Deputy President Paul Mashatile has paid an emotional tribute to former North West Premier Kaobitsa Abel “Bushy” Maape, describing him as a revolutionary, freedom fighter, Robben Island prisoner, and servant of the people.
Mashatile delivered the eulogy at Maape’s funeral at Huhudi Stadium in Vryburg, North West, on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
He said South Africa had gathered to honour a loyal son of the African soil whose life was marked by sacrifice, discipline, and service.
“We unite in sorrow to bid farewell to Comrade Kaobitsa Abel ‘Bushy’ Maape, a leader, Robben Island prisoner, loyal ANC cadre, and son of the soil,” Mashatile said.
Maape, who served as Premier of the North West Province from 2021 to 2024, was remembered for his role in the liberation struggle, his contribution to organised labour, and his service in government.
Mashatile said Maape’s life reflected endurance and sacrifice during the fight against apartheid.
According to the Deputy President, Maape was a teacher and principal during the day, while also operating as an underground activist during the apartheid years.
He said Maape helped recruit activists under dangerous conditions and contributed to the formation of the Kgalagadi Politico-Military Machinery.
Mashatile also highlighted Maape’s role in the establishment of the General and Allied Workers’ Union, where he helped organise exploited farm and general workers.
He said Maape also contributed to the United Democratic Front during the period when the ANC was banned.
For his activism, Maape was imprisoned on Robben Island.
Mashatile said the apartheid regime believed prison would silence leaders like Maape, but Robben Island instead became a school of political consciousness, discipline, courage, and leadership.
He placed Maape among the generation of struggle figures who sacrificed their freedom for a democratic South Africa.
“Among those courageous revolutionaries stood Comrade Bushy Maape. His voice, once silenced by prison walls, became a beacon of hope,” Mashatile said.
The Deputy President said Maape’s struggle was never about wealth or recognition, but about restoring dignity to the poor and marginalised.
He said Maape believed political freedom would remain incomplete without economic justice.
According to Mashatile, Maape wanted liberation to mean jobs for the unemployed, land for the dispossessed, education for the youth, healthcare for the vulnerable, housing for the homeless, and opportunity for ordinary people.
Mashatile said even as Premier, Maape remained focused on rural communities, traditional leadership, youth development, agriculture, and infrastructure investment.
He said Maape understood the urgent service delivery challenges facing communities in the North West, including water shortages, youth unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, and the need for an efficient government.
Mashatile said Maape believed government must be visible, responsive, and accountable to the people.
He added that Maape recognised the importance of traditional leadership in community development, social cohesion, cultural identity, and rural development.
The Deputy President said the North West Province had significant economic potential through mineral wealth, agriculture, tourism, and skilled labour, but Maape believed those benefits had to uplift communities and not only enrich a few.
Mashatile also used the funeral address to condemn the killing of community activist Thato Molosankwe from Lomanyaneng Village in Mahikeng.
He described the killing as a barbaric and senseless act of violence.
“This senseless act of violence is an attack not only on one individual but also on the values of humanity, justice, democracy, and community activism for which many freedom fighters, including Comrade Bushy Maape, dedicated their lives,” Mashatile said.
He extended condolences to the Molosankwe family, the Lomanyaneng community, and all those affected by the killing.
Mashatile said no society could prosper when violence, intimidation, criminality, and lawlessness were allowed to undermine public confidence.
He said the government remained committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies pursue justice and hold perpetrators accountable.
He also called on communities, traditional leaders, civil society, faith-based organisations, and all sectors of society to work together to defeat crime and rebuild respect for life and human dignity.
Mashatile said the greatest tribute to leaders such as Maape would be to build communities founded on unity, safety, compassion, and justice.
He told the Maape family that their loss was also the nation’s loss.
“Thank you for sharing this son of the soil with us. His legacy is written not in ink, but in sacrifice, discipline, and service,” Mashatile said.
He said Maape would be remembered as a freedom fighter, disciplined ANC member, former Premier of the North West, and a man faithful to the cause of the people until his final days.
“Hamba kahle, Mkhonto. Tsela Tshweu, Comrade Bushy Maape,” Mashatile said.