Bushy Maape officially takes over Mokgoro’s job as North West premier

ANC veteran Bushy Maape on Tuesday was elected as the new premier of the North West by the provincial legislature.

Maape replaces Job Mokgoro after he was recalled last month from the top post by the ANC’s North West interim provincial committee (IPC).

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The former Robben Island prisoner received 21 votes beating the DA’s candidate Winston Rabotapi, who received five votes.

33 members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) were present in the legislature’s chambers. Four abstained from voting while 26 cast their ballots and there were no spoiled ballots.

North West High Court Judge President Monica Leeuw presided over the election of the new premier.

“Congratulations to you honourable Maape and I now declare you duly elected as the premier of the North West province,” Leeuw said.

Maape was announced as Mokgoro’s replacement by the IPC after he fell out with the interim structure. The 67-year-old was subsequently sworn in last week as an MPL, paving the way for his election as the province’s next premier.

Subsequent to Maape’s announcement as the premier-elect, Mokgoro refused to resign as an MPL. He eventually stepped down after meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Service delivery and job creation

Maape will be sworn in as premier later on Tuesday.

During his acceptance speech, Maape thanked the ANC for showing confidence in him and committed not to disappoint his party and North West residents.

He said his administration would focus on service delivery and job creation as well as fighting corruption.

“Our responsibility is to change the perception and the narrative out there in the public… We want to commit ourselves to fight poverty and inequality and unemployment, particularly among the youth,” Maape said.

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