South Africa

New political party launched to challenge ANC

Article published on the 2008-12-16 Latest update 2008-12-16 15:55 TU

Lekota waves to delegates at the conference
(Credit: Reuters)

Dissidents from South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) formed their new party, Congress of the People (Cope) at their official launch in Bloemfontein. Former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota was named as the president in front of 4,000 delegates. The new party hopes to shake up South Africa's political landscape, which has been dominated by the ANC since the end of Apartheid.

"Ours shall be a truly non-racial party that will provide a true home to all South Africans, irrespective of race, class or gender," said Lekota as he addressed delegates.

The former leader of South Africa's Gauteng province and a one-time trade union leader Mbhazima Shilowa was named as Lekota's deputy, while Lynda Odendaal was named as Second Deputy President.

Lekota was defence minister under ANC rule from 1999 to 2008 when he quit along with others when the party ousted then-South African president and party head Thabo Mbeki.

During Apartheid, Lekota was also imprisoned on Robben Island along with a number of ANC members, including Nelson Mandela.

The party's launch came at the end of a two-day conference that handled the issues of party policy, campaign strategy, and leadership, as well as adopting a constitution.

Lakota announced that the Cope party plans to tackle crime, poverty and unemployment.

The Cope party was formed from disgruntled ANC members and high-ranking officials who did not agree when the ANC ousted then-South African president and party head Thabo Mbeki.

Lekota was defence minister under ANC rule from 1999 to 2008 when he quit along with others in protest at Mbeki's removal.

During Apartheid, Lekota was also imprisoned on Robben Island along with a number of ANC members, including Nelson Mandela.

The Cope party held its rally on Tuesday, while the ANC will hold a parallel gathering in Bloemfontein. Bloemfontein was the birthplace of the ANC in 1912.

Meanwhile, ANC leader Jacob Zuma admitted Tuesday that South Africa's ruling party had made mistakes.

Zuma, who was addressing veterans from the ANC's former military wing during the fight against apartheid rule, said ANC commited errors in the way it addressed the people's concerns over social services and governance.