COPE's credibility deficit

[NameOfBeast]

It is hard not to feel ambivalent about the Congress of the People. The breakaway has to succeed (to some degree) if South Africa is to make the transition to a more balanced and responsive democracy. Yet another massive election victory for the ANC is likely to restore its overweening power and authority, and knock the stuffing out of civil society. As Blade Nzimande and Jeremy Cronin have correctly noted such a victory for the ruling party will leave the media, for one, "flatfooted and humiliated." In the short term at least COPE is the only party in a position to draw substantial black South African support away from the ANC, and thereby check a return to one-party dominance and all its attendant evils.

Yet despite the undoubted importance of COPE to democratic consolidation in South Africa, and its stated commitment to many laudable principles, it is something of a struggle to keep continually encroaching doubts at bay. COPE may not just be a party of disaffected Mbeki-ites. But it draws a significant part of its leadership from the losing faction at Polokwane, and it remains inspired by and loyal to the recalled former president.

In this regard, the manifesto makes much of pursuing Mbeki's signature NEPAD project, but makes no mention of the crisis in Zimbabwe. It seems that the new party has not completely extricated itself from the AIDS quackery of the Mbeki-era either. Though not opposed to anti-retroviral treatment the manifesto says COPE will also "promote the use of natural medicines and indigenous knowledge systems and increase the recognition of traditional healers."

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=115539&sn=Detail

 

[semiautomatix]

I agree that regardless of COPE's manifesto and promises, just the mere fact that they can take away a decent size portion of the black vote from the ANC is reason enough for them to exist. Keeping a balance in parliament where the ANC no longer holds the 2/3 majority is of the utmost importance in this election.

 

[EtienneK]

I agree that regardless of COPE's manifesto and promises, just the mere fact that they can take away a decent size portion of the black vote from the ANC is reason enough for them to exist. Keeping a balance in parliament where the ANC no longer holds the 2/3 majority is of the utmost importance in this election.

+1 Agreed.

 

[Blaze786]

I am just waiting for the day when ANC no longer holds this country back!

 

[R13...]

i don't believe in COPE, but will gladly vote for them to dampen the Association of Nepotists & Cronies arrogance...

 

[Guest 20221009]

I am all for the diluting of the ANC controlled parliament.. we cant have that! We can not afford to have them run everything into the ground. And for that, we vote!

The good this is that people that wanted nothing to do with politics are now raring to cast their ballots. Maybe Malema's bile and the ANC's leftist moves were all the right reasons South Africans needed to forsake the apathy..

After missing the last elections, I am apathetic no more and I will see you at the polls

 

[Nod]

I'm more worried about the ANC supporting parties/organizations after the election if they lose any major support. Personally, I think this coming election will be the most important since '94.

 

[blunomore]

But it draws a significant part of its leadership from the losing faction at Polokwane, and it remains inspired by and loyal to the recalled former president.

Is this a fact or a presumption and if so, based on what? I do not think they have ever mentioned Mbeki's name once.

 

[Guest 20221009]

. Personally, I think this coming election will be the most important since '94.

+1000

At least its got the nation talking, we got the crazy revolutionaries on the one side and we got sober people from all group all fired up to make history.. interesting times ahead of us

 

[Arthur]

Sadly, COPE = ANC Classic.
New ANC = SACP+COSATU+UsefulIdiots.

 

[JungleBoy]

Is this a fact or a presumption and if so, based on what? I do not think they have ever mentioned Mbeki's name once.

Well what do you think made Shilowa leave his position as premier? He said, it was in solidarity with his president.

 

[Mila]

Did someone read the ANC manifesto?

It's leagal and you can not be prosecuted for corruption.... Hell i think it's time i screw a few of our big shots out off millions, what they gonna do?

 

[Alan]

Sadly, COPE = ANC Classic.
New ANC = SACP+COSATU+UsefulIdiots.

There's still a few useful idiots backing the ANC nowadays

As far as I'm concerned COPE hasn't a drop of credibility. Anybody who opposed Mbeki and his policies but now backs COPE needs his head checked

The only positive about COPE is they at least offer some form of opposition to the ANC. Still it's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place

 

[Slooth]

Anyone aligned with SACP and COSATU has me scared, they're all about policies eroding the middle class to distrubute to the poor and to add to the wealth of the unions.

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

There's still a few useful idiots backing the ANC nowadays

As far as I'm concerned COPE hasn't a drop of credibility. Anybody who opposed Mbeki and his policies but now backs COPE needs his head checked

The only positive about COPE is they at least offer some form of opposition to the ANC. Still it's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place

One of my more liberal friends said COPE is SA's "Obama moment" . He obviously has no idea that COPE is just the ANC in a new disguise.