Jabu Mabuza Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Salary, Cause of Death, Qualifications

Jabu Mabuza Biography

Jabu Mabuza was a South African businessperson and investor. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Telkom SA SOC Limited. Jabu was appointed to the Board in November 2012. He was appointed as deputy chairman to the board of Sun International effective 5 September 2018. He was previously the group chief executive officer of Tsogo Sun Holdings Limited, and recently retired as president of Business Unity South Africa.

He served as the chairman of various companies including Anheuser – Busch InBev/SAB Miller – Africa, Business Leadership South Africa, the CASA, Eskom SOC and Telkom SA SOC Limited.

In 2016, Jabu was appointed by the Presidency as a co-convenor of the CEO Initiative with the Minister of Finance to assess the state of the South African economy. Jabu has served on several international companies’ boards in various industries, and he has a wide array of organisational memberships in South Africa and abroad.

In 2017, Jabu was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commerce degree by the University of Witwatersrand in recognition of his entrepreneurship achievements and his contribution to the South African economy.

Jabu was also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Ernst & Young in their World Entrepreneur Awards, and has presented several papers in southern Africa, the United Kingdom, United States of America and Europe on black economic empowerment investment in South Africa, small and medium enterprise development, and the role of business in transition.

Jabu Mabuza Age

Jabu Mabuza was born on 4 February 1958, in Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Jabu Mabuza Wife

Jabu Mabuza was married to his wife Siphiwe Mabuza. He met his future wife, Siphiwe, in the 1970s while on a train to Durban.

Jabu Mabuza Family

Jabu Mabuza and his wife, Siphiwe, had three children. Mabuza is survived by his wife, Siphiwe, and two sons and a daughter.

Jabu Mabuza Death

Jabu Mabuza passed away on 16 June 2021, at the age of 63, the Mabuza family confirmed in a statement. Mabuza “passed away on Wednesday 16 June following Covid-19 complications,” the family statement read. “Jabu lived his life so 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 SA,” the family said.

“On this day in 1976, he had joined thousands of black youth 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,” the family added.

Bonang Mohale, who married his wife Susan at 17, paid tribute to his mentor Jabu Mabuza, saying: “I cry with one eye because only yesterday evening the family called me on their way to the hospital and the news broke. He passed at such a tender age of 63. He led the boards of no less than 15 entities.”

Busa president, Sipho Pityana, mourned Mabuza’s sudden death and conveyed condolences to his family. “I am at a loss for words. The passing of Jabu is tragic, devastating and a great loss for business and our country,” Pityana said in a statement.

“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. 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 Busa. Along the way, he became a powerhouse in the South African economy, occupying leadership positions in several South African corporates … as well as in the public sector.”

“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 to the government. 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.”

Jabu Mabuza Cause of Death

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

Jabu Mabuza Qualifications

Jabu held a Doctorate in Commerce (Honoris Causa) from the University of the Witwatersrand.