SAFTU pays tribute to struggle veteran Mosiuoa 'Terror' Lekota
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has expressed deep sadness at the passing of struggle veteran and former COPE president, Mosiuoa ’Terror’ Lekota.
The trade union federation described him as a committed democrat who dedicated his life to South Africa’s liberation and constitutional order.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, comrades, and colleagues in the Congress of the People, as well as to all those in the broader democratic movement who worked alongside him over many decades of struggle,” SAFTU said in a statement on Wednesday.
It said Lekota’s life "cannot be understood outside the broader traditions of the African National Congress and the United Democratic Front," noting that he belonged to a generation that carried "the enormous burden of confronting apartheid at great personal cost."
The federation highlighted his imprisonment during apartheid and his role within the United Democratic Front (UDF), which it described as a powerful mass democratic movement that united civic organisations, churches, youth and women’s formations, and trade unions.
"Together, they helped build the internal resistance that ultimately made apartheid ungovernable," SAFTU said, referencing leaders such as Archie Gumede, Albertina Sisulu, Frank Chikane, Popo Molefe, Murphy Morobe, Cheryl Carolus, Beyers Naudé, Allan Boesak, Trevor Manuel and Mewa Ramgobin, alongside Lekota.
Reflecting on the 2008 political split from the African National Congress, SAFTU said history would record the moment that led Lekota and others to form COPE following the recall of former President Thabo Mbeki and the rise of Jacob Zuma.
"Whether one agreed or disagreed with that decision, it reflected Lekota’s conviction that South Africa’s democracy required internal debate, accountability, and adherence to constitutional principles."
SAFTU acknowledged that COPE, which initially generated hope among many South Africans, later weakened due to internal divisions.
"It is also a matter of record that the new formation, COPE, which initially generated enormous hope among many South Africans, was tragically weakened by internal divisions and factional struggles that buried the project at a very early stage of its life."
The federation described Lekota as a committed democrat who believed deeply in constitutional governance and open political contestation, adding that while he was often regarded as a conservative voice within the ANC tradition.
"This should not overshadow his immense contribution to the liberation struggle and to the shaping of South Africa’s democratic discourse.
"For his sacrifices, his years of imprisonment, his participation in the UDF-led mass democratic struggle, and his long service in public life, the people of South Africa remain indebted to him.
"As the country reflects on his life, we hope that this moment will also encourage renewed appreciation for the collective generation of leaders who helped bring democracy to South Africa and who paid a heavy personal price for that freedom."
Lekota passed away at the age of 77 after a period of illness.
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