Lekota steps down from COPE leadership

Long-standing Congress of the People (COPE) President Mosiuoa Lekota is stepping back from the party’s leadership due to health reasons.

The COPE National Committee has since appointed Teboho Loate as interim leader until the December 2025 elective congress.

Speaking to Newsday, acting national chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi said that Lekota indicated that he would like to “hand the mantle over to a new generation of leadership” amid his health struggles.

“Loate, a seasoned and highly respected anti-apartheid activist and founding member of COPE, brings a wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to the struggle for democracy, freedom, and development,” said Dikgetsi.

“His deep knowledge and loyalty to the party’s vision makes him the ideal leader to carry forward the party’s vision.”

In a press briefing over the weekend, Loate said that this is part of a leadership renewal aimed at restoring public trust ahead of the 2026 elections.

“This appointment marks the start of a new leadership phase for COPE, one that builds on our founding values whilst responding to the urgent needs of our country, today.”

“We speak for the many South Africans who feel ignored, who no longer vote because they don’t believe any party represents them.”

The rise and decline of COPE

COPE was founded in 2008 by former African National Congress (ANC) members dissatisfied with the ANC’s direction under Jacob Zuma.

Its formation was rooted in deep internal ANC divisions exposed at the 2007 Polokwane conference, where Zuma defeated then-President Thabo Mbeki for the ANC leadership.

The breaking point came in September 2008, when Zuma-influenced ANC recalled Mbeki as South Africa’s president amid allegations of political interference in Zuma’s corruption case.

High-profile ANC members, including former ANC chairperson and Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, former Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, and Mluleki George, resigned in protest, citing concerns about Zuma’s leadership and alleged erosion of democratic norms.

On November 1, 2008, they convened a national convention in Sandton, attracting over 5,000 attendees to discuss forming a new political movement.

COPE was officially launched on December 16, 2008, in Bloemfontein, a date symbolising reconciliation and linked to the ANC’s historic armed struggle.

Lekota was appointed president, and the party’s name echoed the 1955 Congress of the People, famous for the Freedom Charter. Although the ANC challenged the name in court, the challenge was dismissed.

COPE aimed to be a progressive, social-democratic alternative to the ANC, focusing on addressing crime, poverty, unemployment, and appealing to minorities and women. It sought to move beyond race-based voting patterns.

In the 2009 general election, COPE ammassed over 1.3 million votes (7.42%), giving them 30 seats in Parliament.

They largely drew support from former ANC voters, especially in the Eastern Cape, Free State, and Northern Cape.

However, internal leadership disputes, mainly between Lekota and Shilowa, led to court battles and damaged the party’s credibility.

Organisational problems and poor communication further weakened COPE.

Its electoral support steadily declined, dropping to 0.67% in 2014, 0.27% in 2019, and 0.09% in 2024, resulting in the loss of all parliamentary seats.

Loate said that there is a broader leadership renewal aimed at restoring public trust ahead of the 2026 elections.