The Passing of a Giant: Tributes Pour in for COPE Co-Founder Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota
- Southerton Business Times
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Mosiuoa Lekota died with a painful heart because of the negative state of affairs in the country, said one of his close associates, Dennis Bloem, following the death of the Congress of the People (Cope) co-founder on Wednesday morning.
Bloem, who is also a former member of parliament for the Congress of the People, told The Citizen that Lekota predicted that the country would be negatively impacted by the ANC’s decision to elect Jacob Zuma as president of the ANC. He was also against the recall of Thabo Mbeki from the Union Buildings by the ANC.
The "Prophet" of Polokwane
“He said at the Polokwane conference in 2007, the ANC is taking a wrong route; he warned that the ANC is going to destroy the country if it elects Jacob Zuma as the president. Look what is happening now, he was 100% correct, everybody can see that he was a prophet. He was a real, real prophet that people have not seen before. He could read the signs of the time," said Bloem.
“He predicted the chaos that is happening today. Look now what is coming out of these commissions; he was 100% correct.”
A Struggle Veteran in His Own Right
Bloem said even though Lekota chose to leave the ANC in 2008, he is a struggle veteran in his own right. “It is a sad day for the entire country. We have lost a giant, a true revolutionary. Comrade Terror was not just a person that was speaking slogans and did not practice what he preached. He did everything in his power to overthrow the apartheid government; he put his life on the line for this country.”
He described Lekota as humble and very dedicated to public service.
“He had true character, and at some point, he was facing the death penalty in the Delmas Treason Trial, but he never looked back, and he never abandoned the struggle until the day of freedom came. Today, his freedom day has come; he is no more. He will always be a hero to me.”
Cope Statement and Political Condolences
In a statement on Wednesday, Cope confirmed Lekota’s death, appealing for the media to give the family space.
“The party will regularly issue media statements to inform the nation about developments… on behalf of the leadership, membership and supporters of Cope, we extend our deepest condolences to the Lekota family.”
Political parties across the spectrum issued messages of support:
Rise Mzansi: Spokesperson Mabine Seabe urged South Africa to remember Lekota for his principled positions. “Rest in peace, leader! Lala ngoxolo.”
Democratic Alliance (DA): Described Lekota as a patriot who stood firmly for constitutionalism, accountability, and democratic values.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): Sinawo Thambo acknowledged Lekota’s time as a liberation activist and political prisoner. “May his soul rest in revolutionary peace.”
Lekota was the first premier of the Free State province after the 1994 elections and held various senior positions in the National Assembly and the Cabinet.
Mosiuoa Lekota death
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