The late former Minister of Defence, co-founder, and President of the Congress of the People (COPE) party, Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota, was prepared for burial on Saturday, 14 January. He had passed away on Wednesday. The late politician was laid to rest in Bloemfontein, Free State, following a Special Official Funeral Category Two Service attended by Cabinet ministers, former ministers, provincial politicians such as Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, as well as family and friends of the deceased.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered the eulogy and described Lekota as a principled leader of integrity and courage. “Ntate Lekota was a man who told the truth even when it was uncomfortable. He did not chase popular acclaim. He chased justice,” Mashatile said. Lekota’s integrity was not for sale “nor was his commitment to the downtrodden found wavering”. “He knew that the measure of a leader is not how long he holds office but how faithfully he served the covenant of congress,” Mashatile said.
He said Lekota was among those who “carried the heavy burden of resistance” during the struggle against apartheid.
Lekota was also a principled defender of the constitution and constitutionalism.
He fought for equality and economic justice with the same determination he had while fighting for freedom.
Lekota was a close ally and loyal supporter of former President Thabo Mbeki, best remembered for leaving the African National Congress (ANC) to establish the COPE party alongside Mbazima Shilowa. The party, which once held the third-largest number of seats during the early years of President Jacob Zuma’s administration, has since fallen out of favour at the polls.
Lekota was regarded as an honest politician who cared deeply about the interests of ordinary people. This rare quality was shaped during his younger years as a freedom fighter in the struggle against apartheid.
However, his leadership of the COPE party was marred by internal divisions and poor management. The party’s influence among the public diminished, and disunity within its leadership ultimately led to its decline. Lekota and Shilowa were unable to “cope” with the challenges and failures that followed.
“He [Lekota] committed his youthful years to the struggle for freedom. He endured persecution and imprisonment because he believed that the dignity of our people was not negotiable,” Mbalula said. Mbalula said when Lekota infamously “served the ANC with divorce papers”, the former Free State premier had felt that the ANC “had veered from its very values”. “Sometimes this very commitment to principles meant that he stood apart and was misunderstood sometimes — it meant that he spoke some uncomfortable truths,” Mbalula said. COPE interim leader Teboho Loate told mourners Lekota spoke the truth irrespective of the consequences. Speaking on behalf of the Lekota family, Tshehla Lekota said despite many high positions the former defence minister occupied he remained humble and approachable to the family.
“The red carpet could be rolled out wherever he went but funny enough in the family, despite all that, he never showed or demonstrated even the smallest sign that he was that high person,” Tshehla said.
Lekota may have been a man of influence, but he was also hardworking and humble. The schism he led from the ANC may not have succeeded, yet it exposed the rot within the party that would fester for a long time under Zuma. Times have indeed changed since Mbeki’s ouster in 2008. With the rise of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK), the ANC has eventually lost its hold on the electorate. Whether this has been for better or worse remains to be seen.
Lekota himself was not a bitter man; he was always willing to build new partnerships. His party initially strived for electoral reform but suffered its greatest setback when that reform finally came to fruition. COPE would never be part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Nonetheless, Lekota was never prideful through thick and thin. He always kept his feet firmly on the ground and strove to apply common sense. His legacy was not only one of strength but also of forming close relationships with everyone he encountered.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
