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New South African party launches New South African party launches
(11 minutes later)
A new political party expected to pose the first serious opposition to the ruling African National Congress is formally launching in South Africa.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, is made up largely of defectors from the ANC, which has been in power continuously for 14 years.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.
The party says it will run against the ANC in national elections next year. On Tuesday it named ex-Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota as its president.
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 locked in feverish political debates.The BBC's Peter Biles reports from Bloemfontein, where the new party is being launched, that delegates have been locked in feverish political debates.
They see the launch as a key moment that signals the growth and development of South Africa's young democracy, he says.They see the launch 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.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
On Tuesday Cope confirmed former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota as its president. As it confirmed Mr Lekota as its leader on Tuesday, Cope named the former premier of Gauteng province, Mbhazima Shilowa, as its first deputy president.
The former premier of Gauteng province, Mbhazima Shilowa, was named as its first deputy president.
The party also unveiled its latest high profile supporter, the anti-apartheid activist and cleric Allan Boesak.The party also unveiled its latest high profile supporter, the anti-apartheid activist and cleric Allan Boesak.
Mr Boesak was given a rapturous welcome by Cope supporters, before telling them that the tide had turned against the ANC.Mr Boesak was given a rapturous welcome by Cope supporters, before telling them that the tide had turned against the ANC.
Mr Lekota has ruled out any reconciliation with the ANC. 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 New party to challenge ANC ruleProfile: Mosiuoa LekotaMr Lekota has ruled out any reconciliation with the ANC. 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 New party to challenge ANC ruleProfile: Mosiuoa Lekota
"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 on the eve of the party launch."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 on the eve of the party launch.
The breakaway party's formation has been marked by a lengthy and problematic search for a name.The breakaway party's formation has been marked by a lengthy and problematic search for a name.
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.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.Cope was already the party's third choice.
Its first choice - South African National Congress - was challenged by the ANC, which said it was too similar to its own name.Its first choice - South African National Congress - was challenged by the ANC, which said 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 dispute over the party's name.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, where Mr Zuma defeated Mr Mbeki in a leadership contest.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, where Mr Zuma defeated Mr Mbeki in a leadership contest.
But he also says that Cope, which claims to have more 4,000 members, is in a position to make serious inroads into ANC dominance.But he also says that Cope, which claims to have more 4,000 members, is in a position to make serious inroads into ANC dominance.
Are you South African? Would you vote for the new party in next year's elections? What does this mean for democracy in South Africa? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you South African? Would you vote for the new party in next year's elections? What does this mean for democracy in South Africa? Send us your comments using the form below:
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