African National Congress National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe
African National Congress (ANC) National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe addressed mourners at one of three memorial services held in Mpumalanga in honor of the late former Deputy President David Mabuza.
The memorial services, taking place simultaneously across three regions of the province, saw various ANC members and representatives from other political parties gather to pay their respects to the departed leader.
Speaking in Mayflower, Mantashe called on ANC members and supporters to unite, emphasizing Mabuza’s strong belief in the unity of the ANC branches and its alliance partners. He paid homage to Mabuza, highlighting his dedication to the party and his contributions to the country.
Mabuza’s sister, Zandile Mabuza, also spoke at the Phola Village memorial service, expressing sadness over her brother’s unwavering dedication to the ANC, which she said left little time for family. She urged the ANC to encourage its leaders to prioritize family time despite their demanding public duties.
However, a distressing moment came as the Zandile expressed their profound distress over the media’s swift reporting of Mabuza’s passing before they had been officially informed.
“It was heartbreaking to read and watch on TV about his death and have people call us to make sure if it’s true, while we knew nothing about his death. Despite all the positions that he once held in government and in the ANC, after all, he was human, and he had family and people who cared for him. The entire family felt disrespected,” said the family.
Mabuza’s children remembered him as a “pillar of strength” who believed in them before they even believed in themselves. They shared that despite his demanding schedule, he always made time to support them, pushing them to work hard and achieve their dreams. He ensured they had a safe environment and all their needs were met, offering unwavering support even when they made mistakes.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile lauded Mabuza as a “dedicated servant of the people, a seasoned leader of our movement, and a stalwart of the democratic struggle.”
Mashatile emphasised Mabuza’s humility and commitment to service. “Mabuza was not a medal- or attention-seeker; instead he was the backbone of many communities and he served with dignity and humanity. In the African National Congress, he set an example for a cadre of the organisation in the execution of his duties and serving the people.”
He added that Mabuza fostered unity through collaboration with all stakeholders, including traditional leaders and community organisations.
Mashatile further highlighted Mabuza’s unwavering dedication to fostering unity, not only within the ANC, but across the entire country. “He was committed to fighting the demon of factionalism in the movement, and this is the commitment that he lived up to until he departed,” Mashatile affirmed.
