Ramaphosa declares a State Funeral for former deputy president DD Mabuza,
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a period of national mourning following the death of former deputy president David Dabede Mabuza, who will also be given a State Funeral.
Mabuza, aged 64, died on Thursday, after a long illness. The former deputy president retired from active politics at the end of the first Ramaphosa administration.
At the Nasrec 1 ANC elective conference, Mabuza became the kingmaker for Ramaphosa, switching sides at the last minute. He had been widely expected to back Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma before he opted for "unity", as his slate went with Ramaphosa instead.
Arguably, Mabuza's actions gave rise to the birth of former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (MK Party) - a breakaway party from the ANC's Radical Economic Transformation faction.
Mabuza spent much of his time in office sick and for a prolonged period, he spent time in Russia getting medical care after he had been allegedly poisoned. He did return to political life, declaring the Cat is back, but that was not to last long.
He did not contest any leadership positions at the Nasrec 2 ANC elective conference in December 2022, leading to Paul Mashatile taking up the position of ANC deputy president and ultimately, the country's deputy president when Mabuza resigned in March 2023.
'In honour of his service to the nation, President Ramaphosa has declared that Mabuza will be accorded a State Funeral Category 2,' according to a statement by the presidency.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, 12 July 2025, in Mpumalanga, with further details to be announced in the coming days.
According to the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual, a Category 2 state funeral is reserved for sitting or former Deputy Presidents, Acting Presidents, and certain other high-ranking officials.
It includes full military ceremonial honours.
To mark the mourning period, the president has instructed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all government buildings and flag stations across the country from Monday until the evening of Saturday.
In his message of condolences, Ramaphosa extended his heartfelt sympathies to the Mabuza family and acknowledged the former deputy president's enduring legacy.
'David Mabuza was not only a family man, but also an activist, educator, intellectual, and public servant who played a key role in our journey toward freedom and national development,' Ramaphosa said.
Lastly, the president encouraged South Africans to reflect on Mabuza's contributions during the official mourning period.
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