The Congress of the People held an important national strategic planning session of the Congress of the People from 5 - 7 February 2010 in Tshwane. We are pleased to report to our members and supporters as well as South Africans in general, the outcomes of this successful National Strategic Planning Session attended by CNC members, COPE MPs, MPLs and Councilors and representatives of the COPE Youth Movement, COPE Women's Movement and the COPE Student's Movement. This meeting, lasting three days, covered the various political and organizational issues that the party faces as we begin 2010. This Session was indeed a political platform where the Congress of the People had an opportunity to speak and listen to itself.

The objectives of the CNC Strategic Planning Session were:-
· Building and strengthening the organizational capacity of COPE to defend our
Constitution and democracy
· Build strong structures of COPE at all levels of the organization
· Build COPEWM,COPEYM and COPESM
· Mobilize and engage various sectors such as business, professionals etc
· Build strategic partnerships with civil society

A thorough assessment of the state of the organization was made and it was concluded that while there is uneven development of the structures of the party, there is growth of the party in every corner of the country. Branches are being launched; issues being taken up by activists and discussions on policy and political issues are healthy and vibrant. These branches are key units for internal party democracy as well as being the link between the party and citizens.

The meeting discussed the progress in refining policy in preparation for the National Policy Indaba in the run up to the National Congress to be held in May 2010. Documents have been distributed to branches and will be made available on the website. We encourage all South Africans to engage in this carnival of ideas. The constitution of the party will also be amended at the National Congress and the team drafting the amendments will release a draft for discussion by the end of February.

Among the challenges identified are:
· the need to ensure branches are launched in time to participate in the National Congress to be held at the end of May this year;
· the need to work on unity and cohesion in the structures and
· The need to ensure that elected representatives of the party are working hard to represent COPE's views in all the legislatures, municipal councils and in parliament.

The mobilization of resources to fight a vigorous local government election campaign is also a key challenge, as is the need to mount key campaigns around issues of service delivery, corruption, transforming the electoral system and fighting poverty, to mention a few of the most urgent. A fundraising strategy was agreed bearing in mind the fear that some of the businesspeople and professional face were it to be known that they support and fund COPE.

The meeting also reflected on the opportunities the formation of the party has created. There is renewed vigor in the political life of our democracy, discussion among and between the opposition parties, a revival of civil society organizations and a keen interest by the international community in the unfolding political processes in our country.

COPE will seize these opportunities and demonstrate to the South African people at large that it is the only party fit and able to govern this country. It is in this regard that the discussion on the realignment of politics to create a new majority will be conducted.

The twentieth anniversary of the release of the father of our non-racial and democratic country, comrade Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was noted and the progress since his release discussed.

While there are many challenges our country and its people face, there can be no doubt that our hard fought for democracy has improved the lives of most of our people, even the poorest of the poor. The challenge is for the whole country to unite to ensure that our Constitution is realized and the rights in it accorded to all citizens in practice.

Delegates to the meeting discussed an approach to the State of the Nation Address to be given by President Jacob Zuma this week in parliament. We are of the firm view that there will be little of substance in his address. The Zuma government has been characterized by mediocrity. The bloated cabinet, under-performing Ministers and civil service managers and the absence of the President from the national stage, except when there is a controversy about his personal life, is notable.

It is clear that many things have worsened over the last year, including unemployment, poor local government and even national government service delivery. The stimulation package that was supposed to ease the impact of the recession has been a complete flop, particularly with the pathetically low spending on the re-training of workers.

Corruption and excess are rampant, with Ministers in government leading the way in terms of gratuitous expenditure on luxury motor vehicles and their own business interests dominating the government and parastatals in particular. These publicly owned entities are also cause for concern as the majority of these entities are now run by Acting Executives, making accountability a real challenge. The crises in these entities seem to continue unabated.

Once again the sexual indiscretions of President Jacob Zuma have brought to the fore some of the most pertinent issues that led to the establishment of the Congress of the People.
From the onset we spelt it out loud and clear that the new prosperous South Africa could only be built on the basis of a value system that defines the identify of our nation - giving us pride in ourselves as a people. The respect for the values and the principles of the South African people should constitute part of what makes us all, "Proudly South African!"
It is disheartening and ironic, therefore, that the president of the republic, through his personal injudiciousness, continues to be a source of shame and embarrassment to our proud nation. When we called for leaders who are honest servants of the people - always preserving the pride and dignity of our country - we called for men and women of exemplary conduct who fully understood the responsibility that comes with leading our great country.
When COPE called for the empowerment of our citizens so that we can be able to directly elect our most senior representatives like the President, the Premiers, and Mayors - within the framework of a constitutional democracy - we wanted to protect the dignity and stature of those offices. Furthermore, we wanted the citizens to directly interrogate and scrutinize the individuals vying for that office.
In turn, hidden behind the might of political organizations where flawed leaders who had little or no regard for the responsibility that came with being a leader emerge. Even though President Jacob Zuma had been admonished by a Gauteng South Judge for lack of control for his "body and sexual urges" - he was the best the ANC could offer to South Africa, against good judgment and advice.
South Africa has since become a laughing stock of the nations of the world. In a country with the highest figures of the HIV/Aids pandemic - the President has failed to hid his own government's call on fighting the pandemic: The ABC policy. He neither Abstained; nor could he Be faithful, and never uses a Condom.
He is no role model for the nation. In fact, it is true that he has put the lives of all involved in danger. In addition, his sexual advances to the children of his friend's children go to the heart his scandalous behavior and his moral bankruptcy.
The President has no respect for the nation but for the ANC at whose pleasure he serves. The shrouded apology he issued at the insistence of his party clearly demonstrates that he is only accountable to the ruling part. How does he explain his initial contempt for the nation following his sexual escapades?
President Jacob Zuma is not fit for office. He has tarnished the image of the republic and brought the Office of the Presidency into disrepute. We call on him to resign. He has no moral standing to face the nation on Thursday.
If the ANC fails to force him to resign or he does not do so on his own accord - COPE will move for a motion of no confidence in parliament.
The ANC will have to chose between it's scandalous leader and the nation.