By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a mourning period to honour the late former Deputy President David Dabete Mabuza.
Ramaphosa has declared that a national mourning period will be observed from Monday until Saturday evening.
“During this period the national flag must be flown at half-mast at all flag stations around the country, “the Presidency said.
“The president wishes the family strength as they and the nation reflect on the life of a family member, activist, educator, intellectual and leader in government who contributed greatly to the attainment of freedom and development in our society.”
It said in terms of the state, official and provincial official funeral policy manual of the Presidency, a state funeral category 2 is reserved for a deputy president, an acting president and former deputy presidents.
A state funeral category 2 is conducted with prescribed military ceremonial honours.
Mabuza’s funeral will take place on the 12th of July in Barberton, Mpumalanga. The Presidency said further details will be announced in the coming days.
Mabuza was first sworn in as deputy president in February 2018 and again in May 2019 as part of the 6th democratic administration, led by Ramaphosa.
He held several positions within the Mpumalanga executive, including MEC for agriculture and land administration from 2008 to 2009; MEC for roads and transport from 2007 to 2008; a Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature from 2004 to 2007. He was also a Member of Parliament from 2001 to 2004 and before that, Mpumalanga MEC for housing from 1999 to 2001 and MEC for education between 1994 and 1998.
He was a mathematics teacher by training.
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.
Mabuza was relatively quiet during his term as deputy president. He was tasked with overseeing key programmes, but was often more notable for his absence rather than his influence.
Mabuza resigned from Parliament in March 2023 to make way for new ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile to fill the role as the country’s No 2.
Condolences poured in from the political arena following the news of Mabuza’s passing.
Mabuza was born in Phola, Mpumalanga, on 25 August 1960 — is survived by his wife Nonhlanhla Patience Mnisi and his children.