EFF
In a surprising show of unity, the Mpumalanga provincial legislature has backed a move to rename the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) after the late former deputy president David “DD” Mabuza. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) put forward the idea during a session on Tuesday, and it gained quick support from lawmakers across different parties.
This decision comes just months after Mabuza’s passing, highlighting his lasting impact on the province where he rose to power.
The airport, a key gateway for tourists heading to the famous Kruger National Park, could soon bear the name of one of Mpumalanga’s most notable leaders. The motion also calls for changes to other landmarks, sparking talks about shedding colonial names and celebrating local heroes. As South Africa marks Heritage Month, this step underscores ongoing efforts to reclaim the nation’s past from old symbols tied to apartheid and colonialism.
A Motion Without Notice Sparks Unity
The EFF brought the proposal to the floor without prior warning, tying it to Heritage Day thoughts on South Africa’s identity. EFF MPL Rhulani Qhibi led the charge, questioning how the country can honour its heritage while key sites still carry names from the colonial era. 
“Tomorrow will be a holiday in honour of our heritage, but how do we celebrate it as South Africans while we still have our beautiful national park named after apartheid architect Paul Kruger?” asked EFF mpl Rhulani Qhibi.
“How do we celebrate Heritage Month when our airport is still named after the same apartheid murderer, Paul Kruger, who stole our land and killed our forefathers?”
Qhibi went further, pushing for broader changes. “I therefore call upon the provincial government to immediately rename the Kruger National Park to Skukuza National Park and rename the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport as DD Mabuza International Airport.
“Lastly, rename the Jan van Riebeeck Stadium to Veli Mahlangu Stadium.”
What made this stand out was the cross-party backing in a house often split by heated debates. When such motions pass without notice, they become binding rules for the legislature, usually saved for urgent or widely agreed issues that get full or strong support.  This rare agreement shows a shared view on updating names to reflect post-apartheid values.
Remembering David ‘DD’ Mabuza: A Polarising Yet Influential Figure
Mabuza’s name coming up three months after his death at age 64 stirs mixed feelings. He passed away on 3 July 2025 after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy as a key ANC player and Mpumalanga strongman.  Born in the province, he climbed from teacher to premier, then deputy president under Cyril Ramaphosa from 2018 to 2023.
Often called a kingmaker, Mabuza helped swing the ANC’s 2017 vote to Ramaphosa, blocking Jacob Zuma’s allies. He backed local sports, paid school fees for poor kids, and funded party drives.  But his time in office drew fire over graft claims, like tender kickbacks and links to state capture.
In Mpumalanga, he led from 2009 to 2018, pushing growth in tourism and farming. Yet probes flagged irregular spending, with some tying him to over R4.5 billion in losses through dodgy deals.  His family now fights over his R44.7 million pension, with his daughter Tamara Silinda seeking a share in court, claiming he was married to her mother too under custom law. 
Despite the shadows, tributes paint him as humble and unifying. President Ramaphosa declared a mourning period, noting his role in steadying the ANC after Zuma.  For many in Mpumalanga, renaming KMIA honours a homegrown leader who put the province on the map.
Broader Calls to Shed Colonial Names
The motion fits a bigger push to rename sites linked to South Africa’s painful past. Paul Kruger, the Boer leader and Transvaal president, stands for land grabs and fights against locals. The EFF has long called for dropping his name from the park and airport, seeing it as a colonial hangover. 
Similar ideas have popped up before. In 2019, the EFF urged renaming the Kruger National Park, arguing it honours an apartheid backer.  Skukuza, the park’s main camp and a Tsonga word for “he who turns things upside down,” nods to James Stevenson-Hamilton, its first warden who cleared out poachers.
Other spots like Jan van Riebeeck Stadium, named after the Dutch settler who started Cape Town, face calls to switch to Veli Mahlangu, a local hero. These changes aim to lift dignity and spotlight African icons. 
KMIA, built in 2001 near Mbombela, serves as a tourism boost, handling over 300,000 flyers yearly. It links to the park, drawing global visitors for safaris. Renaming it could stir pride but also debate on costs and tourism hits.
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