EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu has offered a pointed critique of the Congress of the People (COPE), arguing that the party’s formation was rooted in “anger and resentment” following the ANC’s 2008 removal of former President Thabo Mbeki—and not a clear, transformative political vision.
In his analysis, Shivambu suggests that this emotional and reactionary foundation is precisely why COPE failed to establish itself as a durable political force in South Africa’s democracy.
“The founding of COPE was emotional, not programmatic,” Shivambu stated. “It lacked the ideological clarity and long-term strategy needed to survive in South African politics.”
COPE emerged during one of the ANC’s most turbulent periods, as factions loyal to Mbeki broke away after his dramatic ousting in the wake of Jacob Zuma’s rise to power. While it initially made a strong showing in the 2009 elections, the party quickly spiraled into infighting, leadership disputes, and declining support.
Shivambu’s remarks reflect broader debates about what makes a political movement sustainable in South Africa’s evolving landscape—and may serve as a veiled reminder of what the EFF sees as its own ideological distinctiveness and staying power.
For many, the fall of COPE serves as a cautionary tale: political reaction without a clear program can spark headlines—but not history.
