Culture Craze

Quiet Power: Remembering Former Deputy President David Mabuza, Dead at 64

Published

3 months ago

July 4, 2025

Chiraag

The man behind the political curtain

South Africa bids farewell to one of its most enigmatic political figures. David Mabuza, the country’s former Deputy President, passed away on 3 July 2025 at the age of 64 following a period of illness.

Known for his behind-the-scenes influence and elusive public presence, Mabuza’s death has drawn an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum. Though seldom in the media spotlight, his impact on the ruling party and the national government was undeniable and often underestimated.

From classroom to cabinet

Born into a farming family in rural Mpumalanga, David Dabede Mabuza began his working life as a teacher. It was his passion for student politics that would ultimately redirect his path toward national leadership.

After the dawn of democracy in 1994, Mabuza joined the Mpumalanga Executive Council and went on to serve as Premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 to 2018. His loyalty to the African National Congress (ANC) saw him rise steadily through the party ranks, culminating in his appointment as Deputy President of South Africa in 2018, serving under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

A Deputy President who preferred the shadows

Throughout his term, Mabuza remained a low-profile figure. His leadership was marked by a series of long absences, often due to health concerns. His regular visits to Russia for medical treatment sparked speculation about the nature of his condition and his fitness for office.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mabuza’s absence from public briefings and delayed appearances in Parliament drew criticism and curiosity alike. But while he may have been missing from the podium, he led two critical portfolios: the ministerial war room on energy and a panel on land reform, both politically charged and complex areas of government.

Loyalty, strategy, and quiet influence

Mabuza was not just a political survivor; he was a kingmaker. A long-time supporter of Jacob Zuma, he initially backed Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in the ANC’s hotly contested 2017 leadership race. In a surprising pivot, he later shifted support to Cyril Ramaphosa, a move that played a key role in Ramaphosa securing the party presidency.

Some hailed him as a skilled strategist who prioritised stability. Others saw him as a shrewd powerbroker navigating the ANC’s internal divisions. Either way, Mabuza’s actions had ripple effects that shaped South Africa’s recent political direction.

David Mabuza passes away, death of Deputy President South Africa, David Dabede Mabuza political career, ANC mourning Mabuza, South African leadership transition, 2025 political news SA, Cyril Ramaphosa deputy dies, David Mabuza illness and legacy, South African politics 2025, Joburg ETC

Image 1: News24

A quiet exit, a lasting imprint

Mabuza stepped down as Deputy President in 2023, following Paul Mashatile’s election at the ANC’s national conference in December 2022. His departure from frontline politics was as quiet as much of his public career; no big farewell, no sweeping speeches. Just the silence that always defined his style.

His death, confirmed by President Ramaphosa and the ANC on 3 July, took place in a Johannesburg hospital after a short illness.

Tributes from the ANC and beyond

In a statement, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said:

“We have lost a patriot, a freedom fighter, and a leader who served with humility and conviction. May his soul rest in peace, and may we honour his legacy by continuing to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa.”

Across social media, former colleagues, critics, and the public have shared condolences and reflections on a man who, for all his mystery, left a deep imprint on South Africa’s post-apartheid political journey.

A legacy wrapped in complexity

David Mabuza was never the loudest voice in the room. He wasn’t a headline-hunter or fiery orator. Instead, he was a politician who thrived in the shadows: calculated, cautious, and, to some, misunderstood.

His legacy is one of loyalty, quiet power, strategic ambiguity, and service. In his silence, he left space for impact. In his absence, a complicated chapter of South African politics draws to a close.