Source: President of South Africa –
Programme Directors,
Deputy President Paul Mashatile,
The Mabuza family,
Former Presidents and Deputy Presidents,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Premier of Mpumalanga, Mr Mandla Ndlovu,
Judge-President of the Mpumalanga High Court, Justice Segopotje Mphahlele,
Esteemed Rrpresentatives of fellow African countries,
Members of Parliament,
Members of the Mpumalanga Executive Council,
Leadership of the African National Congress, Alliance partners and the broader liberation movement,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Traditional and religious leaders,
People of Mpumalanga,
Nine bekuNene, maLangeni lamahle.
Fellow Mourners,
We are gathered here today in solemn remembrance, to honour the life of a man who, in many ways, made a huge contribution on our journey to a democratic South Africa.
But we are also here to celebrate the life of a fine son of Mpumalanga and a man of the people.
It is as a servant of the people for which our departed leader and comrade David Dabede Mabuza will be best known and for which he will be forever remembered.
David Mabuza, DD as he was fondly known, was a revered leader not only in his home province of Mpumalanga but throughout the country as well.
He served as our country’s Deputy President, as Premier of Mpumalanga and as the Deputy President of his movement, the African National Congress.
When he served as a Member of Parliament and as the Leader of Government Business, he proved to be a renowned political strategist, always deftly navigating the very difficult balance amongst parliamentary parties.
In all his roles he was often described as strategic, enigmatic and fiercely loyal to the cause of stability and unity.
Yet despite his stature, he was forever humble. His own humble beginnings infused him with a mission to uplift our people.
He was most happy when he was among the people. He never isolated himself from them. He never lost the common touch.
Since the news came of his passing, we have seen throngs of ordinary citizens, traditional leaders and political leaders from across the spectrum flocking to DD’s home in Barberton to pay their respects.
Such was his popularity. Such was his ability to unite the people of this province.
David Mabuza was not a man for standing on podiums and giving long speeches.
He was not a man for the pomp and ceremony of high office. He preferred to be on the ground with the masses of our people, listening to their concerns and working to improve their lives.
Over the past days we have heard from a number of young citizens of Mpumalanga who have described him as a father of the community, who helped bring development to many rural parts of Mpumalanga.
He was a man of sharp intellect, deep pragmatism and quiet resolve. To some, he was the “cat with nine lives” — resilient in the face of political storms.
But to many in his home province and beyond, he was a source of support, a provider of opportunities, and a champion for rural development and education.
His political activism began from a very young age. His former principal recalls how he was still in primary school when he first got involved in politics, first through the Black Consciousness Movement and later as a unionist.
David Dabede Mabuza loved education. When he finished high school, he chose to enter the teaching profession.
We have heard outpourings of love from those he encouraged to study.
There are probably some of his former high school learners among us today, people who still called him Sir and Meneer because they clung to his passion for education long after he left the classroom.
Mpumalanga has so many more boarding schools in rural areas because DD wanted to eradicate the barrier to education for farm children.
True to his calling, the legacy that our former Deputy President leaves us is that of being quick to respond to matters of service delivery.
Today in this province, there are families who now live in decent homes because during door-to-door campaigns, DD intervened on the spot and at some point, dug into his own pockets to meet their needs.
Those houses were not built after years of follow-up meetings. They were erected within months because he was not one to make empty promises.
I had the privilege of serving alongside DD for five years in government, and during this time I came to know him as a person who understood the responsibility that he had been given.
He was dependable, reliable and an excellent deputy.
As Leader of Government Business in Parliament he worked to ensure that the will of the people was reflected in the laws of the land and in the programmes of the state.
In all his responsibilities as Deputy President, from land reform to HIV and AIDS, from anti-poverty initiatives to addressing the needs of veterans, David Mabuza could always be relied on.
We will always remember him as a unifier.
As Premier he was committed to unifying the different people of the Land of the Rising Sun: emaSwati, amaNdebele, baPedi, maPulana, Indian, coloured and white.
In death, he has once again brought us all together across many nations and continents to mourn, to pay homage, to remember and to fondly reminisce.
He had a very close relationship with traditional leaders and especially worked to restore the dignity of the traditional leaders of Mpumalanga.
He did so because he stayed rooted in his culture and amongst his kindred. The allure of high office failed to change him and isolate him from the people.
In his eternal sleep, he is demonstrating that our many differences along political party and racial lines and the numerous disputes we may have are eclipsed by our shared desire to follow his lead in building a just, equitable and caring society.
He stood firm for the unity of his movement, the ANC, and it was his lifelong dream to see a strong, united ANC.
David Mabuza leaves behind a legacy of someone who sought to ensure that the centre held.
He played a key role in maintaining balance in deeply divided political times
We had hoped he was going to be with us longer, especially at such a time in our country, when we are facing many challenges.
As we work together to overcome these challenges, we draw strength, encouragement and comfort from the richness and profound meaning of his life.
The sad and untimely passing of our fellow comrade is a time for the leaders of this country to reflect.
Do we seek public office because of the rewards we think we can reap, or do we take on the mantle of leadership so that we may improve the lives of our people?
Are we as selfless as we profess to be? Are we builders and unifiers, or do we divide and break?
These questions are easy to ask, but sometimes difficult to answer.
With the passing of a leader of the calibre of David Mabuza, we are left with a void.
In the words of King Solomon in the Book of Proverbs 19:17:
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Mshengu, Shabalala, Ludonga lwaMavuso waNgwane –– indima yakho uyidlalile mnaka.
To the Mabuza and Mnisi families, loved ones, friends and his political family the ANC, we offer you our heartfelt condolences.
May you find comfort in the knowledge that he gave his all to his movement, to his country and to his people.
To you my dear brother DD, I am here to bid you farewell.
You walked the path not always lit,
Through the dust of doubt, you did commit.
I worked with you and saw your commitment
Your voice was not loud, but it was firm and still,
You were able to shape the course with quiet will.
I saw you bear the weight of province and land,
With measured step and steady hand.
Though storms did gather, and winds did sway,
You held the centre night and day.
Now rest, my brother, brave son of the African soil,
Your work is done and complete.
The country remembers you.
Rest in eternal peace, DD.
I thank you.
