On 24th January, South Africa's new political party COPE - "Congress of the People" has published its manifesto. COPE sees itself as a democratic alternative to the ANC, which lost its reputation through corruption and abuse of power. The new frontrunners are the former minister of defense, Mosiua Lekota, and the ex-premier of Gauteng, Mbhazima Shilowa. Thabo Mbeki, the ousted former president of South Africa, has not (yet?) explicitly joined ranks with the new party. He is, however, strongly criticising the personality cult of ANC leader Jacob Zuma. Zuma, who was taken to court for rape already and got away, will still have to stand trial on charges of corruption.
Since the founding of the new party, the ANC is experiencing an unprecedented wave of members leaving the party. Quite a few prominent "comrades" are leaving their traditional political home to join COPE. Things could get tight for Zuma and his buddies, because the new party keeps on gaining ground particularly amongst younger black and coloured voters, who don't feel indebted to the ANC's proud history from the times of the struggle against apartheid any longer. For many a white South African, COPE is also the new beacon of hope. Many have left their country over the last few years, disappointed and worried by irrationality and racism in the economic life, corruption, constantly rising crime levels and the frightening prospect of one day being governed by the candidate, Jacob Zuma. The fear is that the country might take the same route to disastre as so many African countries, especially the desolate neighbour Zimbabwe.
Magazines and Newspapers
Independent Online Consortium of several big newspapers like Cape Argus, Cape Times, The Star a. o. Very informative website.
Mail & Guardian Once the left-wing paper in South Africa. Today moderate and critical. Very informative website.
Die Burger The biggest newspaper in Afrikaans language. Very informative website.
COPE wants to be a party for all South Africans irrespective of their race. COPE gives itself a democratic, constitutional, modern, open and resolute appearance. They are not afraid of attacking Zuma head-on. Caricatures depict him as a rapist of justice and the Stalin of South Africa. Zuma's ANC makes use of every opportunity to prevent the new party from executing their right to freely assemble and campaign. Gatherings of COPE members are being terrorised and the speakers shouted down. Access to the TV stations, which has de facto become a government domain, is basically impossible.
So, let's hope for COPE. The next presidential elections, presumably in April 2009, will definitely be exiting. South Africa stands a real chance.
