Mosiuoa 'Terror' Lekota, a prominent South African anti-apartheid veteran and former defense minister, has died at the age of 77 after a long illness. His political party, the Congress of the People (COPE), announced his passing on Wednesday.
Key Takeaways
South African anti-apartheid veteran and former defense minister Mosiuoa 'Terror' Lekota has died at the age of 77 after a long illness. He was a prominent activist against white minority rule in South Africa and served eight years in prison on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela.
- Mosiuoa 'Terror' Lekota dies at 77 after a long illness
- Served as South Africa’s minister of defense from 1999 to 2008
- Formed the Congress of the People (COPE) in 2008, which became the third biggest opposition party with just over 7% of the national vote and 30 seats in parliament
- Stepped away from politics for health reasons in 2025
Lekota was a well-known activist against white minority rule in South Africa and served eight years in prison on Robben Island alongside other jailed anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela, from 1974 to 1982. He was a fiery member of various political youth organizations during apartheid and continued his activism even after his release from Robben Island.
In the post-apartheid era, Lekota served as South Africa’s minister of defense from 1999 to 2008 and was also the national chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC). However, his relationship with the ANC soured after former President Thabo Mbeki was removed as the country’s president in 2008. Lekota formed a breakaway party, COPE, which contested the 2009 elections and became the third biggest opposition party with just over 7% of the national vote and 30 seats in South Africa’s 400-member parliament.
The breakaway led to a significant decline in the ANC’s electoral support in 2009, with many former ANC members and leaders leaving the party to join Lekota’s new political outfit. In 2024, the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time and is now the biggest party in a coalition government.
Lekota was well respected as a long-serving lawmaker and political leader who strengthened the voice of opposition parties. However, factional struggles within COPE led to its gradual decline and its failure to win any parliamentary seats during the 2024 general elections, ending Lekota’s career as a lawmaker. In 2025, he stepped away from politics for health reasons.
Tributes have poured in from across South Africa’s political landscape, recognizing Lekota's contributions to the country's democratic evolution and his unwavering commitment to justice and constitutional governance.
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