A breakaway faction of South Africa's ANC which poses the first serious challenge to the ruling party today named pro-business former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota as its president.
The Congress of the People (Cope) was formed by centrists loyal to former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who was ousted by the ANC in September.
It seeks to capitalise on anxiety among middle class voters and business over the influence of trade unions and communists in the ANC, which traditionally portrays itself as representative of all South Africans.
Mr Lekota said the new party would work for sustained economic growth and would fight poverty and unemployment.
Cope named Mbhazima Shilowa, the former premier of Gauteng province, the business hub around Johannesburg, as its first deputy president.
The party plans to contest the next general election, expected in March 2009, and has ignored initial suggestions by ANC leaders for rapprochement.
Mr Lekota resigned his post as defence minister after the ANC, led by Jacob Zuma, ousted Mr Mbeki as state president in September. Mr Zuma's camp had accused Mr Mbeki of trying to use a corruption case to ruin his rival's political career.
Reuters