Johannesburg – The president of South Africa should be directly elected, the Congress of the People (Cope) said in its election manifesto released on Sunday.

“Cope will enable people to directly elect their most senior representatives, namely, the president, premiers and mayors,” the party said in its manifesto, which was launched at a function in Bloemfontein.

The party said this “unprecedented” move would “strengthen the power of South Africans to hold their leaders to account”.

The party also said that if they were to come to power they would “downsize government so that resources can be redirected towards investment in the economy”.

The manifesto stated that Cope was committed to supporting an economy that was environmentally sound.

“Organic farming, for instance, will be encouraged to protect both consumers and the environment.”
Regarding education, the party wanted the minimum pass rate to be increased, artisan programmes to be included in the curriculum and physical education made compulsory at all schools.

It also said that unions should be excluded from the appointment and management of teachers.

“Politically, we need to limit the role of unions, and free teaching from the demands of union members that are often in conflict with the interests of the teaching profession, the teachers and learners.”
When it came to health care, Cope pledged that if it were to run government it would ensure that professional managers ran health care facilities.

It also wanted the secrecy bill reviewed “so that it is not used to subvert the freedom of the press or to hide corruption or violate the rights of citizens”.

The party said it needed South Africans to help uplift the country.

“We are calling on you to save South Africa.”
Cope received 1.3 million votes in the 2009 elections after it was officially launched on 16 December 2008 in Bloemfontein.

In January this year, City Press reported that Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota had said the party was broke but would still be victorious at the ballot.

This year’s general elections are scheduled to take place on 7 May.

– SAPA