Lekota was a principled leader who spoke uncomfortable truths: Mashatile

The late COPE president Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota was described as a fearless freedom fighter who confronted injustice. Lekota, 77, died last Wednesday and was laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Saturday after a funeral service attended by cabinet ministers, former ministers and members of the Free State provincial executive led by premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae. Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered the eulogy and described Lekota as a principled leader of integrity and courage.

Lekota’s integrity was not for sale “nor was his commitment to the downtrodden found wavering”. “He knew that the measure of a leader is not how long he holds office but how faithfully he served the covenant of congress,” Mashatile said. He said Lekota was among those who “carried the heavy burden of resistance” during the struggle against apartheid.

Lekota was also a principled defender of the constitution and constitutionalism. He fought for equality and economic justice with the same determination he had while fighting for freedom. “He was determined to create opportunities for every child to learn, for every worker to earn a decent living and for every family to live with dignity,” Mashatile said.

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Former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe were among those who attended Lekota’s funeral service at the Old Grey Sports Club in Bloemfontein. President Cyril Ramaphosa was a notable absentee despite having declared a special official category two funeral for the late COPE leader.

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