The Congress of the People (COPE), led by Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota, launched it’s 2019 election manifesto in East London on Saturday.
Proceedings got off to a slow and stumbling start at the Oriental Theatre, as busses transporting supporters to the launch were delayed. While those in attendance danced and sang with fervour, the large gaps in the pews typified COPE’s ailing political appeal. The turnout to the manifesto launch, especially in the beginning, was dismal.
It’s been a particularly tumultuous decade for COPE – no political party has gained and lost so much support in such a short space of time. Founded in 2008 by former African National Congress (ANC) members Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa and Mluleki George – in the wake of former president Thabo Mbeki’s contentious resignation – COPE’s prospects looked promising.
Factional infighting within the ANC, epitomized by the power struggle between Jacob Zuma and Mbeki, left
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