MAHIKENG: The University of South Africa under the Chancellorship of former State President, His Excellency, Thabo Mbeki, has conferred North West Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape with the Robben Island Award during the Chancellor Calabash Awards held in Johannesburg. According to the University, the Chancellor Awards are UNISA’s way of recognising its alumni and persons who have shown exemplary achievements and service to South African society.
Premier Maape is an alumnus of the University of South Africa. In the 1980’s he was incarcerated on Robben Island for his political activities as Commander of the Kgalagadi Underground Machinery. Amongst others he was responsible for the recruitment of young men and women in the struggle against apartheid. During his imprisonment he enrolled with UNISA where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Economics.
Premier Maape believes that the award serves as a confidence booster in repositioning the North West as one the leading provinces in terms administrative efficiency, economic development, culture and heritage. He maintains the role of the people of the North West in the liberation struggle must be given proper recognition. This according to Premier Maape will re-ignite their energies in being part of the solution on a number of challenges confronting the province.
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“The people of this province played an important role in the liberation of this country. It is through these accolades that we call them yet again to be part of the narrative as we seek to address a number of socio-economic challenges bedevilling the development of our beloved province” Premier Maape remarked.
Premier Maape insists challenges confronting the province are not insurmountable.
“We need to take stock of our achievements, but critically we need to inspire confidence among our people and invest in the culture of active citizenry. We need to lure investment so that we can be able to create jobs for our people. I can confidently say we are on the right trajectory because we have been criss-crossing the province meeting with different stakeholders. All of them have assured us of their support as we restore investor confidence in the province” said Premier Maape.
Premier Maape has urged young people to go to school and be solution driven. He believes it is through education that the lives of the marginalised can change for the better.
End Issued by the Office of the Premier For enquiries, Sello Tatai Spokesperson to the Premier North West Provincial Government Cell: 064 756 2510& 082 450 7842 E-mail: statai38@gmail.com Or
Mr. Brian Setswambung Provincial Head of Communication Office of the Premier North West Provincial Government Cell: 076 012 4501 E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
