David Mabuza, the former deputy president of South Africa, passed away on Thursday in Mpumalanga Province at the age of 64. His death was confirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who noted that Mabuza died in a hospital after a brief battle with an undisclosed illness.
President Ramaphosa expressed sadness over the loss, highlighting Mabuza's roots in activism and his contributions to shaping South Africa's international relations. Mabuza played a significant role in supporting Ramaphosa's rise to the presidency, notably during the African National Congress (ANC) election conference in 2017, where he switched his endorsement to Ramaphosa at a crucial moment.
Many South Africans credited Mabuza with helping to steer the country away from the controversial leadership of Jacob Zuma, who was seen as attempting to maintain control over the party. Following Zuma's resignation in 2018, Ramaphosa appointed Mabuza as deputy president.
Despite his political acumen, Mabuza's career was overshadowed by allegations of corruption. An investigation revealed that he had amassed influence through questionable means, including bribery and misallocation of funds intended for public services, which contributed to deteriorating conditions in schools within Mpumalanga.
Born on August 25, 1960, in Phola Trust township, Mabuza held a bachelor's degree in psychology and was previously a mathematics teacher and anti-AIDS activist. He is survived by his wife and children, although further details about his family were not disclosed.
As Mabuza's political influence waned, he declined a nomination to run for another term as deputy leader during the ANC's 2022 conference, marking a significant end to his political career.