Can ex-bishop break ANC poll power?

1 ANSWERS

1. Brett
   

   Even after another gruelling interview Mvume Dandala, candidate for South Africa's new Congress of the People (Cope) party, remains calm and softly spoken - apparently little changed since his days as a priest at the central Methodist church in Johannesburg.
   
   But some say this might be his downfall in the ruthless world of politics.
   
   "Dandala is weak," says one political observer after listening to Bishop Dandala being interviewed.
   
   "I don't see how he will match the vigour of a man like [governing ANC president] Jacob Zuma."
   
   The new kid on the political block was born Mvumelwano Hamilton Dandala in 1951, but he looks half his age.
   
   When he walks alongside his son Hlomla Dandala, also a prominent member of Cope, the two look like brothers.
   
   "In full my surname is Umdandalaza which means - a strong man," he says, eyes sparkling behind his glasses.
   
   The former Methodist bishop describes himself as a perfectionist who takes failure very hard.
   
   Liberation struggle
   
   
   There is a notion that people in politics cannot be good faith people - that is a misunderstanding
   
   He received his education in the same region before embarking on a political and religious journey that would eventually place him alongside the country's heavyweights.
   
   Like many of his contemporaries, he fought against the apartheid system and was a member of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
   
   This operated in the 1970s and 80s when many liberation movements, including the African National Congress, were banned.
   
   As leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu were imprisoned, he joined those who carried on the struggle for South Africa's liberation.
   
   Cope's President Mosiuoa Lekota was in the same organisation.
   
   Supporters cheer at Cope's founding conference in Bloemfontein, 16 Dec 2008
   ANC dissidents split off to form Cope in December
   
   Bishop Dandala may be new in post-apartheid politics but he has impressive credentials.

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