Acting Congress of the People (COPE) President Teboho Loate has called for a renewed political landscape for the betterment of all South Africans. Loate made this statement as the African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Working Committee and the Free State Government visited the home of the late COPE leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, who served as the first Premier of the Free State.

Legacy of Unity and Dignity

Loate emphasized that honoring Lekota’s memory could be a beautiful way to pay respect to a man who believed in a united objective for the betterment of all South Africans. The visit by the ANC Provincial Workers Committee (PWC) and the provincial government, under the leadership of Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, was a gesture of solidarity with Lekota’s family and a tribute to his legacy.

ANC Free State chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana paid tribute to Lekota, describing him as a pillar that held the ANC together and preserved its dignity. ‘For us, he remains the pillar that held the ANC and gave the ANC the dignity it enjoyed over a period of time,’ Dukwana said. ‘We felt that we should be coming not only as a party but also as people that worked with him and who know him.’

Diverging Paths and Shared Memories

Despite Lekota’s eventual departure from the ANC in 2008, his former colleagues expressed gratitude for his role in the establishment of the provincial government. Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae recalled Lekota’s uncompromising nature, noting that he often required documentation to be presented before he would agree to any commitments.

‘What he believed in was that, if one had to convince him, you would have to carry a document all the time. In a situation where he was asked to account, that’s where we had difficulty with Ntate Lekota,’ Letsoha-Mathae said. ‘He was that kind of character.’

Loate used the occasion to call on the ANC and other political groups to continue Lekota’s work. ‘My view is that it all depends on who calls themselves the progressive left. This may be a legacy left by the Teleport. They must then start to think about how to reset politics so far,’ Loate said. ‘As things look, the differences should not make us enemies. We must have a common objective: to allow South Africans to taste the fruits of democracy.’

Preparations for Final Tributes

Lekota’s home has been a hive of activity as preparations for his burial continue. Two memorial services are scheduled: one in Johannesburg on Wednesday and another in Bloemfontein on Thursday, with the final resting place planned for Saturday. These events will bring together political leaders, former colleagues, and citizens who remember Lekota’s contributions to South Africa’s political landscape.

The legacy of Mosiuoa Lekota, a man known for his integrity and uncompromising nature, will be remembered not only by his former allies but also by those who believe in the need for a renewed political landscape. As Loate urged, the call for unity and a common objective remains central to the future of South African politics.