Mabuza hailed for pushing for land reform in the country

JOHANNESBURG - Provincial and national leaders said that former Deputy President David Mabuza made headway in addressing land reform during his time in office. 

Mabuza died at a hospital in Sandton earlier in July following a short illness.

His family, friends and political allies remembered the 64-year-old at a funeral service in Mbombela on Saturday, where he was hailed as a unifier and a leader dedicated to transformation.

During his term, Mabuza chaired the land reform inter-ministerial committee.

At its inception in 2018, Mabuza was frustrated by the slow pace of land reform under the current legislative framework, but in the early meetings, he pushed for solutions for the productive use of land, while speeding up the processes of redress. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Mabuza was not caught up in bureaucracy.

"He was not a man for the pomp and ceremony of high office. He preferred to be on the ground with the masses of our people, listening to their concerns and working to improve their lives."

He said that Mabuza also never neglected marginalised communities.

"To many in his home province and beyond, he was a source of support, a provider of opportunities, and a champion for rural development and education."

Ramaphosa said that he hoped others would pick up where Mabuza left off.