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04 Mar, 2026
The UDM and President Holomisa mourns the passing of Ntate Mosiuoa Lekota
Statement by President of the United Democratic Movement, Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa, MP I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of Ntate Mosiuoa Lekota, a veteran of our liberation struggle and a steadfast servant of the people of South Africa. His life mirrors the difficult but determined journey of our nation towards freedom and democracy. In the period leading to our democratic breakthrough in 1994, Ntate Lekota played a significant leadership role within the liberation movement, particularly through his involvement in the United Democratic Front. Following the advent of democracy in 1994, he served as Premier of the Free State, helping to stabilise governance structures in a newly liberated South Africa. Of course, Lekota later had differences with the African National Congress (ANC). I recall when he remarked that he had “served the divorce papers” to the ANC. When he left the ANC, the Congress of the People (COPE) was formed, which was welcomed news to those of us on the opposition benches. At the time I observed that the advantage of COPE was that it was comprised of people who understood the history and passage of the struggle. Their contribution in Parliament would therefore be significant, as they would remind South Africans that the project of the struggle had been hijacked by unscrupulous elements within the ruling party. Indeed, the commissions of inquiry that followed later confirmed many of those concerns. Throughout his political life, Mosiuoa Lekota remained a firm believer in constitutionalism, accountability and open democratic discourse. On behalf of the United Democratic Movement, I extend our sincere condolences to Ntate Lekota’s family, his friends and his comrades. May they find strength and comfort during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.
