Africa-Press – Eswatini. Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla is representing His Majesty King Mswati III and the Kingdom of Eswatini at the funeral of former South African Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza.
DPM Dladla is accompanied by Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo, Shiselweni Regional Administrator Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, and other senior officials. The delegation will attend a memorial service in Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, where Mabuza was born and spent most of his life.
According to the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS), memorial services are being held across the three district municipalities of Mpumalanga Province: Ehlanzeni, Nkangala, and Gert Sibande. The Eswatini delegation will participate in one of the services held in Ehlanzeni.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reports that the private burial service will take place on Saturday, 12 July 2025, in Barberton, Mpumalanga. This will follow the State Funeral Category 2 held at Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit).
Family spokesperson Desmond Moela stated that the official funeral service would be followed by a private ceremony for the family. “The funeral will take place in Nelspruit, Bergvlam. After the official service, the family will have their private service,” he was quoted saying by the SABC.
On Monday, 7 July 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national mourning period lasting until the evening of Saturday, 12 July. He also conferred Mabuza a State Funeral Category 2, which is reserved for Deputy Presidents, Acting Presidents, and Former Deputy Presidents, in line with the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual of the Presidency.
According to the Daily Sun, Mabuza (64) passed away on Thursday, 3 July 2025, at a hospital in Johannesburg after reportedly experiencing breathing difficulties. The presence of Eswatini’s leadership at the funeral reflects the close ties and shared history between the two neighbouring nations.
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