By Teboho Moloi
BLOEMFONTEIN – Former Free State premier Sefora Sisi Ntombela has paid tribute to late Congress of the People (COPE) co-founder Mosiuoa Lekota, describing him as a brave, principled and courageous political leader who helped shape South Africa’s democracy.
Lekota (77) died in a Johannesburg hospital on Wednesday, 4 March, after a long illness. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, 14 March.
Ntombela, who served alongside Lekota in the Free State government, said he would be remembered for his unwavering commitment to justice and for mentoring generations of political leaders.
“He played a historic role in helping the African National Congress establish and strengthen democratic governance in the Free State after the dawn of democracy in 1994,” she said.
Lekota became the first democratically elected premier of the Free State and later served the country as Minister of Defence.
“Even during fierce political rivalry, Ntate Lekota remained cordial, friendly and respectful – a reminder that political differences should never weaken our shared commitment to the people of South Africa,” Ntombela added.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that Lekota will receive a Special Official Funeral Category 2, with ceremonial honours provided by the South African Police Service.
Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae said Lekota’s leadership helped shape the character of the country’s young democracy.She described his tenure as premier from 1994 to 1996 as a period of “foundational labour”.
“He laid the cornerstone of our provincial administration, championed reconciliation and began the long task of building a government that served all its people.
The province has lost a founding father. Ntate Lekota’s passing is a deep personal loss to every citizen of this province. Despite his later political differences, he remained one of us,” she said.
Lekota entered politics at a young age through the Black Consciousness Movement and became a leader in the South African Students’ Organisation.
His activism led to imprisonment on Robben Island during the apartheid era.
He later served as chairperson of the National Council of Provinces from 1997 to 1999 and as national chairperson of the African National Congress from 1997 to 2007.
Lekota was Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2008 before breaking away with other former ANC leaders to form the opposition party Congress of the People in 2008.
