North West mourns former premier Bushy Maape

North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has expressed sadness following the death of former North West premier and anti-apartheid struggle veteran Bushy Maape.

Maape died in Johannesburg on Saturday, 16 May 2026, after a short illness while surrounded by family members.

Mokgosi described Maape as a dedicated freedom fighter, politician and public servant who devoted his life to the liberation struggle and democratic South Africa.

Following the 1976 student uprisings, Maape left the country to receive political and military training through the African National Congress. He later returned to South Africa where he helped establish and command underground ANC structures operating in Mahikeng, Vryburg, Taung, Kuruman and Kimberley.

His activism against apartheid led to his imprisonment on Robben Island during the 1980s. While incarcerated, he pursued higher education and completed degrees in Psychology, Economics and Development Studies through the University of the Western Cape.

After the dawn of democracy in 1994, Maape served in several senior government positions, including roles linked to the Reconstruction and Development Programme and planning in the Office of the Premier.

He later returned from retirement to help stabilise the North West provincial government during the Section 100 intervention and was credited with helping Cabinet lift the intervention.

Maape also relaunched the provincial bursary scheme, conceptualised the Thuntsha Lerole accelerated service delivery programme and revived the province’s Growth and Development Strategy.

Mokgosi said Maape embodied ethical leadership and always placed the needs of the people first.

“He was a committed compatriot who dedicated his entire life to the struggle for a democratic and prosperous country,” Mokgosi said.