कोशिश गोल्ड - मुक्त
Mabuza: A master tactician who navigated a brutal political arena
Weekend Argus on Saturday
|July 05, 2025
David Dabede 'DD' Mabuza passed away in Johannesburg on 3 July 2025, at the age of 64. Quiet yet formidable, Mabuza's journey from rural Mpumalanga to national power was as improbable as it was compelling.

Mabuza's political career was one of remarkable resilience, calculated manoeuvring, and a reputation for feline-like cunning that earned him the nickname "The Cat". Through shrewd calculations, alliance-building, and opportunistic shifts, he not only secured provincial supremacy but also played a decisive role in the national political realignment that led to Cyril Ramaphosa’s rise to presidency in 2017.
Mabuza's political life began in earnest after his years as a teacher and school principal. Having served in the South African Democratic Teachers' Union, he joined the ANC after its unbanning in 1990.
By skillfully navigating factional terrain, he climbed the ranks of the ANC and provincial government through a mixture of administrative competence and careful alliance-building. His stints as MEC for several departments, ranging from Education to Agriculture, provided him with the practical experience to understand how power operates and how it can be directed strategically.
When the opportunity arose to challenge Thabang Makwetla for the ANC provincial chairpersonship in Mpumalanga in 2008, he struck with the precision of a predator that had stalked its prey quietly and patiently. His victory opened the door to the Mpumalanga premiership, a position he would hold from 2009 until his breakthrough to national ranks.
Mabuza did not merely inherit a power base in Mpumalanga; he built one. He expanded the provincial ANC's delegate count to the national conferences, dramatically increasing its influence within the party.
यह कहानी Weekend Argus on Saturday के July 05, 2025 संस्करण से ली गई है।
हजारों चुनिंदा प्रीमियम कहानियों और 10,000 से अधिक पत्रिकाओं और समाचार पत्रों तक पहुंचने के लिए मैगज़्टर गोल्ड की सदस्यता लें।
क्या आप पहले से ही ग्राहक हैं? साइन इन करें
Weekend Argus on Saturday से और कहानियाँ

Weekend Argus on Saturday
'Ramaphosa agreed to disband Political Killings Task Team'
SUSPENDED police minister Senzo Mchunu testified that he briefed President Cyril Ramaphosa about his decision to disband the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT) and added that the commander-in-chief was in agreement with it.
3 mins
October 18, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
Is Sea Point losing its soul to commercialisation?
RESIDENTS CONCERNED
3 mins
October 18, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
Integrity of judiciary under scrutiny
KWAZULU-NATAL'S police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has ignited a firestorm of controversy this week as he made several high-profile requests to Parliament.
3 mins
October 11, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
Justice for Palestine, say SA activists
CEASEFIRE NOT ENOUGH
2 mins
October 11, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday
A cap, a coat, a remote control: Mthethwa's belongings given to widow
A CAP, a coat, and a remote control: these were the belongings handed to the widow of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi “Nathi” Emmanuel Mthethwa, after his tragic death at an upmarket Paris hotel this week.
1 mins
October 04, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
Sale of CTICC still under review
THE future of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) remains under review as the City of Cape Town explores the possible sale of its 72.7% shareholding in the landmark facility.
2 mins
October 04, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
Activists demand release of flotilla volunteers
PICKETS against the ongoing crisis in Palestine are a familiar sight, but yesterday, gatherings across South Africa focused on the detention of humanitarian volunteers captured by Israeli forces while en route to aid Gaza.
4 mins
October 04, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
End of Political Killings Task Team in focus
KZN National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Elaine Harrison said her office was never formally informed of the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), saying she would have objected to the decision because of the team’s good work.
1 mins
September 27, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
Dire impact of rogue parents on teachers
PARENTAL aggression has pushed already-stretched teachers past their limits, forcing many to leave the profession, and in some cases, the country.
3 mins
September 27, 2025
Weekend Argus on Saturday
Alleged abuse of racehorses in spotlight
HORSERACING is a multi-million rand business in South Africa, but behind the glitz and glamour of racing events and the betting that goes with it, are the horses, whom the National Council of SPCA's (NSPCA) say are subject to abuse, illegal harnessing, including the racing of horses that are too young to race.
3 mins
September 20, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size