REFILWE MEKOA
Cope says they have learned their lessons, through a lot and things are worse than in 2008 when the political party was established.
Cope’s newly elected national chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi, says looking back they realise that they have been scorned, humiliated and hurt, but they are still standing firm. He says in 2008 there was a huge influx and enthusiasm of many people joining the party.
Dikgetsi was elected last weekend during the party’s national congress attended by 700 Cope delegates in Boksburg. He says many who joined the party when it was formed in Bloemfontein were bogus people with bad intentions.
“We are very proud that we could soldier on, some people got tired in the process and went back to other political parties. Many members of Cope stood with the party, mandate and our vision,” he says.
Dikgetsi says in 2012 they launched a renewable programme of valid members. He says they are the only political party where members can join online and the membership is linked with the Independent Electorate Commission (IEC) to ensure they’re registered to vote.
“The future looks very bright for this party; we are going to build a modern political party, which will be the envy of many people. I know it seems unreal, just like it was during the problems we had between 2008 up until the eve of the congress. People wrote us off, but here we are,” says Dikgetsi.
Cope will launch its 2014 manifesto towards the end of February or beginning of March.
