About this site

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

Lekota, Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick

Click here for list of interviews

Lekota was born on 13 August 1948 in Kroonstad. He is married.

Since 17 June 1999 he has been the Minister of Defence of the Republic of South Africa.

His academic qualifications are: -

Ø. Primary education at Emma Farm School.

Ø. Secondary education at Mariazel, Matatiele (Standard 8).

Ø. Matriculated at St Francis College, Marianhill (1969).

Ø. Enrolled for a Social Science degree, University of the North but expelled due to Student Representative Council (SRC) and South African Student's Organisation (SASO) activities (1972).

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities: -

Ø. Permanent Organiser for SASO (1974 - 1975).

Ø. Imprisoned at Robben Island Prison for conspiring to commit acts endangering the maintenance of law and order (1974 - 1982).

Ø. Elected Publicity Secretary for the United Democratic Front (UDF) (1983).

Ø. Contributed to the publication of the book titled, '30 years of the Freedom Charter' (1985).

Ø. Detained and sentenced in the Delmas trial (1985).

Ø. Released after the Appeal Court reviewed the sentence (1989).

Ø. Convenor of the ANC in Southern Natal (1990).

Ø. Elected to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) and its National Working Committee (NWC).

Ø. Served as Chief of Intelligence (1991).

Ø. Elected Secretary for ANC Election Commission (1992).

Ø. Premier of the Free State Provincial government (1994 - 1996).

Ø. Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (6 February 1997 - June 1999).

Ø. National Chairperson of the ANC (December 1997 to date).

Research and Publications: -

Ø. Author of 'Prison Letters to my Daughter'.

Source: Ministry of Defence

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.