WATCH | ‘A life of courage and justice’: Ramaphosa remembers Mosiuoa Lekota

Lekota

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed “profound sadness” at the passing of Mosiuoa Lekota, describing him as a patriot whose life was intertwined with South Africa’s liberation and democratic journey.

Lekota, who died at the age of 77 at a hospital in Midrand on Wednesday, was a veteran anti-apartheid activist. Born in Kroonstad in 1948, he was active in the South African Students’ Organisation and later became a leading figure in the United Democratic Front (UDF). He was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1974 for eight years alongside leaders including Nelson Mandela.

After his release in 1982, Lekota continued his activism and was later convicted in the Delmas Treason Trial, although the conviction was overturned in 1989. In the democratic era, he served as the first Premier of the Free State, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, and Minister of Defence before founding the Congress of the People (COPE) in 2008.

Ramaphosa reflected on their long association, noting they first met at university where both were expelled for political activism, and later worked together in the African National Congress (ANC).

“We met at University and we were both expelled from the university for political activism. We met again when we were both at the ANC, he became a minister in our government. He went off, and he formed his own organisation. He was a committed South African, he loved this country,” the president said.

In his tribute, Ramaphosa said: “South Africa has lost a patriot, a freedom fighter, and a servant of the people whose life story is closely intertwined with our journey of struggle and the realisation of democracy.

“His life was one of resilience, courage, and steadfast belief in justice.

“We honour him especially for his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa.

“We deeply value his service to his home province where he served as Premier and to our Armed Forces and our national security, in his role as Minister of Defence.

“He was instrumental in the establishment of the National Council of Provinces which added a new dimension of democratic inclusion to our parliamentary system and ensured communities all over our country could be heard and represented in our national legislature.

“His establishment of the Congress of the People reflected his commitment to the values and principles by which he had lived, and it added to the diversity of choices presented to the electorate as our democracy matured.

“We will remember Mosiuoa for his patriotism, his intellect, and his personable nature, and we will continue to work for the inclusive, non-racial South Africa for which he sacrificed so much and worked so passionately.”

Article written by