Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Politics in South Africa lost a prominent player following the death of former Deputy President David Mabuza at the age of 64. The African National Congress (ANC) confirmed Thursday the passing of the veteran leader, although news regarding his last hospitalization is not yet public.
Mabuza’s political journey mirrored that of modern South African history, from activist against the apartheid regime to kingmaker. His taciturn yet firm backing of Cyril Ramaphosa during the ANC’s tumultuous 2017 leadership struggle was instrumental in shaping the country’s current political trajectory. That pivotal nod, extended from his stronghold as Mpumalanga premier, helped guide Ramaphosa both into the ANC presidency and subsequently onto the Union Buildings.
The late leader’s career embodied the complexity of post-apartheid politics. For nearly a decade (2009-2018), he dominated Mpumalanga with a combination of grassroots and political savvy that earned him the common nickname “The Cat” for his sudden situational reversals. His 2018-2023 experience as deputy president saw him toiling in Ramaphosa’s shadow, normally avoiding the limelight but maintaining key connections within the ANC’s bickering factions.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula’s obituary painted a portrait of ideological commitment: “From struggle in the underground to constitutional democracy, Comrade Mabuza bore the torch of unity when others desired division.” But the politician’s legacy is multifaceted, exalted for his capacity to construct consensus while sometimes clouded by egregious corruption allegations during his Mpumalanga days.
Mabuza’s low-profile 2023 resignation and low-profile campaigning in the intervening time were an uncharacteristically subdued exit for a leader once among South Africa’s most powerful. His passing now invites reflection on a transitional generation of leaders who are bridging the challenges of the anti-apartheid movement and democratic rule, as this generation gradually gives way to rising political forces.
Commentators observe that Mabuza’s death coincides with a vulnerable moment for the ANC. The party, which he served for decades, now receives its largest electoral challenge since 1994, so his mode of backroom coalition politics is perhaps in greater demand than ever. For President Ramaphosa, the passing removes both an old friend and a living connection to the ANC’s historical base of support, a reminder that in South African politics, even subdued departures make for resonant vacancies.
Flags will be at half-mast, but the true extent of Mabuza’s legacy will only emerge months from now, as the ANC navigates the politics of coalitions without one of its most seasoned bargainers. His life was quintessentially South African—a revolutionary who helped govern the democracy he had been fighting to create, with all the contradictions that transformation brought.
