Former North West premier and ANC veteran Bushy Maape has died at the age of 68 after a short illness.
Maape served as North West premier from 2021 until 2024 after replacing Job Mokgoro.
Maape died in Johannesburg on Saturday, after a short illness, surrounded by his children and family.
“Kaobitsa “Bushy” Maape passed away peacefully following a short illness, surrounded by his children and family,” the family said in a media release.
They described him as a loving, humble, kind-hearted and respected man whose presence brought warmth, wisdom and strength to those around him.
“Bushy will be remembered for his caring nature, his laughter, and the love he shared with family and friends. His memory will forever remain in our hearts, and his legacy will continue through the lives he touched.”
The African National Congress (ANC) said it had learned “with a deep sense of loss and sadness” of Maape’s passing.
Maape was a longstanding member of the movement, former premier of the North West province, freedom fighter, uMkhonto we Sizwe operative and former Robben Island political prisoner.
“Comrade Maape dedicated his life to the struggle for liberation, the advancement of the people of South Africa, and the empowerment of communities through education, serving the movement with discipline, humility, and unwavering commitment throughout his life,” ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said.
Bhengu said Maape was recruited into the underground structures of the ANC during the apartheid era and became an operative within the liberation movement.
“In 1986, he was imprisoned for his political activities and incarcerated on Robben Island, where he continued pursuing education and intellectual development despite the harsh conditions of apartheid imprisonment.
“His passion for education remained a defining feature of his life, as he believed deeply in the power of learning to liberate and uplift communities.”
She said following his release, he served the people in various leadership roles, including as chairperson of the ANC in the Kgalagadi region, senior government official in the North West province and premier of the North West province from 2021 to 2024.
“The ANC dips its revolutionary banner in honour of comrade Bushy Maape and extends its heartfelt condolences to the Maape family, his comrades, friends, and the people of the North West Province.
“His life remains a testament to a generation of cadres who sacrificed greatly for freedom, democracy, education, and development in South Africa and yet are not in formal leadership structures. May his revolutionary soul rest in eternal peace,” Bhengu added.
Meanwhile, North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi said he was saddened by the passing of Maape.
Mokgosi said Maape exemplified true ethical leadership.
“He was committed in serving his people and turn the tide against many years of Colonial-Apartheid rule which disenfranchised and marginalised our people.
Maape’s tenure was marked by criticism from opposition parties, activists and the public for failing to address service delivery challenges in the province.
Mokgosi added, “He was ethical and incorruptible and was relentless in his advocacy for good governance practices which put people first.”
Details about his memorial and funeral services have not yet been announced.
However, the family said they would be announced in due course.
IOL Politics
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
