The death of former deputy president David Dabede Mabuza is a blow to the country and Mpumalanga in particular.

These were the sentiments of Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu following the news of Mabuza’s passing yesterday, July 3.

DD or the Cat, as Mabuza was affectionately known, passed away at hospital in Sandton after battling with an unidentified illness.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula confirmed Mabuza’s passing.

Ndlovu said Mabuza was a towering figure, who devoted his time to serve the people of South Africa. “It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of national loss that we mourn the passing of the former deputy president.

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We join the President Ramaphosa and the rest of the country in conveying our deepest condolences to his family,” Ndlovu said.

He added that Mabuza’s passion for education has left behind a rich legacy for learners in Mpumalanga, through the eradication of farm schools by replacing them with state-of-the-art boarding schools.

“DD attributed his visionary leadership, which was characterised by massive infrastructure development and human capital in the province, to the masses,” said Ndlovu.

He says Mabuza shaped Mpumalanga as a united province in its diversity.

“In his tenure as the MEC for education, the premier, and later as the deputy president, Mabuza served our province and our country with distinction and with a deep sense of commitment to the ideals of democracy, peace, unity and the upliftment of our people,” emphasised Ndlovu.

He added that Mabuza was driven by the passion to serve until his last breath.

DD and Ndlovu had both been teachers, but they also worked together as provincial ANC chairperson and secretary respectively.

“We shared ideas and learned a lot from each other. As a former educator myself, he shaped my perspective on how commitment can propel you from the class to participate in responsibilities of a bigger scale,” explained Ndlovu.

Ndlovu asked Mpumalanga communities to honour DD for dedicating his life to the service of the country and the province.

He is expected to lead Members of the Executive Council on a visit to the Mabuza family on a date still to be decided.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Presidency is expected to land in Mpumalanga to console Mabuza’s family today, July 4.

The ANC has also sent its condolences.

“On behalf of the ANC, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mabuza’s 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,” said Mbalula in a statement.

“May his soul rest in peace, and may we honour his legacy by continuing the work of building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa,” concluded Mbalula.
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