With the rise of Zuma as President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has come a breakaway party, the Congress of the People (COPE). Comprising mostly senior politicians defeated in the 2008 ANC leadership elections, COPE holds the promise to become a substantial challenger to the ANC because of its shared liberation credential and constituencies. As regards broader debates, the article holds that COPE’s affirmation of a constituency‐based electoral system and enhanced Presidentialism is a defensive rather than a principled position, and may inadvertently bolster populist Presidentialism in the future. Further, COPE’s emergence as the ANC’s alter ego threatens to enhance political intolerance and violence as the ANC’s assumptions about its exclusive right to represent the nation are called into question. The conflict is one of faith as much as interest. Lastly, enhanced competition might be as much a threat to democratic consolidation as a boon, if rivalry descends into violent conflict. However, much depends on economic growth and COPE’s emergence could well signal a more open and competitive democracy.