BLOEMFONTEIN – The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) has expressed profound sadness regarding the passing of its longest-serving Chancellor Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota, who passed away earlier today at the age of 77. He served as the ceremonial head of the institution for 12 years, bridging the transition from the Technikon Free State to the Central University of Technology.
Speaking Afrikaans fluently among other languages, Lekota served in the position from 1997 to 2009. “Lekota contributed to the development and growth of CUT during the early stages of the country’s newfound democracy. He continued to contribute to the Free State’s development by inspiring a new generation of graduates and academics,” the university said in a statement.
Lekota was elected to the position as part of a tradition of using influential, non-academic political figures as chancellors to raise the profile of the university. He was followed by Dr. Boet Troskie (2010–2015) and subsequently Madam Justice Mahube Molemela.
Lekota was the first Free State Premier from 1994 until 1996 during the term of the late President Nelson Mandela. Well-known by the nickname ‘Terror’, Lekota’s tenure as premier was brief, owing to a fierce power struggle in the ANC in the province.
Lekota’s political activism began as an organiser for the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) in the early 1970s. He was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1974 to 1982 for his anti-apartheid activities. After his release, Lekota became a founding member and publicity secretary of the United Democratic Front (UDF). He was again imprisoned from 1985 until 1989 following the Delmas Treason Trial. He was imprisoned alongside Mandela from 1985.
As a member of the ANC, Lekota served in various leadership positions, including Minister of Defence. He left the ANC to form the Congress of the People (Cope) splinter party in 2008.
Tributes and messages of condolence from political parties in the Free State continued pouring in regarding the passing of the astute politician who was born and bred in Kroonstad.
Roy Jankielsohn, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State, expressed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Free State struggle stalwart.
“The Free State has lost a son who was born in Kroonstad in 1948 and maintained his roots in the province. He was best known for his nickname ‘Terror’, which he received due to his prowess on the soccer field.
“Lekota was a gentleman and politician who will be remembered for his lifelong and unwavering quest to build a non-racial and inclusive constitutional democracy in South Africa. Lekota’s legacy of Ubuntu is visible through the political tolerance, communal consensus-seeking and humility that he embraced and that are still valued in the Free State,” says Jankielsohn.
Jankielsohn remembers Lekota for his firm decisions in his leadership roles in government, starting as the first Premier of the Free State.
“He went on to serve as Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces between 1997 and 1999 and Minister of Defence between 1999 and 2008. Lekota refused to serve in the ANC with Jacob Zuma as its President and signed ‘divorce papers’ with the ANC to form an opposition party, Congress of the People, in 2008,” says Jankielsohn.
Also Read: A giant tree has fallen: Struggle stalwart Terror Lekota dies at 77
