David Mabuza, former Deputy President of South Africa and influential ANC leader, has died at age 64. He played a key role in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s rise to power and served as Mpumalanga Premier before becoming deputy president. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

David Mabuza, the former Deputy President of South Africa and a long-standing member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has died at the age of 64, the party confirmed on Thursday. His death marks the end of a notable political journey that spanned decades, from the anti-apartheid struggle to the upper echelons of national leadership. While the specific cause of death has not been officially disclosed, reports from local media indicate that Mabuza passed away in a hospital.

Mabuza’s political influence was felt across multiple levels of government. He served as the Deputy President of South Africa from 2018 to 2023 during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration and held the position of Deputy President of the ANC from 2017 until 2022. Known for his strategic political alliances, Mabuza played a crucial role in Ramaphosa's rise to the ANC presidency during the party’s 2017 elective conference. His support at that critical moment helped shift the internal balance of power within the ANC, ultimately facilitating Ramaphosa’s path to becoming the president of South Africa.

Before stepping onto the national stage, Mabuza was a prominent provincial leader. From 2009 to 2018, he served as the Premier of Mpumalanga province, a role in which he gained considerable influence and earned the nickname “The Cat” due to his political resilience. His tenure in Mpumalanga was marked by both political loyalty and controversy, with allegations of corruption and patronage swirling around his administration—though no formal charges were ever brought against him.

Mabuza’s political style was often described as quiet but effective. After resigning as deputy president in 2023, he retreated from the political spotlight, leading many to believe he had retired from public life. However, he briefly returned in 2024 to campaign for the ANC during the general elections, signaling his continued loyalty to the party and its mission.

Tributes have poured in following news of his death. In an official statement, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described Mabuza as a “committed cadre” who remained devoted to the people of South Africa throughout his career. “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,” Mbalula said.

Mabuza’s passing leaves behind a complex legacy—one that reflects both his deep roots in the liberation movement and his role in shaping the post-apartheid political landscape of South Africa. As the nation mourns, his contribution to public service and political strategy will be remembered as a significant part of South Africa’s democratic evolution.