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Acc name: Metro Region Western Cape
Bank: Standard Bank
Acc no: 071606858
Branch: Parow
Branch code: 031110
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Download the Volunteer’s guide and Student’s guide and distribute to friends. Let’s COPE!
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Please notify Johan Boot @ johan@iwebtec.net or SMS to 0835561668 with info of upcoming events.
For Immediate Release 02 March 2011
COPE Youth Movement (COPEYM) in Gauteng Province (GP) notes that young people have developed a great sen…se of apathy insofar as politics are concerned. This is as a result of the nature in which politicians and those that are in positions of power are conducting themselves whilst they are entrusted with public office. In the 2009 general elections we saw great participation by the youth and this time around must not be any different.
COPEYM GP has undergone a process of energizing young people who live in the vicinity of all COPEYM structures across the province and this is to ensure that young people are registered to vote. It is important that as the 5-6 March 2011, which is the last voter registration weekend, approaches we make our call to young people much louder that their future is in their own hands. The Local Municipality sphere of governance has been marred with allegations of corruption, poor service delivery and many instances of maladministration. This is because for far too long the country has relied on the African National Congress (ANC) to repeatedly supply the locals with politicians who have no ambition beyond positions. This is why when there is a clear billing crisis in the City of Johannesburg, the Mayor Amos Masondo is able to stand up and say that there is no crisis while it looks at him in the face. That is the greatest sign of ignorance and lack of knowledge that has become synonymous with many of our Municipalities. It is upon this that we call upon young people to come out in their droves to register so that they may be able to vote in councillors who are not only ambitious on behalf of the community but also carry a vision that will advance the aspirations of ordinary citizens.
COPEYM GP notes that there are many areas whereby living conditions of our people have not changed; there are many areas whereby political patronage has become more important than the service delivery. It is upon this that we make a clarion call to the young citizens of Gauteng and also across the country that they must start being responsible, by fighting to root out mediocre leadership in our institutions of governance. It is only through the ballot, that in a constitutional democracy, citizens have power to act to change the direction of doing things within government. The vote is the only revolutionary tool of today that any citizen over the age of 18 years has in order for them to effect the desired change in society.
COPEYM GP is happy to be part and parcel of the Gauteng Province COPE leadership that has now taken steps with other provinces to defend the outcomes of the COPE Conference in December 2010 at Heartfelt Arena. We view this as a step towards protecting the will of majority of structures in the Congress of the People and protection of the movement from fugitives of democracy led by the self-bestowed “only ruler of COPE” Mr. Lekota. It is important that dualism in the party is dealt with and ended speedily so as for the party to be able to send out one clear, unambiguous message to the public, so that the campaign and drive towards the elections will not get compromised. We affirm to the COPE leadership under the Presidency of Cde Mbhazima Shilowa our continued support for it and that we will leading up to the Local Government Elections provide the best electioneering support for the party.
COPEYM GP has started to be part of door-to-door campaigns and listens to the cries of ordinary citizens who yearn for nothing else but change. People are looking for a responsive government, an accountable government and a government with capacity to deliver on the promises made during campaigning. People are tired of dishonesty and hypocrisy within the ruling elite whereby it is nepotism and manipulation of processes to satisfy self-gain.
COPEYM GP is now preparing all its structures towards democratic election of its regional and provincial leaderships. The dates for all the conferences will be published soon, but these will be events that clearly demonstrate how young people in COPE not only want to participate in democratic processes but they themselves also have a will to be subjected to such processes. Upon having concluded our conferences, we will make our position clear to the national Youth Movement that the time for a national COPEYM conference has come.
We urge all young people to come out and register this coming weekend, as their vote is their voice and their choice of government will reflect not only their thinking and aspirations but also the kind of society that they want to build.
Issued by COPEYM Gauteng
Zelda Ngxiki Provincial Secretary (Acting)
0835412461
PRESS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 03 MARCH 2011
The unlawful raid of the august office of the public protector by the police force is a blatant act of intimidation by General Bheki Cele. This disgraceful conduct has all the hallmarks of a man who has no regard for the law and the protocol required among state eminent institutions.
The public protector, as a chapter 9 institution, is one of the most important organ of state in the deepening and protection of our constitutional democracy.
COPE dismisses with all the contempt is deserves the attempt by the police general to play ignorant of the actions of his police. We have no doubt that the raid carried his blessings as was the case with the unlawful arrest of Mzilikazi Wa-Africa, the journalist who broke the scandal.
It is clear that General Cele has no grasp of the decorum and the responsibility that goes with his office. He has demonstrated sheer contempt for the law and our constitutional dispensation. We once again call upon President Jacob Zuma to show leadership and act on his promise to rid our government of contemptuous behaviour and corruption.
He must fire General Cele and demonstrate to our country that the police head despicable action do not carry his approval. There’s no doubt that this was an act of intimidation and this was General Cele’s show of force.
ISSUED BY MLULEKI GEORGE ON BEHLAF OF COPE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL HIM AT 082 990 3278 OR SIPHO NGWEMA @ 082 4998111.
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