Update on COPE KZN

General news: The regional structure of COPE KZN is dormant at the moment, as the MPL Lucky Gabela is refusing to vacate his seat or account for COPE money. There is a stalemate which apparently will only be resolved once the court-case deciding the status of Mbazima Shilowa is over. Gabela refuses to acknowledge the leadership of Terror Lekota, instead pledging allegiance to Shilowa. This is most likely because Gabela has been refusing for more than a year to account for the mis-spending of COPE funds and is most likely trying to keep the investigation into missing money at bay for as long as possible. It is believed that he is currently bankrolling ousted COPE officials such as Phillip Mhlongo and Mthoko Miyendi.

Food production, biodiversity and water use in South Africa: an analysis of the impact of production scale and production systems – Raymond Auerbach

Small scale agriculture the world over is constrained by four main factors: access to land, access to markets, access to capital and access to skills. In addition, African smallholders face increasing difficulties accessing sufficient soil moisture and nutrients to produce reliable harvests. On-going desertification and decreasing biodiversity also increasingly threaten sustainability. Large scale policy interventions are inherently difficult, as rural people tend to be organised at local level, and rural institutions in Africa are often weak, yet World Bank and government initiatives usually argue for economies of scale. The most promising support initiatives in southern and eastern Africa work locally to build local institutions, while supporting production with risk-reducing technologies. At the same time, they provide groups with market access, training and mentorship. The results of large-scale land reform initiatives have been almost universally disastrous.

Keeping pace with society’s evolution

Progressivism could be the answer to South Africa`s plethora of problems, writes SMUTS NGONYAMA

DRAFT PAPER TO ELICIT DISCUSSION WITH A VIEW TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY POSITION STATEMENT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

FOR THE CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE

‘‘Exploring ineffectiveness of ward councilors and lack of service delivery in a post-apartheid South Africa.’’

Prepared by Phumlani Diko

Information from the Western Cape – Thuma Mina campaign

*Thuma Mina* Campaign

Introduction

Thuma mina means send me. Thuma mina is a campaign initiated by COPE
Youth Movement aimed at revitalising and rejuvenating the morale of the
young people to ensure a strong, energetic, and vibrant organisation at
branch level having a bottom up approach for cemented concrete
foundation.

Discussion document

KWAZULU-NATAL

FIRST DRAFT: WOMENS POLICY

1. Preface

Gender equality is a core value of the struggle for a democratic South Africa. This value was immediately adopted into the country’s governance processes in 1994 and has been enshrined in the 1996 Constitution of South Africa.

Discussion document

Political realignment Background The existing political situation in South Africa began to acquire its contemporary shape with the formation of COPE. With the evolving political developments new trends emerged and constant evolution is slowly becoming a permanent feature.

Discussion document

South African public will not wait for COPE forever. Its custodians must establish whether it is something or nothing. The party in KZN is going to its strategic session to envision the next course of action, so it is upon all leaders and activists in the province to assist the organisation.

Ilembe Regional News

Regional organiser for Ilembe – Joe Ndimande – joendimande@24.com -    0726179745