South African politicians continue to share interesting accounts of their dealings with the late former deputy president David DD Mabuza who was pronounced dead on thursday following a long battle with illness.
On friday comrades and former colleagues of Mabuza took turns visiting his home in Brynston Johannesburg where a large press contingent camped outside for the entire day.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said he was unable to honour a request for a meeting made by the former Mpumalanga Premier shortly before his passing.
“I got a message that he wants to see me when I was about to leave last week. So I asked one of my emissaries to go and see him on some of the issues that he wants to reflect with us. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get any feedback.But we are not only shattered, we are limping heavily,” said Lesufi after paying his respects.
As Gauteng ANC Privincial Chairperson Lesufi ropped in the retired Mabuza to help the ANC in its 2024 campaign amid an onslaught by opposition parties. The two appeared side by side during a rally in Alexandra township.
“I personally drove to see him.To request not only for him to campaign for us,but to mobilise all the relevant resources that he has at our disposal to protect and safeguard our province.When he said, I’m from Mpumalanga, he understood our plea and he really provided the support. And as I said, he’s a master tactician.He sees things that we can’t see. He provides guidance where sometimes you don’t even ask for that guidance, he will voluntarily provide that,” said Lesufi.
Alleged poisoning
Ace Magashule who served as ANC Secretary General when Mabuza was the party’s deputy president reflected on their rise to power through the so-called ‘Premier League’ a powerful block constituted by Premiers and provincial chairpersons who were kingmakers during the national conferences of 2012 and 2017. It was around this period that Mabuza got seriously ill allegedly after being poisoned and the faction whisked him out of the country for treatment in Russia.
“ When we knew that allegedly he has been poisoned, and we checked with all the hospitals, we checked with the Cubans, we checked all over, we realised that you might have good hospitals here, public and privatebut we felt that the best thing is to go to Russia. And that’s where Jalinchale was actually assisted. Because Russia, even with the late DSG , we were thinking that Russia, because of their nuclear hospitals and all that,it’s not that we undermine the health system, it’s just that there are certain things which we don’t have in terms of skills,” said Magashule.
A man of principle
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mohaule who worked with Mabuza for many years both in Mpumalanga and in the national government said the former premier was a man of principle who wouldn’t compromise on his work ethic which she said included strict adherence to time.
“He was a man of time, a man of his word. (1:57) What he said, he has said.When he says a meeting is 6 o’clock, half past 5 is there. We never, no one, none of us as MECs ever beat him on time. He’s always on time.And he will tell us that don’t allow people to wait for you wait for the people. You must arrive before the people arrive.That’s how Mabuza is. And he inherited that to us. DD Mabuza would differ with you, when he differs with you, he tells you straight. Even with me, at some stage, we differed. And he doesn’t hide. he’d just tell me ‘sister, I’m leaving you now and when he comes back, he comes back to you and says ‘sister I need you now,” said Mohaule.
Mabuza’s mortal remains arrived at his Brynston home late on Friday afternoon and spent a brief period before being transported to Barberton in Mpumalanga where he’s expected to be laid to rest in state funeral on July 12.