strong objections to the NPA’s decision to drop charges against the President of the ANC, Jacob Zuma on the grounds of illegally intercepted tape recordings between the former bosses of the NPA Leonard McCarthy and Bulelani Ngcuka. I write to put my weight too behind these sentiments. The decision will do great harm to the integrity of the NPA, and will certainly inflict enormous damage on the ANC.

Many South Africans of goodwill are asking legitimate questions, like how did these tapes get into the hands of the Zuma’s defence? Why did the NPA not take them to the court to rule on their admissibility as evidence? Were there any breaches of state security leading to the tape recordings of the state being accessed by the accused? How did the state (the NPA) accept tapes illegally obtained from a state institution and decide in favour of the accused in his own case? Will such a precedent apply in exactly the same way in the future on less prominent cases?

The Acting Director, Adv Mokotedi Mpshe says in his media statement that the NPA had taken the tapes to NIA for authentication. To my mind, and certainly in the minds of many other law abiding citizens of our country, that ought to have been a secondary step. Surely if the NPA were too concerned about their credibility, the first and logical thing to do would have been to seek an urgent court date to determine the legality and acceptability of the tapes before deciding on their content. What purpose will it serve if NIA is only busy now with the investigation to determine any wrongdoing on the part of those responsible for handing these tapes to Zuma’s legal team.

By the NPA’s own admission, they remain convinced that their case against Zuma was and is still strong yet they deemed it prudent to decide to drop all his charges despite these glaring legal flaws. What bearing does the ulterior motive and evidence of tempering has on the court of law if the evidence of Mr. Zuma’s case is admissible and strong? Given these serious questions, we are left with no option but to surmise that Advocate Mpshe was probably subjected to immense political pressure, and that the decision taken was therefore not his decision but that of the ruling party.

Advocate Mpshe is a professional who has proved beyond any doubt that he is up to the challenge of heading an institution like the NPA with great integrity. However, the reality is that Adv Mpshe is a human being; and any human being can take only so much pressure. The fact that the leaking of the charges being dropped through Mo Shaik weeks before was not a mistake at all. It was part of a strategy to exert pressure on the NPA and gauge public opinion. I’m not sure why they didn’t foresee the fact that should the charges against Zuma be dropped without being tested in the court of law it means that in the public eye he’ll forever be guilty.

What we’ve just witnessed is nothing but the so called political solution of the type the tripartite alliance has been pressing for all along. They have finally won the battle but not the war. The sad part is that they’ve achieved it at a huge cost to the reputation of our country. We can only hope that voters will wake up to what is happening, and punish the ANC heavily on 22 April. The South African public is starting to see the true colours of the triapatite alliance. People will not forever vote for corruption nor give blanket mandate to the ANC to do more crime.

by KHAYALETHU KHAYA SEBASTIAN HAMANA

I recall reading something written by Peter Marais in the Cape Argus (3 April; 2009) entitled, “I follow ideologies that make sense”. With his usual chameleon-ability to adapt himself to his ever changing situation he was waxing hot about something that required a strained interpretation to realise he was trying to make himself into an ethical individual. I’ll not go to Marias’ warps and wefts, which I’m sure are clear to our readers.

Marais is constantly busy trying to find solutions that are consciously convenient for him (he’s now dangling on the ruling party’s operation Come Back Home). One was once of the opinion there was genuine lack of good grasp of political service, but one is now clear what kind of political animal Marias is.

Regardless what he says it is clear that Marais left COPE to join the ANC because he was disappointed with his allotted prospectus. Like Mlungisi Hlongwane he had to find justification for his deserting of COPE. Hlongwane said COPE is a Xhosa nostra. A Xhosa nostra that happens to have only one xhosa in its executive leadership. Marias justification was that he prefers to align himself to an ideology not personalities. He fails to mention which personalities are so dominant to overwhelm COPE ideology.

The stark reality is that COPE’s progressive ideology did not fit Marias because it prioritises ability above political antecedent. At least Marias was shrewd enough to understand he’d fit better with the ANC mixed bag where contradictory traits are the order of the day. After all feathers of the same bird flock together.

COPE too delouses as the country goes through Schopenhauer’s three stage happenings to all new truths. First it is ridiculed, then violently opposed, and then treated as self-evident. Remember what the leaders of COPE said at Sandton Convention Centre that momentous November day. Many ridiculed and called them cry wolfs. Now the truth, as we watch the charges against the current present of the ANC being dropped with no convincing argument, is becoming self-evident. Tell us which stage we are at now?

(Khaya is a member of cope’s policy and content) he writes in his personal capacity.)

By Gert Witbooi

The Congress of the People (COPE) is slowly starting to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in wards 32 and 29; and is poised to be the surprise package come 22 April.

Ward 32 consists of (the eastern) part of Atlantis, an informal settlement Witsand and some farms in the adjacent Saxonwold community. Ward 29 consists of (the western) part of Atlantis, Pella and Mamre. The latter two were Moravian Church Missionary Stations.

On Sunday 29 March, Western Cape Premier Candidate Dr Allan Boesak visited the town, starting with a church service in Mamre in the morning; a visit to a farm community; door-to-door canvassing of some homes; and ending the day with a public meeting in the afternoon attended by about 300 people. He was accompanied by Hennie Smith (who plays the character Bertie in the soapie Egoli), Nick Koornhof and Avril Harding.

The attendance figure may not be what we have hoped for, but is nevertheless significant given that we did not have any posters to advertise the meeting, and could print very few pamphlets. We had a team of twelve members that visited and distributed pamphlets in about 300 homes.

Cope has attracted widespread support from the community, including from among teachers, professionals and workers. The first members meeting in January this year was attended by 23 members. A month later 52 members attended.

Today we have a total registered membership of almost 500. The challenge, though, is to convert the signed up members into paid-up members (less than 50 are paid-up), and build a strong organizational base, with a credible election machinery that can challenge for power.

Although we do not have access to the kind of resources other parties have, we were able to raise funds for an election office and some equipment. We have an Interim Executive structure, and it consists of former members of various political parties.

In the space of only two months, though, COPE distributed pamphlets and canvassed door-to-door in about 600 homes in both Mamre and Atlantis, as well as at four shopping complexes, making contact with between 5 and 10,000 voters. We have on display 120 posters in strategic areas. Very prominent and respect members of the community also publicly endorsed COPE in a local newspaper advert.

At the public meeting on Sunday, members of the community complained about lack of housing in Mamre, school fees, crime and opportunities for young people. Dr Boesak noted that the current government has lost its focus and is not giving enough attention to the community.

Atlantis has been a lot in the news lately because of massive retrenchments from various factories, and most recently because of the drug turf war and gang violence. Four people have been shot dead because of what police believe to be gang-related activities.

A major source of embarrassment for young people is the DA’s intention to close down a Youth Service Centre located in the Dura Flats, and convert it into a drug rehabilitation centre. The centre is in the middle of two major drug dens. Local youth organizations feel the rehabilitation centre should be located outside of the town.

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COPE is indeed participating in two by-elections in Cape Town under its own banner. On Wednesday, when the elections will take place, COPE will be just 99 days old. Even so, in all of the municipal elections that have taken place so far, COPE has won several seats and has been able to get 30% electoral support, on average, with minimal resources. This is consistent with our province wide direct surveys which show that three out of ten people support COPE. In Ward 2, which is out and out DA territory, COPE will get an opportunity to gauge how the mainly white community will be responding to the party’s appeal to South Africans to join with it to create a truly united and non-racial South Africa. In Ward 79 COPE will test its strength relative to the DA, ID and the ANC in a mainly coloured community. The results of these elections will be instructive but they cannot be extrapolated to the provincial and national elections as different imperatives will apply there.

Farouk Cassim
COPE PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS MANAGER

by Charlotte Luzuka

When Obama won the 2008 US elections on 4 November 2008, I was elated. Not because I believed he would bring about miracles for Africa, not because he is black, but because he represented proof that when people act, change can happen.

A friend of mine responded to a comment that it was pointless to register and vote when it was inevitable that the ANC would win the 2009 South African elections, by quoting “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing”. Now she was not inferring that the ANC is evil, however what she was inferring is that change can only occur through action. And this is what the Democrats win in the US represented. Change through action.

I recently had a conversation with a lady who stated that she would not vote in the next elections as she and her father felt that there was no party that represented their beliefs, which are entrenched in their religion.

Now I have to admit that I am highly disappointed whenever I hear of someone not voting because it feels like they are taking for granted the fact that they now have a right to vote and a right to enact change in their government, nationally and provincially, in their municipality and in their ward.

In South Africa from 1910 until 1930 only white men where allowed to vote in three provinces and a restricted number of black and coloured men were allowed to vote in the Cape Province. In 1930, white women were given a right to vote, however black men were subsequently disempowered to vote in 1939.

When the National Party came into power in 1948, coloured males were struck off the voters roll. After a referendum in 1983, limited political influence was given to the coloured and Indian population and only after the 1992 referendum that ended the apartheid regime, where black people allowed to vote and coloured and Indians given more political freedom.
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