The Congress of the People (COPE) has announced that the first memorial service for its leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, will take place on Wednesday.

The Congress of the People (COPE) has announced that the first memorial service for its leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, will take place on Wednesday at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto, Johannesburg.

The church is historically significant, having played a key role during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and serving as a gathering place for political meetings and community mobilisation during that time.

Special official funeral

According to the SABC, a second memorial service for Lekota will be held in Bloemfontein on Thursday, ahead of his special official funeral, category two, which is scheduled to take place in the Free State capital on Saturday.

COPE acting national chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi confirmed that the date for the Johannesburg memorial service was changed following consultations with various stakeholders.

“The Johannesburg memorial service – there has been a change from that which was announced yesterday, which was supposed to be held in Pimville on Tuesday,” said Dikgetsi.

“After consultations and interactions with various people, broad sections of people, especially in Soweto, the family and COPE decided to change from Tuesday to Wednesday.”

Prominent figure

Mosiuoa Lekota, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle and former national government minister, was a prominent figure in South African politics and one of the founding members of COPE.

Further details regarding the memorial services and funeral arrangements are expected to be communicated by the party in the coming days.