By Angela Quintal
Congress of the People (COPE) deputy chairperson Mbhazima Shilowa pledged on Thursday that should his party come into power, South Africans living abroad would be allowed to vote.
Shilowa was participating in IOL's online chat forum, which will become a regular feature in the run-up to next year's election, with all the country's political parties invited to interact with readers.
The ANC's chat is scheduled for January 7 next year, the day before its 97th birthday, with the DA also expressing interest in February after its manifesto launch.
In response to "Squeek" who urged that South African expatriates should be allowed to cast ballots, Shilowa said: "We have been informed by the IEC that it's too late to do so for these elections. We will attend to this when we come to power.
"Your optimism is admirable and highly welcome," "Yandi" replied.
Shilowa was questioned on his views about Jacob Zuma's education, after a report in The Citizen newspaper quoted his biographer, Jeremy Gordin, as saying that formal education was not a prerequisite for running the country.
The former Gauteng premier, said that while "you don't need academic qualification", "you do need certain leadership skills and values".
Challenged about his own educational qualifications by "Mzekezeke", Shilowa described himself as "an organic intellectual".
He also defended COPE chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota who was was described by "Magesh" as the "next Mugabe".
"He doesn't respect anybody. I wonder if he respects you Mr Shilowa," Magesh said.
But Shilowa praised Lekota as someone "who respects the views of all South Africans and the COPE membership and leadership".
This prompted "Bra Tabs" to ask Shilowa what he thought of the Zimbabwean leader.
"I think he has seen better days," the ex-premier replied.
There was much interest about Shilowa's views on the death penalty and he made clear that he was against capital punishment.
"What is important is to ensure that perpetrators serve their time."
Shilowa said the matter would be discussed at COPE's launch conference, but "I don't imagine conference will decide otherwise".
On the arms deal, Shilowa said no COPE leader was implicated in the arms deal.
When "THE" suggested he had joined the wrong party, with the wrong partners and needed to form his own party, Shilowa replied "I am satisfied with the people that we are associating with at the moment".
This led "IOL43" to ask what his position was on former Western Cape premier and mayor, Peter Marais, who recently joined COPE.
"All including he, will have to abide by the values and policies of the new organisation," said Shilowa.
And on ANCYL Julius Malema, Shilowa said: "I think he is a joke."