Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota (13 August 1948 – 4 March 2026) was a South African politician, anti-apartheid activist and former government minister. He spent many years fighting against apartheid and was imprisoned on Robben Island, where he was held alongside other political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela. Lekota later became an important figure in South African politics after the end of apartheid.
Mosiuoa Lekota Profile
| Name | Mosiuoa Lekota |
| Real Name | Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota |
| Date of Birth | 13 August 1948 |
| Date of Death | 4 March 2026 (77 years) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Politician, Anti-apartheid Activist |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $800,000 |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Lekota began his early education at Susanna Farm School. He later attended Mariazell High School in Matatiele. However, he completed his secondary education at St. Francis College in Mariannhill, where he matriculated in 1969.
After secondary school, he enrolled at the University of the North to study social sciences. His studies were cut short in 1972 when he was expelled because of his involvement in student activism and political activities linked to the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) and the Black Consciousness Movement.
Career
Lekota’s political journey began in the 1970s when he became active in student politics and anti-apartheid movements. In 1974, he became a full-time organiser for SASO. That same year, he was arrested and imprisoned on Robben Island Prison for organising rallies celebrating Mozambique’s independence. He remained in prison until 1982.
After his release, he continued his political work and became the publicity secretary of the United Democratic Front in 1983. In 1985, he was arrested again and charged during the Delmas Treason Trial, one of the most significant political trials during the apartheid era. His conviction was later overturned in 1989.
With the end of apartheid approaching, Lekota joined the leadership of the ANC. After South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994, he became the Premier of the Free State province, serving until 1996.
He later served as Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces from 1997 to 1999. From 1999 to 2008, he served as Minister of Defence under President Thabo Mbeki. In 2008, following political tensions in the ANC, Lekota left the party and helped establish the Congress of the People (COPE). He became the party’s first president in December 2008.
Controversies
Lekota’s decision to leave the ANC in 2008 and create a new political party caused major political tension in South Africa. Some ANC leaders criticised the move, while opposition figures welcomed it.
He also faced criticism in 2009 after comments suggesting he was unsure whether HIV directly causes AIDS. His remarks were widely criticised by health experts and commentators, who felt the comments echoed earlier debates about AIDS denialism in South African politics.
Personal Life
Mosiuoa Lekota was married and had seven children. Four of them were with his wife Cynthia, though one child died in 1996. He also had three other children from previous relationships. Friends and colleagues often described him as a committed political activist who dedicated most of his life to public service and the fight for democracy in South Africa.
Mosiuoa Lekota Net Worth
Mosiuoa Lekota’s net worth was estimated to be around $800,000 during his lifetime.
Death
Mosiuoa Lekota died on 4 March 2026 at the age of 77 after battling cancer. His party, the Congress of the People, confirmed that he had been ill for some time before his death. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to him, describing him as a freedom fighter and servant of the people whose life was marked by courage and dedication to justice.