Premier of Mpumalanga Mandla Ndlovu has honoured the late David Dabede Mabuza, praising him as a visionary whose contributions to education revolutionised the province’s rural education system.
In a statement on Thursday morning, Ndlovu described Mabuza’s passing as “a blow to the country and the province in particular”.
“Mr Mabuza was a towering figure who devoted his time to serving the people of the country,” said Ndlovu.
“It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of national loss that we mourn his passing.”
Mabuza’s education legacy
Ndlovu singled out Mabuza’s education legacy, especially his ambitious efforts to replace dilapidated farm schools with modern boarding school facilities for rural learners.
“His passion for education leaves behind a rich legacy for learners in Mpumalanga. He replaced farm schools with modern boarding institutions.
“This was a result of his visionary leadership, marked by massive infrastructure development and investment in human capital.”
During Mabuza’s time as MEC for education and later as premier, he oversaw the province’s shift away from the historically unequal farm school model toward fully equipped boarding facilities — a move celebrated as one of Mpumalanga’s greatest developmental milestones.
Ndlovu added: “He shaped Mpumalanga as a united province in its diversity. He served our province and our country with distinction and with a deep sense of commitment to the ideals of democracy, peace, unity, and the upliftment of our people.”
Call to embrace Mabuza’s values of unity
Mabuza, who began his professional life as a mathematics teacher and school principal, brought that background into his political leadership.
Ndlovu recalled their time working together in the ANC’s provincial leadership, where Mabuza served as chairperson and Ndlovu as secretary.
“I worked with him; we shared ideas and learnt a lot from each other. As a former educator myself, he shaped my perspective on how commitment can propel you from the classroom to national leadership,” said Ndlovu.
He called on the people of Mpumalanga to honour Mabuza by embracing his values of unity, education, and service.
Ndlovu will, in the coming days, lead members of the executive council on a visit to the bereaved Mabuza family.
