The late Ntate Mosiuoa Lekota was born in Kroonstad in the Free State. In the 70’s he studied at the University of the North, known as Turfloop today. It is well known that he was expelled from Turfloop because of his involvement in politics.
His nickname, ‘Terror’, was derived from his ability and skill with the football at his feet.
Mr Lekota eventually led the South African Students Organisation (SASO) which in effect caused him to be banished to Robben Island where he met the Late former president Nelson Mandela along with many other political prisoners.
He was part of the team that put our current Constitution together. Many knew him as the defender of the Constitution. He was a man of conviction, that is why he and his friends decided to leave the ANC following the watershed Polokwane conference in 2007, and form the Congress of the People, better known as COPE.
I respected Ntate Lekota because of his strong conviction. He was a man who stood firmly for what he believed in. One thing that I would like to mention is that after having been appointed as the first Premier of the Free State, he was then later removed as Premier because he allegedly pointed out corruption amongst his colleagues.
He then followed on to serve with diligence as the first Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). We also note that Mr Lekota served as the Chairperson of the ANC, and later as Minister of Defence – a portfolio he held for almost nine years.
After he broke away from the ANC there were scandals of corruption, and when people were pointed out as participants Mr Lekota’s name was not mentioned amongst them. It is commendable that Ntate Lekota has passed on leaving a legacy that is not shrouded in corruption.
I pray that his family will be comforted by the Lord, and that they will be healed from the pain of losing a dear Father and Husband.
The ACDP salutes Ntate Lekota for not being implicated in any form of corruption during his lifetime.
