Lekota to be remembered at a memorial service today

The founding President of the Congress of the People (COPE), Mosioua Lekota, will be remembered at a memorial service in Soweto later today.

His comrades and friends will gather at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church for the Gauteng leg of his memorial service.

Another memorial service is planned for Bloemfontein in the Free State on Thursday.

Lekota, who cut his teeth in the Black Consciousness Movement before joining the United Democratic Front and the ANC, died last Wednesday at the age of 77.

ANC first deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane, who worked with him in the UDF, is expected to speak at the Soweto service.

Meanwhile, the Royal House of Barolong boo Seleka under the leadership of Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka has lauded Lekota for empowering female traditional leaders during his tenure as Free State Premier.

Kgosi Moroka hailed Lekota for establishing the house of traditional leaders in 1997.

Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka says her mother, Kgosigadi Moroka and Mofumahadi Matikwana of Bakoena were the first two women to serve in the Free State house of traditional leaders, reflecting how much Lekota believed in the role that women can play in leadership.

“I think my respect for him really began there. You can imagine that I was still very young but understanding a person during the time of transition and understanding the dynamics of that time, but being able to be bold enough to say that, as we have adopted a constitution that believes in equality, all women are equally able to lead and take those leadership roles”, Kgosi Moroka adds.

Lekota will be buried in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

VIDEO | Mourners offer condolences to the Lekota Family:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Vftu063I0