The death of struggle icon and former Premier of North West Kaobitsa ‘Bushy’ Maape has drawn tributes from political leaders and liberation veterans, marking the end of a life shaped by decades of activism, public service, and an unwavering commitment to education.

Maape died yesterday in Johannesburg after a short illness at 68.

For many in the province, Maape represented a generation of leaders forged in the struggle against apartheid. Long before he occupied the province’s highest office, he was an underground activist of the African National Congress, an operative of uMkhonto we Sizwe, and a political prisoner on Robben Island.

Maape served as premier from 2021 to 2024, a period during which he sought to stabilise governance in a province frequently under pressure due to service delivery and administrative challenges. Colleagues remember him as a measured, disciplined, and deeply committed leader who was deeply committed to ethical principles.

Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi described Maape as ethical and incorruptible, saying he consistently championed governance that put ordinary people first.

ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, said Maape’s life reflected the sacrifices of a generation that dedicated itself to freedom, democracy, and development in South Africa.

In a statement, his family remembers him as a warm and humble figure whose wisdom, kindness, and laughter left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Memorial and funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.