In a moving tribute to the late former Deputy President David Mabuza, ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile described him as the backbone of many communities during a heartfelt memorial service held at the Phola Sports Field in Masoyi, Mpumalanga, yesterday afternoon. Mabuza, who passed away last week at the age of 64 in a Johannesburg hospital, is remembered as a dedicated leader with a profound impact on the lives of those he served.
The atmosphere at the memorial was steeped in both grief and celebration, as friends, family, and political leaders gathered to honour a man who devoted his life to the service of South Africa. Mashatile’s keynote address resonated with a call to action, invoking a sense of unity within the ANC that he believes should continue Mabuza’s legacy.
“His call for unity of our organisation, as I said when I closed my speech today, that we unite now or we perish,” Mashatile stated, reinforcing a crucial message not just for the ANC, but for all South Africans. He emphasised the importance of collaboration and dedication to the people, reflecting Mabuza’s deep-rooted commitment to community upliftment.
Mabuza, a veteran politician with a rich history in leadership, was credited for his role in local development and social cohesion. As the ANC prepares for his funeral, scheduled for this Saturday, there is a palpable sense of loss mixed with the determination to embody Mabuza’s ideals moving forward.
“We want to take on that lesson from him that our organisation can only be renewed, can only be strong if all of us as comrades unite and work together, but more importantly, continue to serve our people diligently as he did,” Mashatile concluded, rallying the ANC to honour Mabuza’s legacy by advancing the causes he championed during his lifetime.