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]]>Flags across the country have been flying at half mast in honour of the veteran politician. The flags will remain lowered for seven days until his burial on 14 March in Bloemfontein.
Lekota, who also served as Free State Premier and later as South Africa’s Minister of Defence, passed away earlier this week.
Plans are now underway for several memorial events ahead of the funeral.
COPE Acting Chairperson Ndade Ndeghezi confirmed that two memorial services will be held next week to allow South Africans to pay their respects.
The first memorial service will take place on Tuesday in Pimville, Soweto in Johannesburg, where Lekota was involved in community mobilisation work.
A second memorial service will then be held in Bloemfontein on Thursday, giving residents of the Free State an opportunity to honour the former premier.
A church service will follow on Friday, reflecting Lekota’s strong connection to the Roman Catholic Church, before the funeral takes place on Saturday, 14 March in Bloemfontein.
Ndeghezi said the memorial services are expected to include contributions from several political traditions and organisations that formed part of Lekota’s long political journey.
Throughout his political career, Lekota was involved in several major movements including the Black Consciousness Movement, the United Democratic Front (UDF), the African National Congress (ANC), and later the Congress of the People (COPE).
Political leaders and members of the public have continued to pay tribute to Lekota, describing him as a nation builder and unifier who played an important role in South Africa’s democratic transition.
Lekota made history in 1994 when he became the first Premier of the Free State following South Africa’s first democratic elections. He later served in national government and became Minister of Defence.
As preparations continue for next week’s memorial services and funeral, tributes from across the political spectrum continue to highlight his legacy in South African politics.
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The party reflected on the party’s current position and reviewed progress in efforts to rebuild and reposition the organisation.
As the highest decision-making body between National Congresses, the CNC adopted a resolution to postpone the party’s National Elective Congress due to the state of readiness in the provinces and their constituencies.
COPE Acting General Secretary.Eric Mohlapamaswi, said the postponement is intended to allow additional time for adequate preparation. The Elective Congress will now be held from 25 to 26 April 2026, and all provincial congresses must be convened on or before 29 March 2026.
“We are determined to stabilise the party’s leadership, currently led by COPE Leader Teboho Loate, ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Our objective is to rebuild and reposition COPE as an effective political alternative for all South Africans.
“We remain steadfast in our belief that COPE represents credible social democratic values, and together we can build prosperity for all. “It is time for citizens to join and support a party that is reliable, accountable, and led by incorruptible leadership,” he said.
Mohlapamaswi further said that COPE is poised to return strongly after the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“We will continue to be the voice of the voiceless and of South Africans at large. COPE will play a vigilant watchdog role to ensure that the current government serves the people’s interests.We are getting back on course and will bounce back. We call on communities to continue rallying behind COPE.
“Our public representatives will be more visible on the ground, fighting for the rights of our communities. Preparations for the next Local Government Elections have already begun. COPE has drawn lessons from past mistakes, and mitigation plans are now in place,” he said.
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