After what was initially speculation, David Mabuza has finally confirmed that he has resigned as South Africa’s deputy president. There were questions surrounding Mabuza’s political future after he declined nomination for a second term as the African National Congress (ANC) deputy president during the party’s elective conference held in Nasrec, Johannesburg, back in December.
Mabuza’s resignation now paves the way for current ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile to take over as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s deputy at Union Buildings soon. Mashatile recently became an ANC MP and it is only a matter of time before he is sworn in.
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It was reported that deputy president David Mabuza had informed President Cyril Ramaphosa about his intention to resign, but the Presidency remained mum on the matter. But addressing mourners at his brother’s funeral in Mpumalanga on Saturday, 4 February 2023, Mabuza finally confirmed the news.
He said he has already spoken to Ramaphosa and is “making space” for Mashatile.
“As you all know, there was a conference where I declined nomination. I was deputy president of the ANC. But in that conference Paul Mashatile was elected to be deputy president. Then I was left as deputy president of the country. What do you think must happen?
“The reason (for leaving) is to make way for the one elected by conference because I can see that he is starting to move, and I am making things quick on my side to give him space. I spoke to the president,”
Deputy president David Mabuza
It was reported in January that Mabuza had offered to step down ahead of an imminent cabinet reshuffle by Ramaphosa. He believes he is making things easier for his successor by doing so.
According to TimesLive, the outgoing deputy president told Ramaphosa he wants there to be an alignment between the leadership positions of the ANC and the national government.
