My fellow South Africans,

These weeks have shown me something I almost forgot... COPERS demand one thing from their leader, and that is the ability to unite South Africans - to steer a political party to its rightful place in the political arena, a government in waiting.

How can COPE redeem this intolerable situation, wherein the entire country's perception is that the leaders of COPE are at each other's throats, not just at the expense of the Party, but indeed, of the country.

South Africa needs strong opposition. COPE, in spite of the chaos and disorganization symptomatic of a party a few weeks old, won 1.7m votes! Imagine the results if COPE were to be seen to be fulfilling its promise to the people of South Africa, that of being a political home for all South Africans.

It has been alleged by the media that mine was an "apology under fire". I say herein, no one will force me to apologise when I do not feel such an apology is deserved. Therefore, my apology was sincere. Throughout my life I have served the South African people, guided by my principles - I am said to be obstinate and indeed, if it can be argued that obstinacy is the worst of me, let it also be said that it is the best of me.

However, the fact of the matter is I was wrong to act outside of the structures laid down by the CNC and publicly charge my Deputy President with mismanagement of funds before the outcome of an audit. I offer no excuses, but I do offer a lesson learnt:

Those privy to the inner workings of COPE can understand the leadership frustrations of the COPE triumvirate. The reality is 15 months ago, both Mr Shilowa and I tried to please the public. South Africans who were weary of corruption, weary of empty promises, sat up and took notice when gatvol, Shilowa and myself said, "Enough is enough!" 2 | P a g e o f 3 CK 2008/026811/08

South Africans listened. It appeared South Africans everywhere had had enough. Here was a party promising a viable alternative! With cheers ringing in our ears and a brandishing the COPE colours, Mr Shilowa and myself led the charge.

Almost immediately we made our first mistake. In hindsight, the decision we took fifteen months ago must surely be one of the biggest blunders in South African Public Relations history. We, a select few, chose leadership for the COPE masses, instead of allowing the voice of the masses to be heard and recognized.

There can be no doubt our actions then, determining COPE leadership structures in a rush, did not work effectively for COPE, and was indicative of the teething mistakes of a new Party.

The end result was a party hamstrung by a lack of clear and decisive leadership. Both Mr Shilowa and myself (I believe few would argue that either of us have the ability to take COPE to the next level) stood back and conceded, reluctantly, to relinquish total captaincy. We believed we did the correct thing then for the good of the Party.

A ship should only have one captain. Ours was a course which set our young ship heading towards icebergs and infested waters.

That same idealism of integrity, transparency, led me to act in a manner which ultimately brought my party into disrepute.

This was never my intention. I am deeply committed to an alternative party for the South African masses and if that means my head on a platter to keep the party's hopes and aspirations alive, then so be it. COPE will always be bigger than Masiuoa Lekota. Cope belongs to the South African people.

COPE is indeed a Congress of the People, and I hope to always hold my head up up high, proud that I am a part of its forming! COPE must not suffer as a result of leadership dilemmas. The way forward is clear:

The people of SA must once again be persuaded that the founders of COPE had a clear vision of a party to embrace all South Africans, and that vision will triumph over personal failings.

Therefore I am going to urge the party to convene the National Congress as scheduled in May, urge my supporters to abide by any outcome of such an election. I stand by my call for an audit, and take hope from the fact that the CNC has resolved to appoint an audit company as a matter of urgency. As the current leader of COPE, if there was corruption on my watch, I will take full responsibility. Such responsibility demanded action. I am much encouraged by the decision that the CNC has pledged transparency in the matter of COPE's forthcoming audit. 3 | P a g e o f 3 CK 2008/026811/08

I have been inundated by calls of support and to those supporters, I ask that you remember that your allegiance is to COPE, and not to me. Whatever the outcome of the Cope May elections , then that outcome must be respected. To those of you who feel I brought shame upon the party, I say most humbly, that I made my call as the President of the Congress of the People, that albeit my public announcement was premature, let history show that my failing was one of over-zealousness and never one of malice.

My allegiance is now, and ever will be, to the people of South Africa.

Mosiuoa Lekota.

Issued by the Office of Mosiuoa Lekota, Congress of the People, May 5 2010

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