Why David Mabuza was called ‘The Cat’

Few nicknames in South African politics have carried as much intrigue and weight as “The Cat.” For David Dabede Mabuza, who passed away on July 3, 2025, it wasn’t just a title—it was a reputation carved from a career of close calls, comebacks, and calculated quiet power. In a landscape where political careers often end with scandal or silence, Mabuza stood out as the man who always landed on his feet.

The Political Jungle of Mpumalanga: Where ‘The Cat’ Was Born

Before he became Deputy President of South Africa, David Mabuza ruled Mpumalanga—a province once described as “the Wild West” of ANC politics. During his tenure as Premier (2009–2018), the province was wracked by factional battles, allegations of political assassinations, and power rivalries that tested even the most hardened leaders.

Yet through it all, Mabuza not only survived—he thrived. Where others were politically “eliminated,” Mabuza emerged stronger, often with greater control. In whispered tones across ANC corridors, his colleagues began calling him “The Cat”—a nod to the belief that, like a feline with nine lives, he always escaped danger.

Surviving Scandal: Nine Lives in Real Time

Mabuza’s resilience wasn’t just metaphorical—it was visceral and visible. He was accused (though never convicted) of being linked to intra-party violence, corrupt provincial dealings, and manipulating ANC structures to his advantage. Several high-profile investigations loomed, but none ended in charges.

Instead of falling, he climbed higher—elected ANC Deputy President in 2017, then Deputy President of South Africa in 2018. These ascents came at the expense of more favoured or prominent ANC figures, earning him both fear and admiration.

It became common political lore: you don’t bet against The Cat.

The Ramaphosa Tipping Point: A Strategic Pounce

In the high-stakes 2017 ANC Elective Conference, Mabuza controlled Mpumalanga’s kingmaker delegation, and for weeks remained non-committal. At the last moment, he swung his support behind Cyril Ramaphosa, tipping the scales and shifting the future of South Africa.

Analysts agree: his move changed history. Without Mabuza’s support, Ramaphosa might not have won. That single, swift political “pounce” further cemented his image as a strategic, cold-blooded, and unpredictable player—a true cat of the game.

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Silent Strength: A Survivor in the Shadows

While others fought loudly in Parliament or on Twitter, Mabuza was a quiet operator. He rarely made headlines unless absolutely necessary. That low profile, many say, was his armour. It allowed him to observe, calculate, and strike when conditions were most favourable.

This tactical silence also shielded him from major political fallout. During multiple ANC storms—from Zuma-era scandals to internal power rifts—Mabuza remained intact, often emerging with more leverage.

Health, Retreat, and the Final Act

In his later years, Mabuza’s health wavered. He underwent treatment abroad and resigned as Deputy President in 2023. Yet even in retreat, his loyalty to the ANC never wavered, returning to support the party in the 2024 elections.

His death in 2025 shocked many—not because it was unexpected, but because the public had grown used to Mabuza’s uncanny ability to bounce back. Even at 64, many assumed The Cat still had a few lives left.

The Cat and His Legacy: Fear, Strategy, and Survival

David Mabuza’s nickname was more than an inside joke or party moniker. It was a summation of a political style defined by:

• Strategic silence

• Calculated alliances

• Survival in hostile terrain

• A refusal to be cornered

For some, “The Cat” represents cunning political agility. For others, it symbolizes a deeply flawed but undeniably resilient system. Either way, it is impossible to tell the story of post-apartheid ANC politics without the man who could disappear into the background—and always reappear at the top.

In a country where politics devours the bold and the reckless, David Mabuza mastered the art of survival. He didn’t need to roar. He needed only to watch, wait, and pounce—a true cat until the very end.