Ma’mbeki renews COPE membership for 2014 poll
EPAINETTE Mbeki – the mother of former president Thabo Mbeki – renewed her COPE membership and received her new card in Dutywa on Saturday.
The card was handed over to her at the party’s election campaign by leader Mosiuoa Lekota attended by about 1 700 COPE supporters in Dutywa stadium.
COPE provincial chairman Mbulelo Ntenjwa said the event officially symbolised the party’s readiness to contest next year’s general elections.
“Our membership renewal programme went very well and about 300 new membership cards were given out on Saturday.
“So far in the province we have given out more than 5 000 new membership cards and more are still being printed,” said Ntenjwa.
“Mr Lekota said we must set up bases as we head towards the 2014 general elections,” he said.
Ma’Mbeki, 96, joined the party during its inauguration in 2009.
Provincial party spokesman Nkosifikile Gqomo said the party would contest the election as a united party.
The party has been embroiled in a leadership battle since its formation in 2008 that resulted in a controversial and chaotic policy conference in May 2010.
This month the party will be at the South Gauteng High Court where a judge will deliberate on the legitimate leadership of the party between Lekota and Mbazima Shilowa. — Zwanga Mukhuthu