‘The Cat Has Fallen’: Ramaphosa Declares State Funeral for David Mabuza

South Africa enters mourning as former Deputy President David Mabuza is honoured with full military rites

Former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza, known to many as The Cat, has passed away at the age of 64 after a long illness, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a State Funeral and a period of national mourning.

Mabuza, who served as South Africa’s second-in-command during Ramaphosa’s first term, died on Thursday, marking the end of a tumultuous political journey that saw him evolve from a kingmaker at the ANC’s Nasrec conference to a quiet exit from national politics.

The Kingmaker’s Legacy

Often a controversial and enigmatic figure in South African politics, Mabuza’s decision to back Ramaphosa over Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in 2017 was a defining moment in ANC history and by extension, the national trajectory.

His last-minute pivot toward “unity” was widely credited with securing Ramaphosa’s rise to the presidency, and later triggered the splintering of the ANC’s Radical Economic Transformation faction, paving the way for the formation of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, now led by former president Jacob Zuma.

Mabuza, a former Mpumalanga premier and school principal, was known for operating behind the scenes, earning his nickname The Cat for always landing on his feet, politically and otherwise.

From Moscow Clinics to Political Fade-Out

Mabuza’s time as deputy president was marred by frequent illness, which often kept him out of the public eye. At one point, he spent months in Russia receiving medical treatment, reportedly after being poisoned.

Though he reemerged with the now-famous line “The Cat is back,” his health struggles continued. He did not contest any leadership position at the ANC’s 2022 Nasrec 2 conference, eventually resigning in March 2023, handing over the reins to Paul Mashatile.

A Final Farewell in Mpumalanga

The presidency confirmed that Mabuza will receive a State Funeral Category 2, which includes full military honours, a flag-lowering ceremony, and official recognition of his service.

“David Mabuza was not only a family man, but also an activist, educator, intellectual, and public servant who played a key role in our journey toward freedom and national development,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement of condolence.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, 12 July 2025, in Mpumalanga, the province where Mabuza rose to prominence and served for many years.

Flags at Half-Mast, A Nation Reflects

As part of the national mourning period, flags will fly at half-mast across all government buildings from Monday until Saturday evening.

Ramaphosa called on all South Africans to use this time to reflect on Mabuza’s contributions, both in the struggle for democracy and in building a post-apartheid state, however complex his legacy may be.

A Divisive but Defining Figure

Reactions across the country have been mixed, ranging from tributes to critiques. Some mourn the loss of a strategist and loyal party man, while others recall unresolved questions about Mabuza’s political rise and accusations of patronage networks during his tenure in Mpumalanga.

Still, many have acknowledged his crucial role in South Africa’s transitional period, especially his behind-the-scenes efforts to hold together a deeply divided ANC at a time when the country’s political future hung in the balance.

On X (formerly Twitter), a trending tribute read:

“He was a mystery to many, but a master of power politics. The Cat has fallen. May DD Mabuza rest in peace.”

A Quiet Architect of Power

David Mabuza may not have always been centre stage, but his influence shaped some of South Africa’s most pivotal political moments over the past decade.

As South Africans prepare to say their final goodbyes, the full weight of his legacy, both celebrated and contested, will be felt in his home province and beyond.
The Cat has made his final leap.

{Source: IOL}

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