The Congress of the People (Cope) on Sunday upped the stakes for the coveted Indian vote when its president Mosiuoa Lekota made an early morning visit to Durban's Chatsworth suburb.

"Chatsworth is a significant area and I came here to meet people and familiarise them with our agenda for new hope and change," Lekota told Sapa outside the Christian Revival Centre (CRC).

"We want the Indian people to know that they are as much in our thoughts as the rest of society".

Chatsworth was a stable community, but more should be done to improve living conditions, he said.

Lekota received a warm welcome in the rain was seen greeting church-goers at random with a handshake.

Hitting out at corruption

Earlier, he gave a sermon in the packed church, hitting out at corruption and immorality in society.

He said leaders had to be able to set an example, and that the fibre of society was being eroded by immorality and immoral leaders.

Religious institutions should also not be a platform for political agendas, he said.

During the service, several ANC members could be seen keeping an eye on the happenings.

Outside church, Lekota said he agreed with the sentiments of United Democratic Movement (UDM) President Bantu Holomisa that South Africa needed to put an end to one-party dominance.

On Saturday, Holomisa addressed hundreds of supporters in KwaMagoda, the heartland of rural KwaZulu-Natal saying it was time to end one-party dominance.

"It is because of one-party dominance that the ruling party has grown so arrogant. It is because they believe that they will rule eternally that they no longer think it is necessary to consult with people," Holomisa said.

Lekota spoke briefly about controversial African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema, saying he was "not well brought up".

"Sadly, the ANC leadership is not playing its role in cultivating him.

They are allowing and encouraging him to do as he pleases," he said. "He is destroying the ANC."

CRC priest Dr Paul Lutchman said Lekota was a humble man who received a heroes welcome in Chatsworth.

Charismatic speaker

"He is a charismatic speaker who has touched the hearts of the people in Chatsworth by addressing the bread and butter issues.

"We see him not as a promise-maker, but a promise-keeper," said Lutchman.

By 9am, the Cope leader and his delegation had left the venue and were heading to Clermont, roughly 15 kilometres away.

Lekota said he was only in Durban for one day and wanted to visit Clermont because it was where he used to reside.

"I want to go there and visit my old parish. I always think of Clermont when I'm in Durban."

Local metro police said although rival political party members were at the venue, no incidents of violence had been reported.