COPE LOCAL COUNCIL KINGMAKERS IN THE WESTERN CAPE

OPT FOR SHILOWA'S LEADERSHIP ON COALITIONS

Although the COPE under the leadership of president Mbhazima Shilowa could not participate as a party in the recent local government elections following Patrick Lekota's political frolics and court actions, new party councillors in the Western Cape have moved swiftly to affirm the Heartfelt leadership.

In a move that has once again overwhelmingly demonstrated vote of no confidence in Lekota's version of COPE, party councillors in the Western Cape have rejected Lekota overtures and sought the party guidance on the formation of coalitions in the province.

COPE national leadership met yesterday and deliberated on coalitions prospects following a request from the province. On March 25 this year the legitimate COPE leadership took a decision not to participate in the elections just two hours before the closing time after the Western Cape High Court held the party legal contest in abeyance and referred all matters to its branch in South Gauteng. 

Subsequently, it became clear that the message reached some of its branches after they had already submitted. At local level most of the party structures used their discretion went ahead with the contest as prospects of success seemed favourable.

We believe that cooperation with other political parties can only function and be effectively realised when there's shared values, vision and commitment. These must always be the foundation for cooperation. When this shared foundation is present, the diversity in background, strategy implementation, management, resources and skills will serve to further the shared vision and the country general well. This must be done in line with the merits of each case and the interests of the people, particular the local inhabitants of a local municipality.

Parties like to claim noble values as the vision, but the true test of a party's commitment and ability to deliver on its promises only becomes clear in the implementation of its stated objectives. As such the true measure of cooperation between parties can only be tested through tangible projects and specific joint programme of cooperation.

Therefore an agreement between parties is fundamental on a shared vision of which the Freedom Charter forms the basis of such a vision for Cope. Furthermore, the following core values of COPE must be agreed upon as a premise for cooperation: Respect; Honesty; Integrity; Ubuntu; Transparency; Solidarity, Independence and Non-racialism.

Stated objectives with regard to cooperation are a key to success for the implementation of a comprehensive service delivery plan. Thus the following objectives become fundamental:

• Reprioritization of the Budget to have a bias towards the poor 

• Comprehensive Anti - Corruption plan

• Giving content to a plan of Batho Pele/Ubuntu (Putting People first) at levels of the Municipality.

• Enhance participatory democracy that includes all communities, black and white with special attention to the poor.

• Comprehensive Integrated Development Plan (IDP) in partnership with people.

• An effective, honest and respectful administration with periodic evaluations of Management and structure.

• After the reprioritization of the budget the implementation of a Service Delivery Implementation Plan is of outmost importance and critical, based on short, medium and long term objectives as identified by the community and for the community in line with their needs and priorities.

COPE OPTS FOR A TIME TESTED PARTNER

Although COPE still has serious reservations on the current character of the ruling party, there's no doubt that its policies and commitment to the transformation project still stand out in relation to other political parties.

Our belief in affirmative action, social and economic transformation is unwavering.  In choosing our social partners we can never dishonour the course of freedom and any prospective partner must demonstrate that they have the credentials and have stood the test of time infighting for transformation. 

We have, therefore, advised our councillors to side with the ANC under the circumstances. We will constantly monitor this relationship and ensure that it is to the benefit of the people. Thus, COPE has agreed to accept a mayoral position in Hessequa, mayoral committee seat in Cederburg and will become a speaker in Laingsburg Municipalities respectively.  

Our people will always demonstrate to everyone who their true leaders are and COPE, on behalf of its president and loyal membership, will fight for the legal recognition of the Heartfelt leadership. Victory is certain as our people continue to speak and affirm its rightful legitimate leadership. Today it is a year since Lekota dragged the party to the courts but we shall continue to fight for our organisation.

The party is in discussion with other councillors throughout the country who have also sought the guidance of the legitimate leadership of the party. Our power remains with the people and our legitimacy is not in doubt.

Statement issued by Sipho Ngwema on behalf of Mluleki George, acting president of COPE, May 26 2011

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