Latest news with #Loate
Eyewitness News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
COPE optimistic it can recover lost ground
JOHANNESBURG - Despite the Congress of the People (COPE)'s poor electoral performance at the general elections, the party says it believes it can recover lost ground. The party has appointed Teboho Loate as its interim leader, following Mosiuoa Lekota's decision to step back from politics. Lekota has been unwell and battling an undisclosed illness, prompting the organisation to find an interim replacement. COPE party received under 1% of the vote in the most recent general elections, resulting in the loss of its parliamentary representation. This was a sharp decline from its first election in 2009, when it received more than 1.3 million votes and 30 seats in the National Assembly. READ: COPE appoints Loate as interim leader after Lekota steps back to focus on his health With leader Lekota unwell and stepping back from politics, many believe the party will never bounce back. But Loate insists the party can once again appeal to South Africans. "COPE was born from a refusal to accept betrayal in politics that led to this current state of affairs. In 2009, over 1.3 million South Africans trusted us with their votes. That spirit is still alive. We want to earn your trust again, not with words, but with action. In the coming months, you'll see a COPE that is active, visible and fighting for the people."
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
COPE appoints Loate as interim leader after Lekota steps back to focus on his health
Alpha Ramushwana 10 August 2025 | 14:02 Congress of the People (COPE) Mosiuoa Lekota FILE: COPE leadership at a media briefing. Picture: Thabiso Goba/EWN JOHANNESBURG - The Congress of the People (COPE) has appointed Teboho Loate as its interim leader after the party's president, Mosiuoa Lekota, stepped back from politics to focus on his health. The party confirmed that Lekota has been unwell, as he continues to battle an undisclosed illness. Loate has been appointed to lead the party until its next elective conference, scheduled to take place in December. Loate said he would now focus on rebuilding the organisation. "This appointment marks the start of a new leadership phase for COPE, one that builds on our founding values while responding to the urgent needs of the country today. Since 2008, COPE has stood for non-racialism, non-sexism, respect for the Constitution, clean government, and the direct election of leaders. These values are even more important now, as our politics have become full of corruption, empty promises, and leaders who put themselves before the people. COPE rejects this kind of politics."
