President Ramaphosa Announces Special Official Funeral Category 2 for COPE Leader Mosiuoa Lekota
- Mosiuoa Gerard Lekota, the former anti-Apartheid icon and Congress of the People (COPE) leader, passed away on 4 March 2026
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced what type of funeral the former Minister of Defence will receive when he is laid to rest
- The National Flag will also be flown at half-mast until the evening of Lekota's funeral, which will be held on 14 March 2026
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2.
Lekota, who was also known as Terror, was an anti-Apartheid icon and former Minister of Defence, who passed away on 4 March 2026. He passed away in a Johannesburg hospital after a period of illness. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, 14 March 2026, in the Free State.
A former African National Congress member, Lekota, went on to found the Congress of the People (COPE) together with Mbhazima Shilowa and Mluleki George. He was also the first Premier of the Free State in democratic South Africa.
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Ramaphosa announces Lekota will receive an official funeral
On 6 March 2026, the president declared that the former Defence Minister would be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2. A Category 2 funeral is reserved for distinguished persons who have made significant contributions to the country.
The president also directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations from tomorrow morning, Saturday, 7 March 2026, until the evening of the funeral on 14 March 2026.
Ramaphosa also once again reiterated his deep condolences to the Lekota family, the Congress of the People and Lekota’s comrades and associates across the political spectrum following his passing.
“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 our national security, in his role as Minister of Defence,” he said.
Ramaphosa describes Lekota as a servant of the people
Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Terror Lekota following his passing on 4 March 2026
The president noted the contributions that the anti-Apartheid icon made during the country's fight for democracy over the years.
South Africans took to social media to express their admiration and gratitude for Lekota's sacrifices in the struggle.
5FM personality pays tribute to Lekota
Briefly News reported that radio personality Xoliswa Zondo bid farewell to South African anti-Apartheid revolutionary, Lekota.
Zondo, a popular 5FM radio personality, took to her social media to pay tribute to the COPE co-founder
South Africans joined the 5FM star on social media to honour the 77-year-old former Minister of Defence.
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Source: Briefly News
