Cope 'disintegrating'
by Tshepo Matjila
2009-07-09 14:12
I am bit disappointed that the once high-flying Congress of the People is disintegrating in a nasty fashion. Cope, once a party that threatened current ANC brigades, is now teetering on the brink of political abyss.
Why am I saying this?
This week has seen a spillage of what has been a palpable battle within exposed fully for all to see. One of their once prominent leaders, Simon Grindrod (himself a defector from ID), has written a scathing attack on the leadership collective of Cope and points to a deepening internal strife where there is constant cajoling for positions of influence, backstabbing and what he terms a "great fraud" indictment on the people of South Africa by Cope's leadership.
All of us are perplexed and repulsed at this new development as Cope, although not a political choice for some of us, represented a new "hope" for many democrats in South Africa who wanted an alternative to the ANC. The ANC, itself a powerful cult, gave birth to Cope in the summer of last year after internal power struggles. Many South Africans were jubilant that a once traditional black party with massive support was splitting into many formations.
Cope came at the right time and gave hope to a lot of people that indeed South Africa could deepen its democracy without bloodshed or the threat of an all out civil war. I appreciate that for democracy to work; an effective and robust opposition is the only answer. The DA, bless their souls, is playing a better role but in its current configuration is not primed for success.
The news from Simon Grindrod, later corroborated by another Cope resignee in Lynda Odendaal, that a "great fraud" has been perpetuated by Cope leaders on the millions of South Africans who voted for it in the recent National & Provincial elections leaves a collective sour taste in a lot of people.
Why do the electorates keep getting short-changed by these unscrupulous politicians?
Clearly perturbed by all these shenanigans, Grindrod goes on further to lambaste the "culture of denialism" within the ranks of Cope whereby issues raised by constituencies are not only denied but not entertained. Grindrod continues to say that Cope's agenda is set by people outside the party who continue to entrench ANC agendas within. The other iffy point is the reverence of Thabo Mbeki within Cope, as the leaders desperate for power quotes a man who distanced himself from it.
I am worried, not because I dislike Cope, but because such kinds of developments are what keep African politics in the doldrums and entrenches the culture of "single-party states". Promising political parties form to challenge incumbent ones promising reforms and changes in this and that amid much media and people fare only to fall flat on their belly a short while after. Party leaders go to parliament after the elections and that is the end of story. The electorate? Forgotten!
The next thing you know - they get NNP'ed (merged into the ruling party) - in what has famously been termed "changing things from within". Ask Dr Buthelezi (IFP), Dr Mangena (Azapo), Dr Mulder(VF) and Mr Van Schalkwyk (NNP- defunct) - they know this phenomenon better!
South Africa should get disgusted with these people because due to them this country would never experience the essence of true democracy: accountability, responsibility and a responsive government. Our parties continue to falter due to political avarice and the quest for power and influence. Who really loses? Again the electorates!
To Cope I say: Remove Mosioua Lekota if you want to, but know that would be the last thing you do as we are going to remove you as well from government!
"Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason." - Author Unknown.
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