On a solemn Saturday morning in Mbombela, hearts were heavy as the nation gathered to say goodbye to one of its most complex and quiet public servants — former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza.
At the official state funeral, held at Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mpumalanga, President Cyril Ramaphosa led the tributes with words both tender and reflective. He described Mabuza not only as a skilled leader but as a man who sought unity in a nation often divided.
“To some, he was the ‘cat with nine lives’,” Ramaphosa said, referencing Mabuza’s resilience through political storms. “But beyond politics, he was a man of sharp intellect, deep pragmatism, and quiet resolve.”
Born in the rural community of Phola Trust in 1960, Mabuza rose through the ranks with a passion rooted in education. He was once a schoolteacher — and that early love never left him. His legacy includes championing rural boarding schools, breaking down barriers for children living on farms to access quality education.
In his tribute, Ramaphosa emphasized Mabuza’s loyalty to the ANC and his dream of unity within the movement. As Premier of Mpumalanga, Mabuza earned a reputation for working across communities, embracing all races, traditions, and ideas, while restoring dignity to traditional leadership.
But it was his family’s words that struck the deepest chords.
Mxolisi, his son, remembered a man of discipline and high expectations — a father who reminded them they were standing on the shoulders of sacrifices. “Education was one of his greatest passions,” he said. “He constantly reminded us that it was a tool for freedom.”
Angela, his daughter, offered a moving portrait of a father who balanced stern discipline with unwavering support. “Dad didn’t just walk — he moved with purpose,” she said, her voice heavy with grief and pride. “It was like he knew he had a calling. And he carried that purpose into every room, every role, every day.”
David Mabuza passed away last Thursday at a hospital in Sandton after a brief illness. He was 64.
From humble beginnings to the upper echelons of government, Mabuza served in various roles, including MEC for Education, ANC regional chair, and eventually Deputy President of South Africa. Throughout his career, he remained a quiet force — often avoiding the spotlight, but always working behind the scenes.
As South Africa laid him to rest, Ramaphosa posed a question that echoed throughout the hall and beyond: “Do we seek public office for the rewards we think we can reap, or do we lead to improve the lives of our people?”
David Mabuza’s life — with its trials, complexities, and contributions — quietly answered that question.