Picture: Former North West Premier, Bushy Maape
By OBAKENG MAJE
17 May 2026 – The African National Congress (ANC) said it has learned with a deep sense of loss and sadness of the passing of the former North West Premier, freedom fighter, uMkhonto we Sizwe operative and Robben Island political prisoner, Kaobitsa “Bushy” Maape. ANC said Maape is a longstanding member of the movement, who 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.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said Maape was recruited into the underground structures of the ANC during the apartheid era and became an operative within the liberation movement. Bhengu said 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. 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, and the North West Premier from 2021 to 2024.
“The ANC dips its revolutionary banner in honour of Maape and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, his comrades, friends and the people of the North West. Maape’s 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,” she said.
Bhengu further said may Maape’s revolutionary soul rest in eternal peace.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said he is saddened by the passing of Maape. Mokgosi added that Maape passed away in Johannesburg on 16 May 2026, surrounded by his children and family after a short illness.
“Maape had an illustrious life marked by remarkable achievements and widespread admiration as a freedom fighter, politician and public servant. Following the 1976 Student Uprisings, Maape skipped the country, where he received political and military training by the ANC.
“He was later infiltrated back into the country where he formed and commanded the Kgalagadi Underground machinery which operated in Mahikeng, Vryburg, Taung, Kuruman and Kimberly. His strong convictions in the struggle against apartheid and its draconian laws led to his incarceration on Robben Island in the 1980s,” he said.
Mokgosi said while serving his term he enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics, where he also completed two honours degrees in Development Studies and Economics with the University of Western Cape. He said following his release he became the Regional Chairperson of the ANC in the Bophirima Region, which at the time stretched from Kuruman to Mahikeng.
“After the country’s democratic breakthrough in 1994, he held senior administrative roles, including Chief Director for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and Planning in the Office of the Premier.
“He was later recalled from retirement to help stabilise the government following years of administrative stagnation which culminated in the invocation of Section 100. During his short stint as Premier and through his meticulous and administrative prowess, he ensured that cabinet uplifted Section 100 in the province,” said Mokgosi.
He said as a strong proponent for education, as well as the empowerment of young people, he relaunched the Provincial Bursary Scheme which to date has funded thousands of underprivileged learners from disadvantaged and distressed backgrounds. Mokgosi said Maape is credited for conceptualising the Province’s Accelerated Service Delivery Plan dubbed Thuntsha Lerole, an initiative aimed at ensuring the efficacy of municipalities in expediting provision of services to residents.
“Maape also resuscitated the province’s Growth and Development Strategy which serves as a blueprint to guide the province’s developmental trajectory as it relates to job creation, fighting poverty and tackling high costs of living.
“The former Premier was a true servant of the people. He was a committed compatriot who dedicated his entire life to the struggle for a democratic and prosperous country. He epitomised selflessness and servitude in the execution of our liberation course,” he said.
Mokgosi said Maape exemplified true ethical leadership. He said Maape was committed to serving his people and turning the tide against many years of colonial-apartheid rule which disenfranchised and marginalised the people.
“He was ethical, incorruptible and was relentless in his advocacy for good governance practices, which put people first,” concluded Mokgosi.
The Guardian 