Elections 2014: Congress of the People

The Congress of the People was founded in 2008 by former ANC members Mosiuoa Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa and Mluleki George.

It did well in its first election (2009) by finishing third with 1,3 million votes.

Cope announced their election manifesto on 9 March in Bloemfontein with 12 000 supporters present.

The party has lost support in the past few years due to infighting and factionalism. Lekota and Shilowa still are embroiled in a bitter legal battle over the issue of leadership.

Among its priorities in it’s election manifesto it highlights transparent governance, the protection of “Chapter nine” institutions and an accountable state.

Lekota was also very critical of the government and said that Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) Commander in Chief, Julius Maleme was the “innocent victim of the ANC’s corruption”. Like may other parties, Lekota said that South Africa’s progress stopped when President Tabo Mbeki left office. He also told the people that due to corruption the country is R1 trillion in debt, but that the ANC government can not fulfil their promises and therefore the nation will have to work hard to clear the debt and recover it from the guilty.

For the full story and more about the manifesto, read next week’s edition of the Record.