Friends, comrades remember Lekota’s as ‘brave pioneer’
Former comrades and friends have paid tribute to Mosiuoa Lekota, describing him as a pioneer in the fight for freedom.
The memorial service of the founding president of the Congress of the People (COPE) was held at the Regina Mundi Catholic church in Soweto, on Wednesday.
Lekota died at a Johannesburg hospital last week at the age of 77.
Among the dignitaries at the memorial was the deputy secretary general of Lekota’s former political home, the African National Congress, Nomvula Mokonyane and United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa.
The former minister of international relations Naledi Pandor and former member of Parliament Mbuyiseni Ndlozi were also attended the service.
Reflecting on his legacy Pandor lauded Lekota’s work as a lawmaker, and his bold stance against his former party.
“He’ll be remembered for pioneering the establishment of the National Council of Provinces and also for being so bold as to create a party that would contest his own home; the ANC.”
Her sentiments were echoed by director at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Neeshan Bolton: “His breaking to form COPE, opened up the political space for people to think about their political alignments for seriously and not to take it as a given that their votes were owed to anybody because of past historical allegiances.”
Lekota will be buried in a state funeral this coming Saturday.
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ANC senior member and former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor reflects on the life of Lekota. pic.twitter.com/8P9ZqtnqRY
— Jacaranda FM Newswatch (@JacaNewswatch) March 11, 2026
