FS EXCO VISITS RESIDENCE OF THE LATE PREMIER MOSIUOA LEKOTA

FS EXCO

By: Staff Reporter

On Monday, 09 March 2026, the Free State Executive Council (EXCO) visited the Bloemfontein residence of the late former Premier Mosiuoa Lekota, who passed away on 04 March 2026.

During the visit, Mxolisi Dukwana, Speaker of the Free State Legislature, described the late Premier, former Minister of Defence, and struggle stalwart Mosiuoa Lekota as a committed freedom fighter who dedicated his life to serving the people.

“He was a soldier who tirelessly fought for our freedom and devoted his life to the people. His love for his people was evident in his leadership, and the respect he showed to everyone was admirable,” Dukwana stated.

He also commended Lekota’s sense of humour and recalled his role in renaming and reorganising areas previously known as the Orange Free State and surrounding Bantustans into the new provincial structure.

Dukwana further expressed gratitude to Ntate Lekota’s political party, the Congress of the People (COPE), for allowing them to be part of his journey.

“We extend our condolences to the family,” he concluded.

Incumbent Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, speaking to the Lutheran congregation in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 08 March 2026, praised the wisdom of Ntate Lekota’s former political organisation, the African National Congress, for choosing him as the first democratic Premier of the province.

The Premier conveyed the province’s deepest condolences to the Lekota family, stating that a servant of the people has fallen; a great leader and human rights activist.

Pitso Lekota, spokesperson for the Lekota family, thanked the provincial government for its kind gesture, saying it provided comfort and healing during this challenging time. “Your words are encouraging and healing,” he said.

The late Mosiuoa Lekota was the first Premier of the Free State following the 1994 democratic transition.

His funeral will take place in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 14 March 2026, where friends, family, and comrades will gather to pay their final respects.