BREAKING: Former SA VP David Mabuza has died

Former Deputy President of South Africa, David Dabede Mabuza, has passed away at the age of 64, as confirmed by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on 3 July 2025. Mbalula described Mabuza as a patriot, freedom fighter, and leader who served with humility and conviction, dedicating his life to the service of South Africans from the struggle against apartheid to his leadership roles.

It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we learn of the passing of former Deputy President of the Republic and stalwart of our movement, Comrade David Dabede Mabuza. Comrade Mabuza dedicated his life to the service of the people of South Africa. From his days in the struggle against apartheid to his leadership as Premier of Mpumalanga and later as Deputy President, he was a committed cadre who carried the values of unity, discipline, and transformation. On behalf of the African National Congress, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, comrades, and the people of South Africa. 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 the work of building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa.

• Timeline of David Mabuza’s Political Career (Latest to Earliest)

  • February 2023: Resigned as Deputy President of South Africa and Member of Parliament.

  • December 2017 – December 2022: Served as Deputy President of the African National Congress, under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

  • February 2018 – February 2023: Served as Deputy President of South Africa, appointed following Jacob Zuma’s resignation; also served as Member of Parliament during this period until resignation.

  • 6 May 2009 – February 2018: Premier of Mpumalanga Province, consolidating political power in the province.

  • 2008 – 2017: ANC Provincial Chairperson in Mpumalanga, leading the provincial ANC and playing a key role in national ANC politics.

  • 2007: Elected to the ANC National Executive Committee, marking his entry into the ANC’s highest decision-making body between conferences.

  • 2001 – 2004: Served in the national Parliament of South Africa, building national political networks.

  • 1999 – 2001: Served as MEC for Housing in Mpumalanga under Premier Ndaweni Mahlangu.

  • 1994 – 1998: Elected as Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature after South Africa’s first democratic elections; appointed MEC for Education by the Premier. Removed from MEC position after a scandal involving inflated matric results.

  • 1988 – 1991: Chairperson of the South African Democratic Teachers Union, an influential union during the late apartheid and transition period.

  • 1986 – 1988: Chairperson of the National Education Union of South Africa and Treasurer of the Foundation for Education with Production.

  • 1984 – 1985: Secretary of the Azanian Student Organisation, marking his early political activism during the apartheid era.

  This timeline highlights David Mabuza’s rise from student and union activism to becoming one of South Africa’s most influential political figures, known for his populist politics, centralizing power in Mpumalanga, and playing a key role in ANC internal politics.