-
Former DP David Mabuza speaks at Former Minister Zola Skweyiya’s memorial service in 2018.
Former Deputy President David Mabuza has died at the age of 64.
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, announced this in a statement a few moments ago.
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.
Comrade Mabuza dedicated his life to the service of the people of South Africa. From his days in the… pic.twitter.com/BZXbdRD2wB
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) July 3, 2025
Born on 25 August 1960 in Phola Trust, Mpumalanga, DD, as he was affectionately known, served as South Africa’s Deputy President from 2018 to 2023 under President Cyril Ramaphosa. A trained mathematics teacher and school principal, he held a BA in Psychology from Unisa and began his political journey through education activism in the 1980s.
Mabuza rose through the ranks of the ANC, serving as the fourth Premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 until 2018 before he moved to serve the party and South Africa’s Deputy President from December 2018 until 2023.
He resigned as a Member of Parliament in 2023 in a move that paved the way for President Ramaphosa to appoint incumbent Deputy President, Paul Mashatile.
Mabuza had previously led the party in Mpumalanga as provincial chairperson from 2008 to 2017, and was an ex officio member of the ANC National Executive Committee from 2007.
In government, he has also held several MEC positions in education, housing, transport and agriculture, while as Deputy President, he was tasked with leading government business in Parliament, coordinating land reform, anti-poverty efforts, the HIV/AIDS response, and later, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 vaccines.
Mabuza also chaired the Cabinet Committees on Governance and Security and established the DD Mabuza Foundation in 2014 to support education and vulnerable communities.
In September 2015, Mabuza fell seriously ill and collapsed, prompting widespread speculation about the cause. While early reports cited severe fatigue or a possible stroke. He later told the media that he had been poisoned. He took a two-month leave of absence from his role as Mpumalanga Premier, during which Vusi Shongwe served in an acting capacity.
Following his recovery, Mabuza dubbed himself “The Cat” in reference to surviving what he described as political attacks.
It later emerged that he had travelled to a state hospital in Moscow for specialised treatment in October 2015.
As a former Deputy President, Mabuza will receive a Category 2 State Funeral with prescribed military ceremonial honours.
Gallery of Mabuza:
