I trust the new party will offer us more than the ANC, which has hoodwinked the electorate over the last 14 years.

I trust the new party will offer us more than the ANC, which has hoodwinked the electorate over the last 14 years.

We want real change, beyond the romanticism of struggle politics. If the ANC failed to transform itself into a political party, citizens should not be held to ransom.

I salute the courage of Mosiuoa Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa and others for taking the unpopular road of taking on the ANC, which has perfected corruption, abuse of power, nepotism and crony capitalism under the cloak of the much-vaunted BEE to reward its lackeys and puppets. Mediocrity has been rewarded in the workplace by giving influential, well-paying positions to the least qualified because of political correctness in local, provincial, national government and parastatals.

If Cope can become a clean government that rewards merit, recognises ethics and morality and respects the Constitution and the rule of law, it will attract many votes from a tired electorate.

Coming from the ANC, the Cope leaders are best qualified to make a real dent in ANC support and serious inroads into uncommitted voters. They must not feel guilty because of their past association with the ANC. Vilification and name calling are part of politics if you break out of the envelope. Cope must also do something about ANC storm troopers who interfere with free speech and liberty of association.

Moses Matsimbi, Johannesburg