By Esther Lewis
In an attempt to coax the Jewish community into financially supporting the newly formed Congress of the People, one of the party's leaders in the Western Cape, Leonard Ramatlakane, likened Cope to a newborn baby in need of milk and nappies.
Co-party leader Mosiuoa Lekota, former community safety MEC Ramatlakane and Cope's newest recruit, Simon Grindrod, previously of the ID, visited the Marais Road Synagogue Hall in Sea Point on Sunday night.
Ramatlakane told the crowd of about 400 that when a baby was on its way, everyone was excited, "but after the child is born, the expenses start: the baby needs milk and nappies".
Continues Below ↓
Cope would 'deracialise affirmative action' "We have a collective responsibility to ensure the baby grows, walks and runs," Ramatlakane said, referring to the fledgling party.
Lekota joked later that the party was so poor they could not even afford to bring posters along.
Grindrod, who held the post of mayoral committee member of economic development and tourism, resigned from the ID last week, denying that he had been paid to join Cope.
Lekota discussed some of the party's policies, including affirmative action.
If voted into power, he said, Cope would "deracialise affirmative action".
Cope's formation this year was 'perfect timing' to change the mood of South Africans There was no reason for his children, or those of Cyril Ramaphosa or Tokyo Sexwale, to be advantaged over poor white children, he said. "Affirm them on the basis of merit. Do they deserve it or not?"
Lekota said the ANC government's race-based policies, including "nonsensical quota schemes" had again given one race an advantage over another.
Another policy the party would implement would be to "depoliticise" all security forces. Lekota said no law enforcement agency should be affiliated to any party, especially not the ruling one.
He also made it clear that while membership to Cope was open to everyone, the party wanted to build a nation of men and women who worked hard to make South Africa a better place.
Continues...
|
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Digg
Delicious
Newsvine
Facebook
muti
Twitter
