Prominent business man Saki Macozoma has officially joined the Congress of the People (Cope), the SABC reported on Saturday.

Macozoma, a former Robben Island prisoner and former MP, made the announcement in Port Elizabeth where he was attending a Cope rally, led by the party's presidential candidate Reverend Mvume Dandala.

The party is currently doing door-to-door canvassing ahead of next-week's by-elections in the Western Cape.

"For all of us who have been involved with the ANC for a long time, have always understood that the ANC was a vehicle that could carry out the hopes of the people of South Africa," said Macozoma.

"I have come to the conclusion that is not possible at the current circumstances and I think the country needs an alternative . It needs an alternative voice and it needs an alternative government, " Macozoma told SABC.