The late struggle veteran Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota will be remembered as a principled leader who remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice and service to the people, said Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Delivering the eulogy at Lekota’s Special Official Funeral Category 2 in Bloemfontein on Saturday 14 March, Mashatile said the former Defence Minister was known for his courage to speak the truth, even when it was unpopular.
“Ntate Lekota was a man who told the truth, even when it was uncomfortable. He did not chase popular acclaim; he chased justice. His integrity was not for sale, nor was his commitment to the downtrodden found wavering.
“He believed that the true measure of our liberation was not in the opulence of the few but in the dignity of the poor,” the Deputy President said.
Mashatile delivered the eulogy on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the funeral held at the Old Grey Sports Club.
Lekota passed away on 4 March 2026 at the age of 77.
The Deputy President described Lekota as a towering figure of South Africa’s liberation struggle whose political journey spanned several defining moments in the country’s history.
He noted that Lekota began his activism in the 1970s through the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO), where he championed Black Consciousness and mobilised communities against apartheid.
Lekota was later imprisoned on Robben Island alongside several struggle leaders, including former President Nelson Mandela.
“From his youth, through the United Democratic Front and into government, his journey was marked by sacrifice and service,” the Deputy President said.
In the democratic era, Lekota served as the first Premier of the Free State between 1994 and 1996, where he played a key role in establishing the province’s first democratic administration.
He later became the inaugural chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and served as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2008.
Deputy President Mashatile said during his tenure as Defence Minister, Lekota helped shape a defence force committed to protecting democracy and peace.
“He envisioned a [South African National] Defence Force not as an instrument of repression, but as a guardian of democracy and peace, a vision that continues to guide us today. In guiding the SANDF, the former Minister ensured that the instruments of war became guardians of peace, transforming them into protectors of a democracy still in its infancy.
“His vision was clear: that the strength of a nation lies not in its weapons, but in its ability to reconcile, to heal, and to live in harmony,” the Deputy President said.
He also reflected on Lekota’s role in founding the Congress of the People (COPE), describing him as a leader who remained guided by principle throughout his political career.
He said Lekota consistently reminded leaders that democracy required integrity, vigilance and a commitment to improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
“He was clear that corruption robs the poor, inequality divides the nation, and unemployment steals hope. He challenged us to confront these realities with honesty and courage, and to govern not for ourselves but for the millions who look to democracy as a promise of a better life,” the Deputy President said.
He added that Lekota’s passing during Human Rights Month should prompt reflection on the country’s progress in addressing inequality, unemployment and gender-based violence.
“We can state without hesitation that Honourable Lekota’s footprint is indelible in the milestones of our democracy. His hand is evident in the triumph of universal suffrage, in the expansion of housing and healthcare, in the opening of classrooms and the provision of social grants,” he said.
The Deputy President extended condolences to the Lekota family, thanking them for sharing a leader who dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom and democracy.
