There are now more than 21,6-million South Africans on the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) voters’ roll, with more than 1,6-million new voters registering last weekend. This, said the IEC this week, was its most successful voters’ drive since 2000.
Why are South Africans registering in their droves? Is it Barack Obama? Or is it the African National Congress (ANC) breakaway party, variously known as Shikota, COP, or is that Cope?
The ANC has cried foul over the latest incarnation, pointing to the Congress of the People in Kliptown in 1955 where the Freedom Charter was adopted.
“The ANC will therefore oppose any attempt by any persons to appropriate the political heritage of the ANC to advance their own political ambitions,” it said this week.
This is legitimate politicking. After all, every day the parent party can keep a lid on its upstarts is another day denying them the opportunity to really open their bid for next year’s elections. They dare not even start printing their posters or designing their website.
Both sides are intractable, with COP vowing to use the name and the ANC promising to oppose this.
Important as the issue is, it’s merely noise. The electorate is going to need to see a lot more policy statements before it’s persuaded.
| FULL SPEED AHEAD |
NOT SO FAST |
Miriam Makeba
‘Mama Africa’ died on Sunday after a concert in Italy. A hero to many, Makeba was one of Africa’s best-known singers, but was also widely embraced for speaking out against apartheid. Nelson Mandela described her as “a mother to our struggle and to the young nation of ours”. She will be missed |
 SADC
Where are the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) teeth? SADC was criticised this week for being ineffective in helping unravel the disagreements clouding the Zimbabwe power-sharing deal. For weeks now, the body has been trying to break the impasse over the deal. How much longer will the status quo remain? |
Most-read stories
November 6 to November 12
1. SA mourns Makeba, musical ‘mother’ of the nation
Nelson Mandela praised Miriam Makeba as a “mother” of modern South Africa, who gave voice to the anti-apartheid struggle, as tributes poured in on Monday for the legendary singer.
2. Zuma, the man behind Shikota
The Shikota movement exists only because of one man: African National Congress president Jacob Zuma. Remove him from the equation and the new party will not get out of the starting blocks.
3. COP hits the campaign trail
Four provinces are gearing up for possible Congress of the People (COP) governments after a week of campaigning by leaders of the new party aimed at wooing voters and members. The Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape and North West are giving early indications that COP is gaining enough support to become the ruling party, probably in coalition.
4. Miriam Makeba dies in Italy
South African singer Miriam Makeba, “one of the greatest songstresses of our time”, died on Sunday night after collapsing as she left the stage following a performance in Italy, the foreign minister said on Monday.
5. Shakers in Shikota
Everybody knows about Mosiuoa Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa and Mluleki George. But who are the other leading lights in the Shikota movement?
6. Ginwala ‘clears’ Vusi Pikoli
Suspended National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Vusi Pikoli is expected to have his name cleared by the Ginwala commission of inquiry, which is also understood to have recommended that he be reinstated.
7. MDC rejects SADC demands
Southern African leaders said on Sunday that Zimbabwe’s political rivals must split the leadership of a key ministry, a move rejected by the opposition in a further sign that power-sharing talks were unravelling.
8. ANC denies delaying its lists
The ANC has rejected claims that it is delaying its list process to avoid mass resignations by supporters of former president Thabo Mbeki.
9. Meet the COP: Dissidents finally settle on party name
A leader of the African National Congress breakaway movement, former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, on Thursday unveiled the name of the new party to be formed.
10. ANC takes issue with COP over name
The African National Congress (ANC) will oppose the name of a breakaway party, the Congress of the People, led by former ANC chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.