MPs hail Lekota as a patriotic man of conviction

Parties across the political spectrum in the National Assembly on Tuesday put their differences aside to pay a glowing tribute to COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota. Speaker after speaker hailed the former minister of defence as a true patriot who was driven by a conviction in his own ideas. The National Assembly kicked off its proceedings on Tuesday with tributes to Lekota, who had also served as the first chairperson of one of the houses of parliament, the National Council of Provinces between 1997 and 1999.

DA MP Werner Horn, who is also one of the National Assembly house chairpersons, lauded Lekota for how he had conducted himself when he became the first premier of a divided Free State in 1994. “As the first premier of the Free State in 1994 he displayed immense emotional intelligence, faced with the task of uniting a province, which like all other provinces at that time, was deeply scared and divided. “His warmth and ability to speak to everybody in their mother tongue and his passion for the Free State, won over even the most sceptical.

“Mr Lekota also understood the unifying power of sport long before it became fashionable, training in those days with the Free State rugby team and Bloemfontein Celtic.” Horn also reflected on Lekota’s decision to defect from the ANC in 2008 to co-establish his party, COPE, pointing out that Lekota was not one to “be bogged down” by dominant ideas. “This led to him playing a leading role in establishing the Congress of the People, reflecting his conviction that democracy requires not only loyalty to democratic institutions but also the courage to follow one’s conscience. He played the role of holding the executive to account vigorously but also constructively.” MK Party MP Des van Rooyen expressed similar sentiments “May his courage, his patriotism, his bravery, his unwavering commitment to the truth continue to inspire future generations of South Africa, rest in peace Mr Lekota. You have accomplished your mission …”