eMBALENHLE – The newly formed Disabled and Older persons Political Party (DOPP), recently held its two-day provincial meeting at th eMbalenhle Sasol Club.
This party said as it will be their first time to participate in the political arena, they need to prepare its members for a new era of their life.
They first needed to familiarise themselves with how the Independent Electoral Commission works, campaigning strategies and how they are going to compete as the disabled against other well-known political organisations.
“We want to come up with our way of doing things, some of our members are new in the political field and need to adapt to it,” said Mr Doctor Mayisela, DOPP president.
“Previously we were represented by people who are not physically impaired and who do not experience challenges faced by us as disabled people.
“We received our certificate from the IEC, now is time for us to be prepared for our first trial.”
They claim their membership is growing every day because they are the first disabled political party in the country, if not the in the world.
Mr Mayisela said they will contest every ward because they know that they have members in all wards and no one must limit them. Other challenges that might stand in their way are funds.
Mr Mayisela also said they will visit the IEC soon to check if there is training available to help them prepare for the coming local elections on 27 October.
“Our provincial meeting gave us direction on where to begin and to equip our field workers with the required knowledge of politics, though it will take time.
“We will have our own candidated for councillors and mayor, we know this space will be interesting for us,” concluded Mr Mayisela.