Former South African Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza, a prominent figure in the African National Congress (ANC) and one of the most influential leaders in Mpumalanga’s political history, has died at the age of 64.
The ANC confirmed Mabuza’s passing on Wednesday, announcing that he died in a private hospital in Sandton, Johannesburg, after a period of illness. The exact cause of death has not yet been made public, but sources close to the family say he had been receiving medical care for several weeks.
Mabuza, affectionately known as “The Cat” for his political resilience, served as South Africa’s Deputy President from February 2018 to February 2023 under President Cyril Ramaphosa. He was also Deputy President of the ANC from December 2017 until December 2022, playing a pivotal role in Ramaphosa’s rise to the presidency during the turbulent final days of Jacob Zuma’s administration.
Born on 25 August 1960 in Phola, near Middelburg, Mpumalanga, Mabuza began his career as a teacher and school principal. He joined the fight against apartheid through student and teacher movements in the 1980s and steadily climbed the ANC’s provincial structures. He served as Mpumalanga’s Premier from 2009 to 2018, cementing his influence as a powerbroker in the region.
In a statement, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula praised Mabuza’s decades of service: “Comrade Mabuza dedicated his life to the people of South Africa. He worked tirelessly for unity, discipline, and transformation within the ANC and in government.”
Following his resignation in 2023, Mabuza largely retreated from the public eye, focusing on his health and family life. He is survived by his wife and children.
Funeral arrangements and memorial details will be announced by the ANC in due course.
Mabuza’s passing marks the end of an era for the ANC’s so-called “Premier League” faction and leaves a complex legacy of political survival, provincial power, and loyalty to the ruling party during some of its most turbulent years.
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