Mosiuoa Lekota
| Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota MP | |
|---|---|
Mosiuoa Lekota in February 2000
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| President of the Congress of the People | |
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Assumed office 16 December 2008 |
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| Preceded by | post created |
| Minister of Defence | |
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In office 26 June 1999 – 25 September 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Modise |
| Succeeded by | Charles Nqakula |
| National Council of Provinces Chairman | |
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In office 6 February 1997 – 21 June 1999 |
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| Succeeded by | Naledi Pandor |
| Premier of the Free State | |
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In office 7 May 1994 – 18 December 1996 |
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| Succeeded by | Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
13 August 1948 Bloemfontein, South Africa |
| Political party | Congress of the People |
| Spouse(s) | Cynthia Lekota |
| Children | 3 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota (born 13 August 1948) is a South African politician who currently serves as the President and Leader of the Congress of the People since 16 December 2008.
Previously as a member of the African National Congress, under President Thabo Mbeki, he served in the Cabinet of South Africa as Minister of Defence from 17 June 1999 to 25 September 2008. His nickname Terror Lekota comes from his playing style on the soccer field. He was a leader of the United Democratic Front and a key defendant in the Delmas Treason Trial, 1985 to 1988.
Lekota was born in Kroonstad. He had his primary education at Emma Farm School and most of his secondary education at Mariazel High School in Matatiele. However, he matriculated at St. Francis College in Mariannhill in 1969. Although he enrolled for a social science degree at the University of the North, Lekota was expelled due to his Student Representative Council- and Black Consciousness Movement-aligned South African Students' Organization (SASO) activities in 1972.
Lekota became a permanent organiser for SASO in 1974, but was imprisoned at Robben Island Prison for "conspiring to commit acts endangering the maintenance of law and order" during the same year. He had organised victory rallies to celebrate the independence of Mozambique. He was released from prison in 1982.
After his release, he was elected publicity secretary of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983. In 1985, Lekota was detained and later sentenced in the Delmas Treason Trial. However, he was released in 1989 after the Appeal Court reviewed the sentence.
The Delmas Treason Trial was one of the most important treason trials in the last days of apartheid. It enunciated policies to be embodied in the post-apartheid society like non-racial equality before the law, reconciliation with major politicians who had supported apartheid and respect for the rule of law.
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