South African anti-apartheid activist and politician Mosiuoa Lekota has died at the age of 77, his party, the Congress of the People (COPE), confirmed in a statement on Wednesday. Lekota had stepped back from active politics after a period of illness.
Lekota was a prominent figure in South Africa’s liberation movement, beginning as a student activist in the 1970s and serving jail time on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela. He earned the nickname “Terror” for his fearsome skills on the soccer pitch as a young man.
A close ally of former President Thabo Mbeki, Lekota served as South Africa’s Defence Minister from 1999 to 2008. He left the African National Congress (ANC) in protest after Mbeki’s ousting and the rise of Jacob Zuma, co-founding COPE in 2008.
COPE made a strong debut in South Africa’s 2009 general elections, winning roughly 7% of the vote, but its support has since declined to below 1% in subsequent elections. Despite this, Lekota remained a respected voice in South African politics, known for his principled stance and commitment to the nation’s democratic values.
Lekota’s death marks the passing of a generation of leaders who fought directly against apartheid and shaped South Africa’s transition to democracy. Tributes have begun to pour in, reflecting his legacy as both a liberation hero and a steadfast public servant.
