Congress of the People (Cope) president Mosiuoa Lekota has embarked on a campaign to build branches for his party countrywide in preparation for the 2011 local government elections.
Speaking to journalists during a Cope campaign on Tuesday, ahead of four by-elections in Durban, Lekota said he had began working with party leaders to build branches in all nine provinces.
Cope leaders did not have time to do so when the party was formed.
”When Cope was formed we did not have enough time to form branches because we had to prepare for the elections. We want to set up branches everywhere.”
Lekota said building an organisation was a full-time job. He had decided not to go to Parliament because he wanted to build Cope structures ”on the ground”.
Cope performed badly in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal during the April general elections. The party hoped that by building branches, it would be able to win voters from other parties.
Parties such as the African National Congress had strong branches in good standing.
Lekota refused to comment about reported tensions among national Cope leaders, saying he had spoken about the matter several times.
”I have commented on this matter and I would like to move on.”
Lekota also used his campaign trail to urge people to help Cope leaders form branches.
”I am here to give support to our candidate, but I also use the opportunity to talk to people about Cope.”
During his campaign in Durban, Lekota visited Effingham, Cato Crest and Briadene, cajoling residents to vote for his party.
Six by-elections would be held in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday. Two others would be held in the Midlands area, the Independent Electoral Commission said. — Sapa