The country is still reeling in shock following the passing of former deputy president and former second in command of the African National Congress (ANC), David Mabuza.
He passed away at a Johannesburg hospital on Thursday at the age of 64.
“The Cat” – as he was affectionately known to some of his comrades – was born in 1960 at Phola near Hazyview in the Mpumalanga province.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will visit the Mabuza family home in Bryanston, north of Johannesburg, on Friday, to pass his condolences.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at his passing.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is saddened by his passing. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says: “President Ramaphosa is 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. The Former Deputy President deserves our appreciation for his deep commitment to the liberation struggle and the nation’s development as an inclusive, prosperous, democratic state.”
President Ramaphosa saddened by the death of David Mabuza:
Tributes across SA
Mabuza cut his political teeth in the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) of Stephen Bantu Biko, and his former political home, AZAPO, expressed its shock at his passing.
AZAPO president, Nelvis Qekema, says they will miss his humility.
”On behalf of Azapo, I would like to take this opportunity to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of comrade Mabuza and the ANC. You may remember that he cut his political teeth in the BCM. What a likeable person he was, what an approachable person he was, very easy, that empathy that was overflowing. We really feel that we have lost as a country. We needed him more than ever, particularly when our country is at the crossroads, more especially when the country is about to hold a national dialogue that is oncoming.”
And for their part, the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) PAC Secretary General, Apa Pooe, says the country has lost a selfless public servant in Mabuza.
”The PAC has learnt with sadness about the passing of the former deputy president, David Mabuza. We extend our condolences to his family, friends and his party, the ANC. While we differ politically and ideologically, we acknowledge his contribution to the country’s political order and efforts made towards rural development and land reform.”
ANC alliance partners also weighed in. South African Communist (SACP) Spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana says forging the unity of the alliance would be a fitting tribute to Mabuza.
“As the SACP, we recognise that comrade David Mabuza had a long journey in his political development from the trade unions, to being the chair of Mpumalanga, its premier and the deputy president of the country. We think the fitting tribute for the deputy president of his magnitude is for the alliance to continue to work on its unity so that it can reclaim its glory in terms of the leadership for the people of SA.”
Meanwhile, the Presidency says further announcements will be made in due course on memorial arrangements and the honours with which the country will pay its final respects to the country’s former second in command.
A look at the political profile of David Mabuza:
