Thousands of mourners, including family, President Cyril Ramaphosa, former President Thabo Mbeki, cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries flocked Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, for the funeral service of former Deputy President, David Mabuza, on Saturday.
The 64-year-old Mabuza passed away last week Thursday at a Sandton Mediclinic, following a short illness, and was accorded a State Funeral Category 2.
Mabuza’s son, Mxolisi, said although the family knew that they had to share him with the nation, he made enough time to spend with them, inquired about their education, daily lives, and other life-related challenges amongst others.
“He belonged to a wider world, and we shared him willingly, though not always easily.
Because we understood that he didn’t just serve his country, he truly belonged in it.
When he was with us, he was fully present, never distracted, never hurried.
The time he gave us was very rare, but was truly rich, undisturbed, deliberate and full of purpose.
He was in every sense, an extraordinary man,” said Mxolisi.
Other family members described him as a disciplinarian, whose greatest passion was education.
This they attributed to his time when he was a Maths teacher.
Meanwhile, Mabuza’s widow, Nonhlanhla, said she’s still in disbelief that he’s no more, as she remembered their last time they spoke.
Nonhlanhla’s message was read by family representative, Nomsa Mnisi.
“When you left for your regular checkups, I didn’t worry.
You always came back to us, to your favourite place, home.
I remember our last call.
You said you slept well, that the bloods were okay, just a small concern with your oxygen levels.
You sounded like yourself, still full of hope, still making plans.
We even laughed, wondering what time you’d be home.
‘See you later,’ you said.
We knew what that meant.
We carried on with our day, expecting you as we always did.
I didn’t know that that call would be the last,” read the message.
The couple met 23-years-ago, and Nonhlanhla said she had to accept in the early years of their relationship that she was ‘sharing’ him with the nation and had to adjust to it.
“Our honeymoon phase was short-lived, as I soon realized I was sharing you, not with another woman, but with a greater calling.
And you would understand.
Like any young wife, I struggled with that at first.
But seeing the joy, the purpose, and the impact you brought to the people of Mpumalanga, I came to embrace my place beside you, as your partner in life, with love and pride,” remarked Nonhlanhla.
Meanwhile, delivering the eulogy, President Ramaphosa described the ceremony as a moment of sombre reflection, adding that Mabuza made a great contribution to the freedom of the country.
“We are gathered here today in solemn remembrance to honour the life of a man who, in many ways, made a huge contribution to our journey to a democratic South Africa.
We are also here to celebrate the life of a fine son of Mpumalanga and a man of the people.
“We are also here to celebrate the life of a fine son of Mpumalanga and a man of the people.
It is as a servant of the people for which our departed leader and comrade David Dabede Mabuza will be best known and for which he will be forever remembered.
David Mabuza, DD, as he was fondly known, was a revered leader not only in his home province of Mpumalanga but throughout the country as well,” said Ramaphosa.
In addition, he said Mabuza was not a man for the pomp and ceremony of high office, but as someone who preferred to be on the ground with the masses of our people, listening to their concerns and working to improve their lives and who has left a big legacy.
“Over the past days, we have heard from several young citizens of Mpumalanga, who have described him as a father of the community, who helped bring development to many rural parts of Mpumalanga.
Today in this province, there are families who now live in decent homes because during door-to-door campaigns, DD intervened on the spot and at some point, dug into his own pockets to meet their needs.
Those houses were not built after years of follow-up meetings.
They were erected within months because he was not one to make empty promises,” said Ramaphosa.
The President added that he will forever cherish and honour the five years he and Mabuza spent as President and Deputy President of South Africa.
