Willie Madisha honors late COPE founder Mosiuoa Lekota

A 77-year-old liberation veteran's death forced South Africa to reckon with a political life defined by zero-compromise conviction.

Willie Madisha's tribute to Lekota

• Willie Madisha praised Mosiuoa Lekota's unshakable principles.
• Lekota once publicly corrected Mandela at a congress.
• Madisha acknowledged later disagreements but kept deep respect.
• Their bond outlasted political friction within COPE.

Lekota's anti-apartheid roots

• Mosiuoa Lekota was born in Kroonstad in 1948.
• His expulsion from university followed student-politics involvement.
• Robben Island became his reality after 1974 rally organizing.
• Delmas Treason Trial kept him locked up until 1988.

Post-democracy career highlights

• Lekota became the Free State's first Premier after 1994.
• Thabo Mbeki tapped him as Defence Minister in 1999.
• His ANC National Chairperson tenure ran from 1997 to 2007.

COPE's founding and Lekota's loyalty

• Lekota ditched the ANC and co-founded COPE in 2008.
• Anti-corruption and better governance drove the new party.
• Shrinking support never pushed him to abandon COPE.
• He refused to rejoin politics, clashing with the Constitution.

Final chapter and passing

• Lekota stepped away from active politics in August 2025.
• His death came on 4 March 2026 in Midrand, Johannesburg.
• COPE labeled the loss devastating for the party and country.
• His family requested privacy during their grieving period.