David Dabede Mabuza, former Deputy President of South Africa and a senior member of the African National Congress (ANC), died on July 3, 2025, at the age of 64 in a Johannesburg hospital after experiencing respiratory problems. Mabuza served as Deputy President from February 2018 to February 2023 under President Cyril Ramaphosa's first term. Prior to this, he was Premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 to 2018 and was a former school teacher and co-founder of the South African Democratic Teachers Union. The presidency and ANC confirmed his death, with President Ramaphosa declaring a national mourning period and granting Mabuza a Category 2 State Funeral. The funeral took place on July 12, 2025, in Mpumalanga, with the official service held at Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mbombela and a private burial at his family home in Barberton. The funeral featured full military honours, including a 19-gun salute and the draping of the ANC flag over his casket. Thousands of mourners, including political leaders such as former President Thabo Mbeki and ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile, attended the funeral. President Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy, praising Mabuza as a dependable and unifying leader who was committed to education, community development, and inclusive governance. Tributes highlighted his leadership in strengthening the ANC, improving rural infrastructure, and his dedication to public service. The family requested privacy during the private burial, and the funeral proceedings followed state protocols. Mabuza was remembered for his discipline, perfectionism, and direct approach to leadership, earning the nickname "The Cat" for his resilience.