President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile have paid tribute to former deputy president David Mabuza who died on Thursday.
“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,” President Ramaphosa said after Mabuza’s passing at a hospital in Gauteng. He was 64.
Ramaphosa said Mabuza deserved SA’s appreciation for his “commitment to the liberation struggle and the nation’s development as an inclusive, prosperous, democratic state”.
Mashatile described his predecessor as a “dear brother” and a “man of principle”. “I will always remember comrade David Mabuza as a dear brother, a man of principle, who never walked away once he made a commitment to perform a task or achieve an objective,” Mashatile said.
Mabuza served as deputy to Ramaphosa from 2018-23, playing a pivotal role in both the ANC and government. He was assigned crucial tasks by during his stint as deputy president including fast-tracking land reform, heading the rapid response team on service delivery and chairing the interministerial committee on Covid-19 vaccines.
A former mathematics teacher and school principal, Mabuza cut his teeth in United Democratic Front politics as a student activist and trade unionist. His rise to ANC chair of Mpumalanga and then deputy president of the country was arguably meteoric, but also short-lived. He resigned as an MP and deputy president in 2023, shortly after the ANC’s elective conference a which Mashatile ascended to the post of the party’s second in charge.
Crucial role
Mabuza played a crucial role in propelling Ramaphosa from deputy president to the position of first citizen at the ANC’s Nasrec conference in December 2017.
He played his cards close to his chest and supporters aligned to former president Jacob Zuma and his preferred candidate Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma were convinced of his support until the 11th hour. Mabuza formed part of the “Premier League”, Zuma’s hard-line backers during his second term presidency, along with Ace Magashule and Supra Mahumapelo.
It was Mabuza’s decision to turn on the Zuma faction, supported by Mashatile, which swung the conference in Ramaphosa’s favour. Then, he expressed concern about the ANC’s rapidly falling electoral support, worsened by reports of an audacious capture of the SA state under Zuma by the controversial Gupta family.
His concern stemmed from the ANC’s loss of crucial metros in the 2016 local government election, including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay.
The “radical economic transformation” aligned to Zuma at the time felt deeply betrayed by Mabuza.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed Mabuza’s passing on social media on Thursday.
“On behalf of the ANC, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, comrades.
“We have lost a patriot, a freedom fighter and a leader who served with humility and conviction. May his soul rest in peace and may we honour his legacy by continuing the work of building a united, nonracial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous SA,” Mbalula said.
Survivalist instincts
Mabuza held a number of government positions before his promotion to the presidency. He was Mpumalanga premier from 2009-18 and before that Mpumalanga MEC for agriculture and land, MEC for roads and transport, a member of the Mpumalanga provincial legislature from 2004-07, an MP from 2001-04, Mpumalanga MEC for housing from 1999 to 2001 and MEC for education in 1994-98, according to the presidency.
Nicknamed “The Cat” for his survivalist instincts in politics, Mabuza stepped down from his government role ahead of Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle in 2023, citing a desire to make way for new leadership. Insiders, however, said that health issues were at the heart of his early departure from his post.
In recent years, he had maintained a low public profile, reportedly focusing on his private life and farming interests.
Update: July 3 2025
This story has been updated with more reaction and background information.
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