The business sector, State-owned power utility Eskom and family members have paid tribute to Dr Jabu Mabuza, describing him as a man of integrity, courage and honesty.

Mabuza passed away on June 16 from Covid-19-related complications.

“Jabu was a role model for all South Africans who aspire to make a difference. He lifted himself up by his bootstraps, moving from being a successful small entrepreneur to becoming my predecessor as president of Business Unity South Africa (Busa),” Busa president Sipho Pityana comments.

“The passing of Jabu is tragic, devastating and a great loss for business and our country. Jabu played a leading and pivotal role as a business leader with foresight and courage. He was a phenomenal human being and a gentle soul,” he adds.

Mabuza's family, in a statement issued by telecommunications company Telkom, said: “[Mabuza] was a gallant fighter for the political and economic freedom of South Africans.

"On this day [June 16] in 1976, he had joined thousands of black youths who demanded the end of Bantu education. He was later expelled for participating in that seminal protest that exposed the brutality of the apartheid regime and propelled the struggle for liberation.”

“At 63, Jabu lived his life beautifully and committed to the transformation of South Africa’s economy. He was a pillar of strength for his family, a dedicated servant of the country, an activist in empowering black entrepreneurs and committed to work for the transformation of corporate South Africa.

“The family is grateful for the support and prayers during this time.”

Mabuza was a successful entrepreneur and business leader who had previously served as chairperson of Eskom and who recently retired as chairperson of Telkom, where he played a pivotal role in turning around the telecommunications group.

Mabuza became a powerhouse in the South African economy, occupying leadership positions in several South African corporates, including Tsogo Sun, where he was CEO, and South African Breweries, as well as in the public sector, says Pityana.

He will particularly be remembered for his courage during the State Capture era when, as president of Busa, he often had to deliver very difficult messages for government.

Mabuza was appointed by the Presidency as a co-convenor of the CEO Initiative together with the former Treasury Minister Pravin Gordhan to look into the state of affairs of the South African economy, his family says.

“I will always regard Jabu as a true leader, a man of integrity and someone who was never afraid to speak his mind. He will be sorely missed at a time when we need all hands-on deck to resolve the massive challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on business and society. He was a consummate gentleman, a courageous leader and a true South African,” Pityana says.

“I worked with Jabu when he was President of Busa and co-chairperson of the CEO Initiative. He had a character and personality that was contagious. He led with courage, honour and honesty. He was a true patriot!” Busa CEO Cas Coovadia says.

SBI chairperson Sipho Nkosi adds that Mabuza's passing "is not only our loss, but also the loss for the rest of South Africa and anyone who shared his anxiety about growing inequality, unemployment and poverty in our country.”

“We extend our condolences to the family. We extend our gratitude to the family for having graciously and generously shared Jabu with us.

"The SME ecosystem is poorer for losing one of its loyal and long-standing supporters,” he comments.

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), where Mabuza served as chairperson, said he was a formidable leader, very well respected for his business acumen and independent leadership.

“It was under his leadership as chairperson of BLSA that big business took the firm decision to publicly denounce the State Capture project and make a solid pledge towards ethical leadership; protecting our key institutions; and working collaboratively with government towards building a capable State.”

Mabuza was appointed to serve on the Eskom board in January 2018. Following the departure of the then Group CE in July 2019, he assumed the responsibility of board chairperson and acting CEO. He resigned from the organisation in January 2020.

“Mabuza led Eskom during one of the most difficult periods in the organisation’s history. He was an exemplary leader and an advocate for clean governance.

"We are grateful for his service at Eskom and salute him for his enormous contribution to our country. His legacy will live on,” says Eskom chairperson Professor Malegapuru Makgoba.

“Great strides were made during his tenure in addressing allegations of financial mismanagement and myriad issues related to lapses in governance processes and other internal controls within the organisation. These efforts resulted in the stabilisation of Eskom, improving investor and public confidence and laying a solid foundation for the organisation’s turnaround,” Makgoba said.