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New South Africa party to launch New South Africa party to launch
(about 1 hour later)
A new political party is being formally launched in South Africa, made up largely of defectors from the governing African National Congress. A new political party expected to pose the first serious opposition to the ruling African National Congress is formally launching in South Africa.
The Congress of the People, or Cope, poses the first serious opposition challenge in South Africa after 14 years of government by the ANC. The Congress of the People, or Cope, is made up largely of defectors from the ANC, which has been in power continuously for 14 years.
It says it will run against the ANC in national elections next year. The party says it will run against the ANC in national elections next year.
Cope emerged after Thabo Mbeki left the presidency in September amid a power struggle with ANC leader Jacob Zuma.Cope emerged after Thabo Mbeki left the presidency in September amid a power struggle with ANC leader Jacob Zuma.
Many supporters of the new party were unhappy at the way in which Mr Mbeki was forced to step down.Many supporters of the new party were unhappy at the way in which Mr Mbeki was forced to step down.
The BBC's Peter Biles reports from Bloemfontein, where the new party is being launched, that delegates have been feverishly debating the event.The BBC's Peter Biles reports from Bloemfontein, where the new party is being launched, that delegates have been feverishly debating the event.
They see it as a key moment that signals the growth and development of South Africa's young democracy, he says.They see it as a key moment that signals the growth and development of South Africa's young democracy, he says.
Mr Zuma is also in Bloemfontein on Tuesday for a party rally widely seen as an attempt to divert attention from the launch of Cope.
Naming disputeNaming dispute
Cope is led by former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota, who on Monday ruled out any reconciliation with the ANC.Cope is led by former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota, who on Monday ruled out any reconciliation with the ANC.
"The ANC more than anybody else should know that there is no possibility of us going back, we are now looking forward to the elections," he said."The ANC more than anybody else should know that there is no possibility of us going back, we are now looking forward to the elections," he said.
The party's launch follows a legal argument over the name to be used by the breakaway party. The breakaway party's formation has been marked by a lengthy and problematic search for a name. CONTESTED NAMES 1: South African National Congress, challenged by ANC as too similar to its name2: South African Democratic Congress, already registered by another party3: Congress of the People, refers to an event when the ANC's Freedom Charter was signed class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7706366.stm">Profile: Mosiuoa Lekota
The ANC has laid claim to the name Congress of the People, which was a historic, ANC-sponsored event. The ANC has laid claim to the Congress of the People, since it was the name used for a historic, ANC-sponsored event in 1955.
But the High Court ruled earlier this month that the new party could use the name.But the High Court ruled earlier this month that the new party could use the name.
Cope was already the party's third choice name. Cope was already the party's third choice.
Its first choice - South African National Congress - was challenged by the ANC, saying it was too similar to its own name.Its first choice - South African National Congress - was challenged by the ANC, saying it was too similar to its own name.
Their second choice - South African Democratic Congress - was already registered as a party.Their second choice - South African Democratic Congress - was already registered as a party.
In its first electoral test earlier this month, the ANC dissidents won 10 of 27 wards in the Western Cape - the province where the ANC has always been least popular.In its first electoral test earlier this month, the ANC dissidents won 10 of 27 wards in the Western Cape - the province where the ANC has always been least popular.
The Cope members had to stand as independent candidates because of the challenge to the name of the party. The Cope members had to stand as independent candidates because of the dispute over the party's name.
Our correspondent says the challenge for the new party is to distance itself from Mr Mbeki, and not appear like a group of embittered losers from last year's ANC national conference in Polokwane.Our correspondent says the challenge for the new party is to distance itself from Mr Mbeki, and not appear like a group of embittered losers from last year's ANC national conference in Polokwane.
It was at Polokwane that Mr Mbeki was defeated by Jacob Zuma in the contest for the leadership of the ruling party.It was at Polokwane that Mr Mbeki was defeated by Jacob Zuma in the contest for the leadership of the ruling party.