Business Day (Johannesburg)
4 November 2009
editorial
Johannesburg — MANY people, us included, wanted the Congress of the People (COPE) to succeed. We wanted this not because we are eager to endorse any party as best for SA at this time - they all have deep structural, ideological and organisational flaws that would make such an accolade undeserving.
Rather, goodwill for COPE stemmed from a desire to see the entrenchment of multiparty democracy in SA, particularly after the demise of smaller parties since 1994. We hoped COPE would give the liberation giant from whose womb it was delivered a run for its money.
Sadly, one year later, COPE has proven to be a disappointment. The latest resignation, by Alla n Boesak, is further proof. Boesak is of course a dubious character so it may be a blessing that he resigned - but his words are accurate. He reportedly stated that "from the very beginning the party structures, such as they were, were characterised by faction fighting, strife, pitched battles for political supremacy and duplicity.... At this point the party structures continue to be in disarray."
We agree with Boesak . COPE, furthermore, needs to develop more comprehensive policy perspectives. We are not complete prophets of doom. These weaknesses can yet be dealt a blow. The critical condition for their successful elimination is better leadership.
In order to deal with its leadership migraine, COPE must swallow a couple of tough solutions.
First, an elective conference is desperately needed. There is little reason to hold this conference only towards the end of next year as is the current plan.
Doing so will hamper the leadership structure's chances of fighting the 2011 local elections with a well thought-through plan. It should and can be held earlier - before the World Cup - even in the face of an imperfect branch structure.
The solution to the latter lies in getting away from the needlessly complex branch structures that the African National Congress (ANC) has, which include too many levels of vertical reporting. This is getting in the way of political development.
Second, an open contest between those wanting to lead the party must be encouraged, immediately, to show their hands. Mosiuoa Lekota pays lip service to open contestation. In reality he seems fearful of open contest. This is known but unexpressed among COPE leaders with a lesser public profile. They must speak out.
COPE can still develop a culture of internal democracy despite having older leaders with memories of times when "deployment" rather than "leadership victory" explained their rise to power.
If they get this first step right, then they can move to the next one, that of plotting election strategies and building an in-house think-tank to think through policy.
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