On this day in 1948, Mosiuoa Lekota was born
Other well-known people who were born on this day are cricketer Morne Engelbrecht and actor Ray Diaz.
Today, 13 August, Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota is celebrating his birthday.
He got the nickname Terror on the soccer field.
Lekota is the current president and leader of the Congress of the People (COPE), and is a Member of Parliament. He used to be a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and served as Minister of Defence.
He has also been a leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and a key defendant in the Delmas Treason Trial.
In 1974, Lekota became a permanent organiser for the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO). He was later imprisoned at Robben Island and was released from prison in 1982.
After his release, he was elected publicity secretary of the UDF in 1983.
In 1990, Lekota was elected to the ANC’s National Executive Committee and its National Working Committee.
He was also the ANC’s Chief of Intelligence and he served as the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.
Following the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki in 2008, Lekota was one of 10 ministers who submitted their resignations as well.
In 2008, he announced his candidacy for the leadership of COPE.
Other well-known people who were born on this day are cricketer Morne Engelbrecht and actor Ray Diaz.
