The Late stalward - Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota - Pic by African Mirror
By Matshediso Setai
Mosiuoa Lekota first born son of Mapiloko Meshack Lekota and Mamosiuoa Aphaphia Lekota (nee Setai) was born and brought up in an extended family set up, he embraced the structure, culture and family value system that raised him, to his paternal and maternal family Mosiuoa was a very loving, kind, bubbly personality and a great sense of humour.
He displayed his leadership qualities very early on in his life and was very intelligent and committed to his studies, which earned him a bursary to study at Mariazell High School His maternal uncle Moramang David Setai, only brother to his mother had a great influence on him growing up.
The day Mosioua resolved to commit and dedicate his life to a cause greater than his life, to contribute to the fight against the brutal apartheid system and emancipate the marginalised and oppressed masses of his people, marked a turning point in his life. He responded to a clarion call to fulfil a generational mission to achieve political freedom within his lifetime, a mission he dared not fail. The unwavering conviction came at an extreme sacrifice to both his life and that of his family. He was fully cognisant of a possibility of never seeing his family ever again and like Kalushi Solomon Mahlangu, Mosiuoa believed that fighting for this just cause, even if he were to die, his blood would one day nourish the roots of a free and democratic South Africa.
While incarcerated on Robben Island, he asked his uncle Moramang Setai to lead a delegation to the Shange family in KwaZulu Natal Province to ask Cynthia Shange’s hand in marriage. Despite his grim reality of a possible lifelong imprisonment, this did not deter him to commit his love to Cynthia Shange and their first born daughter late Masechaba Lekota. He remained determined to fulfil his role as a husband and father, with the hope of one day reuniting with them and starting a new chapter in his life together with his family.
While in prison he penned numerous letters to his new bride and daughter. Over the years he compiled his letters written to his daughter into a book which was published titled “Letters to my daughter.” In the book he poured out his love for baby Masechaba, assuring her that he had chosen a path less travelled so that she could live and experience life in a free , non racial, non sexist and democratic South Africa with endless possibilities.
Mosiuoa also encouraged his family to pursue education as he believed that it was the key to a better life, Through the ANC while imprisoned on Robben Island he facilitated scholarships for his family, both immediate and extended family members. Masechaba was sent to study at Waterford International High School in Swaziland an institution which became a safe haven for many children of the liberation struggle stalwarts.
He also arranged ANC funded scholarships for his sibling Poki Lekota and his first cousin Matshediso Setai (his uncle Moramang’s first born daughter) to further their studies abroad and join his uncle late Dr Bethuel Setai who lectured at Vermont University -USA. He wanted to ensure that the generation that came after him in the family are well educated and can contribute to a better society. Unfortunately, this opportunity was missed as it coincided with the unbanning of the ANC and our uncle Dr Setai had to return home in 1991 after many years in exile.
Like many of our struggle heroes, the many years he spent serving prison terms denied him a stable family life and time to bond with his immediate and extended family. This left his wife Cynthia, to raise their children largely alone.as a single parent. He often expressed regret about not being present during his children’s upbringing and missing many of their important developmental milestones.
Another deeply painful moment occurred when the brutal apartheid system denied him the opportunity to bury his younger brother Buti Lekota who passed away in 1988. Unfortunately, the many years of incarceration and intense political activism also took a toll on a normal married life.
When he was released from prison, he remained heavily involved in political work in various roles which required extensive travel across the length and breadth of South Africa and abroad, mobilising political support to overthrow the racist apartheid system.
At the dawn of democracy in 1994 when he was appointed the first Premier of the Free State Province, he invited his cousin Matshediso Setai to join him and live together at the official residence “Free State House” as part of the first family of the Free State. He had already secured a student bursary for Matshediso Setai to study at University of the Free State in 1993 with the sole intension of helping to secure a brighter future for his uncle’s daughter. This was a unique transitional period that offered no reference manual navigating life as the new Provincial first family and we learnt as we went along.
However, the friendly staff at the residence made the transition easier and manageable. This period afforded us a unique opportunity to get to know each better and established a special bond as first cousins, especially after my dad’s passing two years later. He took it upon himself to celebrate many milestones in my life and those of my daughter Teboho Setai his niece, in trying to close the void of losing both my parents early in life.
In 1995 his wife Cynthia and their 4 children joined him in the Free State Province. For the first time in many decades, he had a semblance of a normal family life notwithstanding the numerous travels both domestically and internationally that continued take him away from his family. In 1996 he was once again separated from his family when he was deployed to take up the role of the first Chairperson of the National Council of provinces (NCOP) based in Cape Town.
He left his wife and children in Bloemfontein, once again leaving Cynthia to carry the responsibility of single parenthood, the role she continued to carry with diligence and resilience. After serving at the NCOP, he was deployed to the cabinet of former President Thabo Mbeki as Minister of Defence, while also serving as the National
Chairperson of the ANC. Both these roles demanded a significant amount of his time, requiring him to live between Cape Town and Pretoria.
Mosiuoa was intentional about spending quality time with members of both his immediate and extended family whom he loved dearly. Every opportunity he got, he always shared nuggets of wisdom with the younger generation in the family.
After leaving cabinet in 2008 and co-founding the political party Congress of the People (COPE) he embarked on another chapter in his political journey. This new political home which came with its own demands, once again taking him away from his family as he spent much of his time between Gauteng Province and Cape Town in his role as a Member of Parliament until his health deteriorated and succumbed to death.
The life of a freedom fighter who paid the ultimate price by sacrificing his personal life for the liberation of his people was Mosiuoa Lekota’s albatross which he carried with conviction to his final days. Today his illustrious journey is being celebrated and recognised through a State funeral that honours his lifelong dedication to a just cause. The annals of history shall certainly not leave any blank pages when recording his remarkable contribution.
As a family we bid farewell to a dear son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle. We say: “Robala ka kgotso Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota, mosia motubatsi, setloholo sa matsibolo sa bafokeng ba tshele baha Setai.” till we meet again.
Matshediso Setai writes in her personal capacity as first cousin to Mosiuoa Lekota, broadcast media commentator, developmental communications specialist and an integrated communications and media marketing professional.
