Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has expressed his profound sadness at the passing of Bishop Emeritus Don Dabula, a respected servant of the Methodist Church, traditional leader and community elder, who passed away on Friday, 28 August 2026.
Affectionately known as “Zulu” and “Khalimetshe”, Bishop Emeritus Dabula devoted a significant part of his life to the spiritual nourishment of communities and to the advancement of the people of KwaBhaca and the wider Eastern Cape.
Premier Mabuyane described Bishop Emeritus Dabula as belonging to a generation of faith leaders who understood the church not merely as a place of worship, but as an important institution in the social life and development of communities.
“We mourn the passing of a servant of the people whose Ministry extended beyond the pulpit.
Bishop Emeritus Dabula understood that faith must find expression in how we care for one another, how we build our communities and how we preserve the dignity of our people,” said Premier Mabuyane.
“His was a life anchored in service. Through his leadership in the Methodist Church and his standing within the community, he became a source of counsel, wisdom and stability to many.
His passing represents a loss not only to his family and the Methodist community, but to the people of KwaBhaca and our province as a whole”, added the Premier.
Premier Mabuyane said Bishop Emeritus Dabula’s life also embodied the important and enduring relationship between faith, culture and community leadership in the Eastern Cape.
“In Bishop Emeritus Dabula, we saw these worlds coexisting rather than competing. He carried his Christian calling while remaining deeply rooted in the identity, traditions and lived experiences of his people. This made him a bridge between generations and institutions, and gave his leadership a reach far beyond the walls of the church,” said the Premier.
The Premier added the Eastern Cape remained indebted to generations of religious leaders who had stood with communities during periods of hardship, contributed towards education and social development, mediated conflict and provided moral leadership during some of the most difficult chapters in the history of the province and country.
“Bishop Emeritus Dabula now joins that distinguished roll of Eastern Cape spiritual leaders whose contribution will continue to live through the people they served and the institutions they strengthened,” continued the Premier.
“On behalf of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the people of our province, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the Dabula family, his relatives and loved ones, the Methodist Church family, the people of KwaBhaca and all those whose lives were touched by his Ministry and leadership”.
“May the family draw strength from the knowledge that uTata uDabula lived a consequential life of faith and service. Khalimetshe has rested, but the values for which he stood and the lives upon which he left his imprint will endure.
Lala ngoxolo, Khalimetshe. Uyenzile eyakho indima.
May his Soul Rest in Eternal Peace”, concluded the Premier.
