Cope leader Mvume Dandala returned to the village of his birth outside Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape on Friday to appeal for votes on 22 April.

Dandala received a loud cheer from the crowd of around 3000 who had gathered in the hot sun in Siphundu village.

"You know me, I want you to trust me," Dandala said.

"I'm sorry that fifteen years after we achieved our freedom you are still living in squalor. I know this because I grew up here."

Dandala blamed the poverty in the area on corruption and incompetence.

One of the major problems in the Mount Ayliff region is a shortage of water. It is widely believed to be one of the poorest regions in South Africa.

On Saturday Dandala is due to visit Mthatha where he will do a walk in a local village before addressing a rally.

One man who wanted only to be identified as Jonas said Cope was his first choice. He said very little had changed and the party was giving him hope.

"I trust Mr Dandala very much. He is a very good man," he said.

Sapa

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