By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
David Mabuza, who once held the second-highest office in South Africa, has died after a long battle with poor health.
Mabuza died in Sandton hospital. He was 64-years old.
Mabuza’s health became a talking point during his time as Deputy President, where he visited Russia to receive medical treatment.
He was rarely seen by the public during the COVID-19 crisis and postponed several appearances in parliament due to his ill health.
Mabuza served as Deputy President of South Africa from 2018 to 2021, during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first term in office.
He stepped down from the Deputy President role following the election of Paul Mashatile to the role at the ANC’s national conference in 2022.
“It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we learn of the passing of former Deputy President of the Republic and stalwart of our movement, Comrade David Dabede Mabuza,” ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said in an official statement released on Wednesday afternoon.
“Comrade Mabuza dedicated his life to the service of the people of South Africa… We have lost a patriot, a freedom fighter, and a leader who served with humility and conviction.”
“On behalf of the African National Congress, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, comrades and the people of South Africa. We have lost a patriot, a freedom fighter, and a leader who served with humility and conviction.
Born on August 25, 1960, Mabuza was a former maths teacher turned revolutionary.
He cut his political teeth as a student leader and teacher unionist in the 1980s, rising through the ranks of the Azanian Students Organisation (AZASO) and later the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU).
Mabuza transitioned into formal ANC structures post-apartheid and quickly became a dominant figure in Mpumalanga provincial politics.
He held multiple MEC positions in the province — education, housing, and agriculture — before clinching the powerful role of premier.
He was the Deputy President of the ANC from December 2017 to December 2022 and was previously the Premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 to 2018, throughout the presidency of his former political ally Jacob Zuma. Mabuza served as a Member of Parliament from 2018 until his resignation in 2023.
Tributes
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said that, having served South Africa in various senior roles, including as premier of Mpumalanga and ultimately as deputy president, Mabuza was a significant figure in South African political life.
“His contributions and influence spanned decades and will leave a lasting mark on our country’s democratic journey,” Mashaba said.
“While varying reflections on his legacy will no doubt unfold in the days to come, ActionSA simply wishes to extend compassion to his family as they begin this difficult mourning journey. We pray for their strength, peace and comfort during this time of loss.”
Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane said Mabuza proudly wore his ANC colours and consistently defended his party.
“When I think about his life and his contribution, I think history will be able to judge for itself what it meant. In my interactions with him, I remember the forthrightness of our engagement going backwards and forwards on different issues,” Maimane said.
He extended his condolences to the Mabuza family and prayed for peace and comfort for them.
Good Party leader Patricia de Lille said it was during Mabuza’s tenure as deputy president that she served alongside him.
“He was an exemplary chair of intergovernmental forums; his meetings were marked by punctuality, clarity of purpose, and firm outcomes. I personally admired his respect for time and process, and it is a discipline we can all learn from in public service,” de Lille said.
The ANC Youth League noted that Mabuza was known for his tactical skill and political resilience. From his early days as an educator and anti-apartheid activist to his tenure as deputy president, they said he remained committed to the people’s aspirations.
“A former chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga and a long-time champion of unity within the movement, Cde Mabuza will be remembered for his quiet strength, his strategic discipline and his ability to navigate complex political terrains with remarkable calm, “the ANCYL said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Mabuza’s contribution to South Africa: “We are saddened today by the loss of a leader who was grounded in activism at the early stages of his political career and who came to lead our nation and shape South Africa’s engagement with our continental compatriots and the international community in his role as Deputy President.”
“The former Deputy President deserves our appreciation for his deep commitment to the liberation struggle and to the nation’s development as an inclusive, prosperous, democratic state.”
Mabuza was a key player in the ascendancy of Ramaphosa as ANC president in 2017.
“It was this central positioning that forced the CR17 campaign to make Mabuza deputy president. Mabuza even had the power to force Ramaphosa to postpone his Cabinet announcement.”