### South Africa Mourns the Loss of Former Deputy President David Mabuza - On July 3, 2025, South Africa lost a significant political figure, former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza, who passed away at the age of 64 after a prolonged illness in a Gauteng hospital [https://www.news24.com/drum/news/former-deputy-president-david-mabuza-dies-at-64-20250704-0465]. - President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a period of national mourning and announced that Mabuza will receive a State Funeral, reflecting his contributions to the nation [https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-07-07-ramaphosa-declares-a-state-funeral-for-former-deputy-president-dd-mabuza]. - Mabuza's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and the African National Congress (ANC), highlighting his legacy and impact on South African politics [https://www.citizen.co.za/lowvelder/news-headlines/local-news/2025/07/07/mpumalanga-anc-mourns-dd-mabuzas-passing-a-great-tree-has-fallen]. ### Overview of the News Event 1. **Announcement of Death**: - David Mabuza died on July 3, 2025, in a Gauteng hospital after battling health issues [https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/former-deputy-president-david-mabuza-died]. 2. **State Funeral Declaration**: - President Ramaphosa declared a State Funeral for Mabuza, indicating the significance of his contributions to the country [https://www.citizen.co.za/lowvelder/news-headlines/local-news/2025/07/07/state-funeral-for-the-former-deputy-president-david-mabuza-to-take-place-in-mpumalanga]. 3. **Public Mourning and Tributes**: - The ANC and various political leaders expressed their condolences, describing Mabuza as a "great tree" that has fallen, emphasizing his role in the political landscape [https://www.citizen.co.za/lowvelder/news-headlines/local-news/2025/07/07/mpumalanga-anc-mourns-dd-mabuzas-passing-a-great-tree-has-fallen]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Key Dates**: - **July 3, 2025**: Mabuza's death announced [https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2025-07-03-breaking-former-deputy-president-david-mabuza-dies]. - **July 7, 2025**: State Funeral announced by President Ramaphosa [https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-07-07-ramaphosa-declares-a-state-funeral-for-former-deputy-president-dd-mabuza]. - **Legacy**: - Mabuza served as Deputy President from 2018 to 2023 and was known for his political influence and commitment to public service [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-03/david-mabuza-former-south-african-deputy-president-dies-at-64/?srnd=homepage-americas]. - His passing has been described as a significant loss to the ANC and the broader South African political community [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3495532-nation-mourns-david-mabuza-as-former-deputy-president-to-receive-state-funeral]. ### Conclusion - **Significance of Mabuza's Death**: The passing of David Mabuza marks a pivotal moment in South African politics, as he was a key figure in the ANC and the government. His contributions will be honored through a State Funeral, reflecting the respect he garnered throughout his career. - **Public Reaction**: The national mourning period and the tributes from various political leaders underscore the impact Mabuza had on the nation, both in terms of his political achievements and his role in the liberation struggle. - **Next Steps**: The State Funeral will take place in Mpumalanga, where Mabuza's legacy will be celebrated by the nation [https://www.citizen.co.za/lowvelder/news-headlines/local-news/2025/07/07/state-funeral-for-the-former-deputy-president-david-mabuza-to-take-place-in-mpumalanga].