The Kroonstad-born Mosiua Lekota died in the early hours of Wednesday (3/4) after a period of illness. Lekota served as the first premier of the Free State from 1994 to 1996. He later founded the Congress of the People (Cope), leading the party as its president and remaining an influential voice in national politics for decades.

His body arrived in Bloemfontein on Thursday, where he will be laid to rest. Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae confirmed the provincial government will host a memorial service in his honour. “We are going to have a memorial service. 

“Ntate Lekota was the first premier of the Free State, and in honour of his name, I believe that this memorial service should be taken to Kroonstad, where he was born. (Next) Friday, we are taking integrated service delivery (to Kroonstad). Without hesitation, we will have activities in the province to honour ntate Lekota,” said Letsoha-Mathae.

His family indicated the funeral is expected to take place between next Friday and Saturday. Family spokesperson Pitso Sekhoto said they are not mourning but celebrating Lekota’s life, having nursed him for the past two months as his health deteriorated.

The premier said Lekota played a major role in securing the freedom South Africans enjoy today and that his legacy must be honoured. She described him as a firm leader and someone to rely on in decision-making.

“Wherever you met ntate Lekota, you could hear someone who is still passionate about this province. He was a father, he was an activist, he was a leader, he was a husband, he was a grandfather to some of us, so his political affiliation did not affect how we related with ntate Lekota,” she said.

Founding president of Cope

During the apartheid era, Lekota was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, but his conviction and those of his fellow accused were overturned in 1989. In the democratic era, he became a long-serving member and national chairperson of the ANC.

He served as the inaugural chairperson of the National Council of Provinces from 1997 to 1999, and was appointed minister of defence in 1999, a position he held until 2008, when he became the founding president of Cope.

The Free State government is expected to announce further details regarding the memorial service in the coming days.

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OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi