President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the late former Minister of Defence and leader of the Congress of the People (COPE), Mosiuoa Patrick Lekota, will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2.
Lekota passed away on Wednesday, 4 March, following an illness. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, 14 March.
Mosioua Lekota Legacy
The veteran politician stepped back from active politics last year to focus on his health after the party revealed that he was battling an undisclosed illness.
Lekota, who served the nation as a struggle activist, inaugural Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Premier of the Free State, Minister of Defence, and co-founder of the Congress of the People, passed away at the age of 77.
State Funeral Details
In recognition of his contribution to the country, President Ramaphosa has declared that Lekota will be accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 2, which will take place in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 14 March.
The funeral will include ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service.
President Ramaphosa has also directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations from the morning of Saturday, 7 March, until the evening of the funeral on 14 March.
Some of Lekota’s notable roles include:
- Premier of the Free State
- Minister of Defence
- Co-founder of the Congress of the People
For more information on Mosiuoa Lekota’s life and legacy, visit the Government of South Africa website or the News24 website.
President Ramaphosa has extended his heartfelt condolences to Mosiuoa Lekota’s family, the Congress of the People, and Lekota’s comrades and associates across the political spectrum.
He paid tribute to Lekota as “a patriot, freedom fighter, and servant of the people whose life story is closely intertwined with our journey of struggle and the realisation of democracy.”
“We honour him especially for his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa.
“We deeply value his service to his home province, where he served as Premier, and to our armed forces and national security in his role as Minister of Defence,” Ramaphosa said.
