By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared Special Official Funeral Category 2 to honour the late Congress of the People (COPE) leader and co-founder, Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota.
Lekota, also known as Terror, died on Wednesday at 77. He served South Africa as a struggle activist, the inaugural chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), premier of the Free State, minister of defence, and co-founder of the Congress of the People (Cope).
Lekota’s body arrived in Bloemfontein on Thursday, where he will be laid to rest. His family indicated the funeral will take place between on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
His funeral will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service (Saps) in Bloemfontein, Free State.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Lekota had served the nation throughout his life, starting as an anti-apartheid activist, the inaugural chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Premier of the Free State, Minister of Defence, and co-founder of Cope.
“President Ramaphosa reiterates his deep condolences to the Lekota family, the Congress of the People and Lekota’s comrades and associates across the political spectrum,” he said.
Ramaphosa directed all flag stations to fly the national flag at half-mast starting tomorrow morning, Saturday, 7 March. This will continue until the evening of the funeral.
As tributes poured in this week, the overarching message was that he left a legacy in the struggle against apartheid. He also contributed greatly to South Africa’s democracy.
In the democratic government, in addition to chairing the NCOP and being Free State premier, Lekota became ANC national chair elected alongside Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki had replaced Mandela as African National Congress (ANC) president in 1997.
He served under Mbeki as minister of defence from 1999 until 2008, when he resigned and then quit the ANC, along with his former defence deputy, Mluleki George, and Cosatu president Willie Madisha, to form a new party.