Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota Family, friends and political leaders will gather in Bloemfontein on Saturday, March 14, to pay their final respects to Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota, the former Defence Minister, COPE founder, and veteran anti-apartheid activist.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers.
Family, friends and fellow politicians will say their final goodbyes to the late former Minister of Defence and Congress of the People (COPE) leader, Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota, who will be buried with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Lekota would be honoured with a Special Official Funeral, recognising his decades of service to the nation.
“Lekota served South Africa as a struggle activist, inaugural Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Premier of the Free State, Minister of Defence, and co-founder of COPE,” Ramaphosa said.
He passed away on March 4, at the age of 77
Lekota’s death was confirmed by COPE last week, following a brief period of illness.
Scores of mourners, including political leaders and activists, gathered at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto on Wednesday to pay their last respects.
The memorial service was filled with reflections on Lekota’s immense contributions to South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero highlighted Lekota’s unwavering commitment to the country’s liberation.
“He remained a man of clear conviction and was often outspoken,” Morero said.
“We must remember that the freedom we enjoy today was not easy. He accepted hardship so that future generations could inherit democracy. We honour him for building a non-racial and non-sexist society.”
Ahead of the service, ANC NEC member and former minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, described Lekota as a robust and fearless parliamentarian.
“He will be missed for his contribution and his stubborn resistance, and for establishing the National Council of Provinces,” Pandor said.
“He will also be remembered for boldly creating a party that challenged his former political home, the ANC. In Parliament, he was frank and consistent, never afraid to confront uncomfortable issues.”
Born in the Free State, Lekota began his political journey as a leading organiser of the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO).
He was later detained and sent to Robben Island, joining the ranks of political prisoners who shaped the country’s democratic future.
South Africa prepares to honour the late Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota on 14 March with a Special Official Funeral in Bloemfontein. The former Minister of Defence, COPE co-founder, and struggle veteran left a legacy spanning decades of service to the nation.
Image: Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
A second memorial service was held in Bloemfontein on Thursday ahead of the funeral in the Free State capital.
Ramaphosa extended his condolences to Lekota’s family, COPE, and his comrades across the political spectrum.
“We honour him as a patriot, freedom fighter, and servant of the people, whose life story is closely intertwined with our journey of struggle and the realisation of democracy,” the president said.
“We especially value his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa. His service to his home province, as Premier, and to our Armed Forces as Minister of Defence, will not be forgotten.”
Lekota’s funeral will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the National Flag will be flown at half-mast at all stations from Saturday morning, March 7, until the evening of the funeral on March 14.
Family, community members, and politicians are expected to gather in Bloemfontein to lay Lekota to his final resting place.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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