UDM requests parliament to accord late Lekota appropriate recognition

A picture of the late COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota is seen at his memorial service in Free State, 12 March 2026.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) says it has written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to request that Parliament accords the late Congress of the People (COPE) leader Mosiuoa Lekota appropriate recognition.

The party says that as the founding chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Parliament could organise activities to honour Lekota.

Lekota died in a hospital in Johannesburg earlier this month at the age of 77.

UDM’s Member of Parliament (MP), Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, says Parliament must recognise Lekota the way it did the late first Speaker of the democratic Parliament, Dr Frene Ginwala.

“Parliament could, for instance, do what it did when Dr Frene Ginwala passed away, convene a special joint sitting dedicated to paying tribute to his life and legacy or organise an official memorial service under its auspices to recognise his immense contribution to South Africa’s democracy. The president could also declare a national mourning period during which flags are flown at half-mast across the country in recognition of his contribution as NCOP chair, cabinet minister and leader in the struggle for freedom,” says Kwankwa.

The UDM has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly asking why Parliament is refusing to honour Tata Mosiuoa Lekota ahead of his funeral this Saturday.

Lekota chaired the inaugural National Council of Provinces in South Africa’s first democratic Parliament.

Why the… pic.twitter.com/WowO8SlUTV

— UDM (@UDmRevolution) March 12, 2026