DD Mabuza funeral underway in Mbombela

Mourners, including former president Thabo Mbeki, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and leaders of opposition parties, began gathering at the venue before the start of the official programme at 9 am.

President Cyril Ramaphosa granted his former deputy a State Funeral Category Two.

Mabuza passed away at the age of 64 last week following a short illness.

READ: Former deputy president David Mabuza dies

The late deputy president served as deputy president of the African National Congress from December 2017 to December 2022 and was previously the premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 to 2018.

In February 2018, Ramaphosa appointed him as Deputy President of South Africa and, when re-elected to a full term as president after the 2019 general election, re-appointed him as his deputy.

Ramaphosa also declared a period of national mourning that will conclude on Saturday evening.

Mabuza has been lauded by his political party as a unifier and community builder.

His successor, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, urged members of the ANC to uphold the legacy of the late David Mabuza by embracing unity and recommitting themselves to serving the people of South Africa.

Mabuza's mortal remains were transported from Mbombela to his homestead in Barberton on Friday.

A morning session was held at his home where ANC chairperson Gweded Mantashe handed over the party flag, which had draped Mabuza’s coffin, to the family.

The coffin was then draped in the National flag as the ceremony was handed over to the military in accordance with the Category Two State Funeral protocol.

According to the programme, members of the Mabuza family will deliver the majority of the speeches and tributes.

President Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy.

The former Deputy President will be laid to rest later on Saturday during a private ceremony that will be attended by immediate family, close associates and the President.

WATCH: Funeral of Former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza