Image of

THE newly-formed Congress of the People (Cope) wants to govern the Eastern Cape after next year’s elections.

This bold statement was made by former Premier Nosimo Balindlela and former Social Development Sam Kwelita earlier this week.

Kwelita said political parties were formed with the intention to contest political power and Cope was no different as they did not form it to be an opposition to the ANC.

This sentiment was also echoed by provincial Cope spokesperson Nkosifikile Gqomo, who added that they believed their organisation stood a good chance to be the next government in the province.

“(The) ANC is weak in the province now that we have left. It is in the weakest position,” Gqomo said.

This comes amid calls by both the ANC Women’s and Youth leagues for the dissolution of the provincial leadership as they believed that some of its members were working for Cope.

Two of the province’s regions – Amathole and Nelson Mandela Metro – are now being led by regional task teams.

Gqomo said part of their strategy was to take more members from the ANC. “You will be surprised when we take away their experienced leaders to campaign for us.”

Gqomo said his party would exploit the ruling party’s weaknesses to woo votes and would soon be embarking on a door-to-door campaign in all parts of the province to canvass people from across the political spectrum.

Last week the leaders of Cope were canvassing in a number of the province’s towns.

But ANC provincial secretary Siphatho Handi dismissed Cope’s dreams of being the next government in the Eastern Cape as just wishful thinking.

“We are not worried. They can dream on,” he said. - By MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Senior Political Correspondent