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[File Image] Former Deputy President David Mabuza speaks at Former Minister Zola Skweyiya’s memorial service in 2018.
The private burial service for former Deputy President David Mabuza will be held at Barbeton in Mpumalanga on Saturday and will follow the state funeral Category 2 at Hoerskool Bergvlam in Mbombela.
Government officials, political party leaders and struggle stalwarts were among the mourners who visited the homestead of Mabuza to pay their respects.
Mabuza passed on after a short illness on Thursday last week.
Flags are flying at half mast to mark the mourning period.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the mourning period and accorded Mabuza state funeral Category 2.
Mabuza family spokesperson Desmond Moela says, “The funeral will take place in Nelspruit, Bergvlam. That’s where the funeral service will take place. And then immediately after the official service, which has been declared by the Presidency or the government of the Republic of South Africa, the family will, therefore, be afforded an opportunity to have their private service, after the official service.”
Meanwhile, struggle stalwart Joe Nkuna has described Mabuza as a selfless leader who was dedicated to the struggle.
Nkuna visited the Mabuza homestead in Barberton to pay his respect.
He says Mabuza was one of the few people who were not obsessed with leadership positions.
“He was a selfless person. Every time we wanted to elevate him, he said, ‘No, my time will come’. Now, I’m still on the learning curve. I don’t think now I’m mature enough,” explains Nkuna.
ANC NEC member, Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlabo also paid his respect.
“Most of us, we are still reeling in shock and we never believed that this will arise at the time. All of us had hoped that Deputy President Mabuza was feeling much much better, and it was all of a sudden, but we have come to terms [with his passing]. Now, that he played his part, let us allow him to rest. There are many memories that we are going to cherish at an individual level … a number of us when the ANC was unbanned.”
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, says they have learned a lot from Mabuza.
She says he was punctual.
