Cope will focus its election campaign in Western Cape on winning over neglected rural communities, the party's candidate for premier Allan Boesak said in Cape Town yesterday.

Cope will focus its election campaign in Western Cape on winning over neglected rural communities, the party's candidate for premier Allan Boesak said in Cape Town yesterday.

Boesak, pictured, speaking at the launch of Cope's cycling team which will compete in the Argus cycle race in Cape Town on Sunday, said communities across Western Cape felt "totally neglected".

"Large communities feel totally neglected by political parties. These communities need the hope that our political party can bring. We know that the situation in our country is dire and that people are giving up on democracy."

Boesak said many communities felt that they were being merely used to bring in votes.

"I am from Kakamas, on the banks of the Orange River, I understand how the people are feeling. I'm going to talk to these people and let them know that Cope is serious," Boesak said.

"That is why you will find me campaigning in rural areas, in fishing villages, in Wolsley, in the Great Karoo and the Klein Karoo, and on the farms of the Boland." - Sapa