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[File photo] Late former deputy president David Mabuza and current Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) structures have hailed the late former Deputy President David Mabuza as a sharp political leader.
The ANCYL visited the home of Mabuza, to pay tribute in Barberton, Mpumalanga.
ANCYL President, Collen Malatji described Mabuza as a spear that has fallen but has promised that the younger generation will continue to champion his vision.
“A former educator, a man who believed so much in education and the youth of this country, we are here to say that as the Youth League we say the spear has fallen. But generations are taking it forward. It is no longer a matter of negotiating, anyone above the age of 65 can’t lead the ANC anymore. We are going to influence the NEC of the ANC, we will be hosting the NEC of the youth league now in September, and it must be a constitutional requirement of the ANC that when reaching 65 years, one must retire. It must must be law and we must set an example for others to follow. We can’t say that 65 years and older are pensioners in the country but when it comes to people in Parliament, we have an exception.”
The ANCYL President, Cde Collen Malatji, accompanied by Treasurer General, Cde Zwelo Masilela, and NEC members Cde Sthembile Mhlongo, Cde Mbalizonke Magubane, Cde Eugene Manana, and Cde Jacob Tau, visited the Mabuza homestead earlier today to convey condolences to the bereaved… pic.twitter.com/naItlvu8zj
— ANCYL (@ANCYLhq) July 6, 2025
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has called for leaders in the country to emulate Mabuza’s leadership style.
“There are many premiers in this country that are comfortable, as I’m talking to you now, the kings and queens and traditional leaders are complaining because they are not getting the same service as we are getting here in Mpumalanga. We have got two kings in Mpumalanga and they have been provided with tools of trade such as cars. Now the question is if Mpumalanga can do that why can’t other provinces do that? There is no political will by some of our leaders in the country,” says Contralesa President, Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena.
Mabuza will be laid to rest on Saturday. Memorial services have been scheduled for Thursday in the three regions of the province of Mpumalanga.
