President Ramaphosa’s Non-Attendance at David Mabuza’s Burial Sparks Speculation Over Longstanding Tensions
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s absence at the private burial of former Deputy President David Mabuza has been viewed as a glaring sign of unresolved tensions between the two ANC heavyweights.
The burial, held in Barberton, Mpumalanga, marked the final farewell for Mabuza, who passed away last week at the age of 64 after a short illness. While the official funeral on Saturday was marked by high-profile tributes and military honours, President Ramaphosa’s decision to skip the final burial ceremony did not go unnoticed, particularly since the Mabuza family confirmed he was invited.
A Relationship on Ice?
According to political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Ramaphosa’s no-show at the burial was “telltale” of a deeply strained relationship, one that had never quite recovered after the ANC’s 2022 national conference, which saw Mabuza relinquish his role as Deputy President. While political alliances in the ANC are known to be fluid and strategic, Breakfast went so far as to accuse Ramaphosa of dishonesty during his eulogy speech at the official funeral.
“President Ramaphosa painted a picture of camaraderie that simply didn’t exist,” Breakfast stated bluntly. “His absence at the burial speaks volumes.”
The ANC’s top leadership, including Ramaphosa, were also missing from the burial proceedings, a notable omission given Mabuza’s former stature in both the party and the national government.
A Quiet Goodbye, Without the President
Despite the absence of the Commander-in-Chief, the morning session of the funeral held at Mabuza’s family home unfolded with dignity. ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe was present to hand over the party flag, which had initially draped the coffin, to Mabuza’s family.
Thereafter, in accordance with Category Two State Funeral protocol, the coffin was draped in the national flag and handed over to the military for the final rites.
It was current Deputy President Paul Mashatile who took on the symbolic role of handing over the national flag to Mabuza’s wife, Nohlanhla, in what many viewed as a poignant yet politically symbolic moment.
RELATED: SA Mourns the Death of Former Deputy President David Mabuza
The Legacy of David Mabuza
David Mabuza, often referred to as “The Cat” for his political survival skills, had a checkered and complex political history. A key powerbroker in Mpumalanga and a major player in securing Ramaphosa’s presidential victory in 2017, Mabuza later appeared to drift into the political shadows—rarely seen, quoted, but always the subject of intrigue.
Despite the public distance, the lack of visible support from Ramaphosa and key ANC leadership at Mabuza’s burial has stirred both public and political criticism. Some South Africans view the absence as a missed opportunity for unity and healing within the ANC.
Public Perception and Political Fallout
The optics of Ramaphosa’s absence are significant. In South African politics, funerals of senior leaders are more than ceremonial—they are powerful stages of symbolism, loyalty, and political messaging. The non-attendance of the President and other top ANC figures, in the eyes of many, paints a portrait of a party that still grapples with factionalism, even in mourning.
Whether this incident will have any long-term impact on the ANC’s internal cohesion remains to be seen. What is clear is that the political undercurrents between Ramaphosa and Mabuza were never fully resolved, and perhaps, were never meant to be.
