C. S. Mabaso was born and educated in Natal and worked at various times as a teacher, a shopkeeper, and a clerk. For about 20 years he also was the secretary and bookkeeper of Abantu-Batho, the African National Congress (ANC) newspaper. He was a member of the Transvaal Native Organisation before the founding of the ANC in 1912 and took a leading part in raising funds for the 1914 ANC deputation to Britain. He became one of the most prominent figures in the Transvaal ANC and served as ANC treasurer-general during Z. R. Mahabane's presidency from 1924 to 1927 and as ANC financial secretary in the early 1930s. He died in 1936.
Gerhart G.M and Karis T. (ed)(1977). From Protest to challenge: A documentary History of African Politics in South Africa: 1882-1964, Vol.4 Political Profiles 1882 - 1964. Hoover Institution Pres: Stanford University.