Mosiuoa Lekota, the anti-apartheid activist who later led a historic split from the African National Congress (ANC) to co-found the Congress of the People (COPE), has died at the age of 77. His party confirmed that he passed away in a Johannesburg hospital following a period of illness, as reported by Polity.org.
Lekota was imprisoned on Robben Island during apartheid and later became a senior figure in South Africa’s democratic government. He served as Premier of the Free State and went on to hold the position of Minister of Defence under former President Thabo Mbeki from 1999 to 2008.
In 2008, amid internal disputes within the ANC, Lekota broke ranks to establish COPE, marking one of the most significant political splits in post-apartheid South Africa. The new party secured roughly 7 percent of the vote in the 2009 national elections, though its influence declined in subsequent years, ChannelAfrica noted.
Tributes are expected from across the political spectrum as South Africa reflects on Lekota’s decades-long role in the liberation struggle and democratic governance. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
Image Credit: reuters.com
