The African National Congress (ANC) has announced that its first deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane, will visit the home of the late former deputy president David Mabuza in Barberton, Mpumalanga, on Saturday. This visit is intended as a continued expression of the organization's condolences, solidarity, and support to the Mabuza family and the broader community of Mpumalanga, as the nation mourns the loss of a devoted leader and public servant.

David Mabuza passed away on Thursday at the age of 64, succumbing to a short illness at a hospital in Mpumalanga. Born on August 25, 1960, in Phola Trust, Mpumalanga, Mabuza had a distinguished educational background. He earned a National Teacher's Certificate from Mgwenya College of Education in 1985, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Africa in 1989. Before entering the political arena, Mabuza was a trained mathematics teacher and served as a school principal.

Mabuza's extensive career in public service included numerous high-profile government positions. He served as Mpumalanga MEC for Education from 1994 to 1998, and later as Housing MEC from 1999 to 2001. His parliamentary tenure included being an MP between 2001 and 2004, and an Mpumalanga MPL from 2004 to 2007. He was also the MEC for Roads and Transport from 2007 to 2008, before assuming the role of Mpumalanga premier from 2009 to 2018.

Throughout his political life, Mabuza steadily ascended through the ranks of the ANC. His key roles within the party included serving as chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga from 2008 to 2017, and an ex officio member of the national executive committee (NEC) of the ANC since 2007. Earlier in his career, he was deputy chairperson of the ANC Mpumalanga in 2005. His involvement in various educational and student organizations showcased his early commitment to activism, serving as chairperson of the South African Democratic Teachers Union from 1988 to 1991, co-ordinator of the National Education Crisis Committee from 1987 to 1989, chairperson of the National Education Union of South Africa from 1986 to 1988, treasurer of the Foundation for Education with Production from 1986 to 1990, and secretary of the Azanian Student Organisation from 1984 to 1985.

During the 2019 to 2024 term of government, President Cyril Ramaphosa entrusted Mabuza with a range of important responsibilities, further underscoring his significant contributions to the nation.