PHUTI MOSOMANE
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has thanked Deputy President David Mabuza for the support he has given to him for the past five years as the Leader of Government Business.
This after Mabuza confirmed that he has resigned as Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa.
“Deputy President Mabuza has indicated his wish to step down from his position, a request that we are attending to,” Ramaphosa said during his reply to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address, Cape Town City Hall.
Ramaphosa praised Mabuza’s record in government, saying he successfully completed every task that was assigned to him in the past five years.
“I wish to extend my appreciation to Deputy President David Mabuza for his unwavering support over the last five years,” said Ramaphosa.
“He has ably led the South African National AIDS Council and extensive engagements with military veterans and traditional leaders. Mabuza has supported peace building efforts in South Sudan and led processes around land reform, among other things.”
Two weeks ago, Mabuza told mourners during his brother’s funeral in Mpumalanga that he has informed the president of his intention to resign in order to clear the way for ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Mabuza, 62, was instrumental in helping Ramaphosa win control of the ANC in 2017 during the governing party’s National Conference.
As Deputy President of the country, Mabuza was the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.
The leader of government business represents the national executive in Parliament and is also responsible for ensuring that Cabinet members attend to their parliamentary responsibilities.
Among some of his key government responsibilities, Mabuza also headed a team tasked with overseeing the power utility Eskom’s recovery.
He also played a key role in bringing together warring factions in South Sudan, facilitating Consultative Meetings of the Parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan.
Mabuza, a former Mathematics school teacher in Mpumalanga, also chaired the South African National AIDS Council, or SANAC.
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