The dissent in the Congress of the People youth movement (CopeYM) is a "gift" to the party, Cope president Terror Lekota said on Thursday.

Cope's birth was a "baptism of fire" with all the attendant euphoria, turmoil and chaos, he said.

Cope should not dismiss the youth movement's impatience and should acknowledge its frustrations at the many challenges for the party's ambitious proposed expansions and campaigns.

Lekota urged members to build on the "wisdom that sometimes only setbacks can bring".

The matters of concern to the CopeYM were relevant and also disturbing to Cope.

"However, (we) have to be practical and take our opportunities when and how we can," said Lekota.

"We all must take full ownership of the problems as set out by the CopeYM, and work even harder...".

He was confident that Cope would begin to assert its authority in the next few months with substantial and coordinated initiatives.

"The public will soon begin to see Cope's teeth," he said.

CopeYM's comment that minimal branches had been set up was valid, but "we have to address this issue within the confines of our organisational capacity, it is that simple", said Lekota.

"That being said, we trust our members to not play to the bandstand."

Lekota also warned that the "blustering of an undisciplined Youth Movement is not the way of Cope, and any attempt to undermine the infrastructure and leadership of Cope will be decisively dealt with".

"Therefore, the media reports of some factions within the CopeYM calling for the dissolution of Cope leadership are disappointing, but such are growing pains of a young party."

Cope's support from many quarters of the country had been gratifying and a sharp reminder that many had their hopes pinned on the party.

"We regard the CopeYM outburst as ill-conceived, but perhaps in the light of their frustration with the constraints we have as the 'new kids on the block', understandable. We must up our game," Lekota said.