Mr. Mosiuoa Lekota, former leader of COPE who passed away today, was a key figure in South African politics for many years.
As chairperson of the ANC, he headed the dissolution of the NNP and the party’s subsequent merger with the ANC – an unthinkable development for many Afrikaners for whom the NP had been the only political home they had known for decades.
After former President Thabo Mbeki’s dismissal of Mr Jacob Zuma as Deputy President, Lekota had expectations of filling that position.
It did not materialise and after Zuma took over the ANC presidency in Polokwane in 2007, COPE was founded in 2008 – the first truly significant rupture in the ANC since 1994.
COPE kicked off with unprecedented zeal and growth, winning 30 seats in 2009. The party subsequently declined as a result of internal conflict and infighting to near-total obliteration in 2024.
Mr. Lekota had the potential to significantly change the course South Africa was on. His good command of Afrikaans and moderate positions made many Afrikaners feel at home in COPE, only to be disillusioned later.
He lived a full life and had a genuine desire to make a positive difference in South Africa, but his career ended in disappointment.
On behalf of the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr Lekota who passed away after a long illness.
