The two-year-old New Vision Party (NVP) on Saturday announced its merger with the Congress of the People (Cope).
”I’m sure some of its members may decide to go to other parties but 90% of NVP members are coming to join us,” Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota told a media briefing in Pretoria.
”We are thrilled and are making room for our new comrades,” Lekota told the South African Press Association in a telephone interview shortly after launching two new party branches in Randfontein.
He said the partnership should serve as a message to other political parties that working together was key in the political landscape for change.
”Cope is now a stronger party as the voice of opposition is strong. We are growing into a very effective opposition,” he said. Earlier in the day, Lekota and NVP leader Ike Kekana joined hands to make their announcement.
The NVP was formed during a floor-crossing period in September 2007 by among others, Kekana, who is a former leader of the United Independent Front, which is a breakaway party from the United Democratic Movement.
Lekota said both parties would now look at ”editing and auditing” all liabilities during the merger.
He was not sure what their new membership stood at on Saturday but said he would look into it.
”Before the elections in April, people said Cope would be a one day wonder. But we have shown them we are growing and setting up structures.”
Lekota was at the Zenzele informal settlement in Randfontein after midday on Saturday launching two new branches.
”When Cope was formed we had a short time to reach the people and were unable to do so before the election.
”I spoke to the people in the settlement today and many said they did not get the message on time,” Lekota said.
He felt that Cope was receiving more support post-election, particularly in South Africa’s destitute communities.
”At this level with this support from the poorest of communities, it’s an indication of our increasing support as people begin to see us as the new hope,” he continued.
Lekota also spoke briefly about the visit by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
”I hoped that she would be able to make time in her schedule to have a word with us.
”We definitely wanted to talk to her,” he said. – Sapa