The newly-established Congress of the People party says it is on a "massive recruitment drive" and very encouraged by the levels of support it is getting.

Following its convention in Sandton earlier this month, the most urgent task at the moment was to establish structures ahead of the party's official launch in Bloemfontein on 16 December, the COP said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We urge all our members to organise community, public and house meetings and discuss with like-minded South Africans what needs to be done to realise the vision outlined in our Constitution."

The COP also welcomed the "recent spate of ANC councillors" into its ranks.

"We welcome them and we want to reassure them that we will be working full-steam ahead to ensure that they emerge victorious in the upcoming by-elections," it said.

The party also said it was confident it would meet all the requirements for registration with the Independent Electoral Commission, which would be completed by the end of the week.

"The top leadership will soon be visiting all provinces to make sure that there is uniformity on how provinces develop their provincial policy platforms, including how delegates will be nominated to attend conference," it said.

Sapa