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New South African party launches Party launched for 'all S Africa'
(10 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. The leader of a new political party in South Africa has said at the movement's formal launch that it will offer a home to all South Africans.
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. Former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said the Congress of the People, or Cope, was the "party of the future".
On Tuesday it named ex-Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota as its president. Correspondents say the party could present real opposition to the African National Congress for the first time.
Cope emerged after Thabo Mbeki left the presidency in September amid a power struggle with ANC leader Jacob Zuma. It is made up largely of ANC defectors, and will challenge the governing party in national elections next year.
Mr Lekota was speaking in Bloemfontein, where he was named as Cope's president.
"The history of South Africa will never be the same again," he said.
"Ours shall be a truly non-racial party that will provide a true home to all South Africans irrespective of race, class or gender."
The ANC has ruled South Africa since the end of white minority rule 14 years ago.
'Growth of democracy'
Cope emerged after Thabo Mbeki resigned as president in September after 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 that delegates have been locked in feverish political debates. We need to fight joblessness and grow our economy Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7784763.stm">New party to challenge ANC rule class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7706366.stm">Profile: Mosiuoa Lekota
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 dispute
As it confirmed Mr Lekota as its leader, Cope named the former premier of Gauteng province, Mbhazima Shilowa, as its first deputy president.As it confirmed Mr Lekota as its leader, Cope named the former premier of Gauteng province, Mbhazima Shilowa, 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7784763.stm">New party to challenge ANC rule class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7706366.stm">Profile: Mosiuoa Lekota class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5816&edition=2">Send us your comments Mr Lekota, who has ruled out any reconciliation with the ANC, said that expanding the economy would be the linchpin of Cope's electoral campaign.
"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. "We need to fight joblessness and grow our economy," he said.
"Our approach is stability, hard work and growth."
Electoral test
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. 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
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 than 400,000 members, is in a position to make serious inroads into ANC dominance. But he also says that Cope, which says it has more than 400,000 members, is in a position to make serious inroads into ANC dominance.
The ANC has around 650,000 paid-up members.
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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