DD Mabuza: ‘Mpumalanga’s political godfather’

BARBERTON – Former Deputy President, David Dabede Mabuza, was the party’s Mpumalanga chairperson for three terms.

Regarded as a strong man and political Godfather, he went on to become the ANC’s second in command in 2017, expanding his political influence in the party.

He died last week at the age of 64.

Bishop Gadi Manzini knew Mabuza during his school days and also watched his teaching career and political growth over the years.

He said, “He was a strategic thinker, a principled leader of note. A teacher par excellent because he was a teacher. I even saw him when he was training at Mgwenya college. I used to find him with his friends there at the post office. You would sometimes wonder and realise, what are they discussing there. But, with me it was not a problem because I knew that he became a comrade while he was still young.”

WATCH: RIP David Mabuza | Mashatile shares thoughts about the former deputy president

Sizwe sama Yende is a journalist and author who has covered and written extensively about the former deputy president.

He says despite his divisive politics, DD Mabuza was a force to be reckoned with.

He said, “In Mpumalanga, he started from the bottom. He was patient enough to allow other leaders to lead him before he came out clearly that he wants to be the provincial chairperson. He was a godfather indeed, a big figure of this province. He is the only chairperson of the ANC actually who was elected three times. So far, he is the only premier to serve two terms in the province so that tells you what kind of an animal he was. A giant.”

One leadership expert believes Mabuza’s legacy is very complex, and that his leadership qualities helped his party succeed in Mpumalanga.

He aligned with other ANC Provincial Chairpersons including Ace Magashule in the Free State and Supra Mahumapelo in the North West.

The trio became known as the premier league.  

A UKZN political analyst describes DD as a tactician.

The Cat, as Mabuza was affectionately known, will be laid to rest on Saturday in Mpumalanga.