Speaker of parliament and former agriculture minister, Thoko Didiza, has applauded the role former deputy president David Mabuza played in land reform while still in office. Mabuza passed away last week in Johannesburg.
Didiza said Mabuza was instrumental in ensuring there was better coordination between parliament and the executive. She noted that he always availed himself in answering questions in parliament as part of accountability to the nation for his work.
“As the chairperson of the inter-ministerial committee on land and agriculture, he oversaw the implementation of the recommendations of the advisory panel on land and agriculture that was appointed by the president in 2018.
“As part of the implementation of the recommendations was the development of the Land Court Act, which ensured the appointment of full-time judges who deal with land matters in our country, the land beneficiary and allocation policy and land donation policy. We pay homage to the former deputy president, who was an exemplary leader,” Didiza said.
A champion for farming
Mabuza, who used to be the MEC of agriculture in Mpumalanga and rose through the ranks, was critical in the collaboration between black and white farmers on issues of food security and access to land.
“Parliament honours his legacy of humility, service, and commitment to the ideals of our constitutional democracy. May his life’s work continue to inspire future generations,” Didiza added.
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Motsepe Matlala, National African Farmers Union (Nafu) president, who worked closely with Mabuza, said the former deputy president loved agriculture and wanted to see the country flourishing in the sector.
“We worked with him as MEC of agriculture in Mpumalanga. His work is there for anyone to see to this day. He worked tirelessly to ensure that various projects in areas like Ekangala, Nelspruit and surrounding areas are ongoing. The fresh produce market that we have in Mpumalanga now was birthed during his leadership.
“He wanted a unified sector which would serve the country without crime or political hindrances. We, as Nafu SA, pay tribute to DD Mabuza as a person first, leader of the ANC, and indeed, as the deputy president of our country,” he said.
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Dedicated to serve
Matlala said Mabuza’s support for the textile plant business bought by the sectors of Nafcoc for R110 million, through which all farmers would have delivered cotton and hemp, was the most significant project he worked hard for.
“He also played a critical role in ensuring that farmers in the Northern Cape receive sufficient support from both national and provincial government. Today, those projects are a shining example of what can be done to alleviate poverty through organised smallholder farmers, working hand in hand with bigger formations,” he said.
Mabuza will be laid to rest on Saturday in Mpumalanga. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a state funeral (category 2), which is reserved for former deputy presidents of South Africa.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga premier Mandla Ndlovu said during his tenure as a leader in the province, Mabuza was dedicated to serving, especially in education and agriculture.
“Mabuza’s passion for education leaves behind a rich legacy for learners in Mpumalanga through the eradication of farm schools, where he built state-of-the-art schools,” Ndlovu said.
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