The African National Congress (ANC) has expressed its condolences following the death of former North West Premier Bushy Maape.
Maape, who served as premier from 2021 to 2024, died in a hospital in Johannesburg on Saturday.
In a statement, the ANC extended sympathy to his family, friends, colleagues, and the people of the North West, recognising Maape’s long history of political activism and public service.
Anti-Apartheid Activist and Public Servant
During the apartheid era, Maape was recruited into underground structures of the ANC and became actively involved in the liberation struggle.
His activism led to imprisonment on Robben Island in 1986, where many anti-apartheid activists and political prisoners were detained.
Following the dawn of democracy, Maape remained active in governance and politics, eventually rising to become premier of the North West Province in 2021, a position he held until 2024.
ANC Pays Tribute
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu described Maape’s life as representative of a generation that sacrificed significantly for the country’s freedom and democratic future.
According to Bhengu, his legacy reflects a commitment to democracy, education, development, and the struggle against apartheid.
The passing of Bushy Maape marks the loss of a political figure whose journey spanned the liberation struggle and democratic governance in South Africa.
