UA.NEWS: Former presidents Mbeki and Zuma seek to delay testimony before South Africa’s Khampepe Commission
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Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician and economist who served as the second president of South Africa from 1999 until his resignation in 2008. He previously served as deputy president under Nelson Mandela from 1994 to 1999.
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politics · President of South Africa from 1999 to 2008 · politician · economist · minister · also Thabo Mbeki, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Mbeki
Born 18 June 1942 · Q101547
101 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 14 entries
Daily Maverick: What would Mandela do? Lessons for Thabo Mbeki and SA
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The Africa Report: Why South Africa’s Mbeki and Mandela Centres shun the ego-trip of US-style presidential libraries
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“She was saying our cultures, traditions and religions as Africans inherently make every African man a potential rapist... [a] view which defines the African people as barbaric savages.”
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“If nobody wins a clear majority the law provides for a second run. If that happens I would not describe it as a crisis. It”
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“I am formed of the migrants who left Europe to find a new home on our native land. Whatever their own actions, they remain still, part of me.”
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“In my veins courses the blood of the Malay slaves who came from the East. Their proud dignity informs my bearing, their culture a part of my essence. The stripes they bore on their bodies from the lash of the slave master are a reminder embossed on my consciousness of what should not be done.”
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“s mandate, and that its tabling had been illegal in terms of international law. Quiet diplomacy in Zimbabwe Mbeki”
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“You must remember that Thabo Mbeki is no longer my son. He is my comrade!”
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AeroMorning.com: Koekie Mbeki Appointed Acting CEO at South African Airways
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centralnews.co.za: Thabo Mbeki Foundation and WDB Trust Merge to Form New Mbeki Foundation
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Newsfirst: Thabo Mbeki Foundation and WDB Trust unite to create new Africa-focused institution
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Polity.org.za: Thabo Mbeki Foundation merges with WDB Trust
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ArchDaily: Galería de Adjaye Associates diseña la Biblioteca Presidencial Thabo Mbeki en Johannesburgo, Sudáfrica - 10
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2025· 2 entries
Claimed: “The number of people employed grew to 14 million in 2008.” — rated Unproven by Africa Check.
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Claimed: “The number of people employed grew from 8 million in 1994 …” — rated Understated/exaggerated by Africa Check.
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2024· 1 entry
AFP Fact Check rated the claim “News report says Thabo Mbeki has died” False.
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2023· 2 entries
Yahoo Finance: Thabo Mbeki Fast Facts
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Yahoo: Thabo Mbeki Fast Facts
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2017· 1 entry
The Conversation: Thabo Mbeki calls for a ‘rebirth’. Is South Africa up to the task?
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2016· 3 entries
Newsweek: Ex-South African President Thabo Mbeki Stands By Controversial HIV Comments
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Brokered an agreement between warring Sudanese parties to begin peace negotiations
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In a newsletter cautioning "great care and caution" in the use of antiretrovirals, he had not denied that HIV caused AIDS but that "a virus [could] cause a syndrome
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2015· 1 entry
Amid an American investigation into corruption at FIFA, soccer administrator Chuck Blazer testified that, between 2004 and 2011, he and other FIFA executives had received bribes in connection with South Africa's bid
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2013· 1 entry
CNN: Thabo Mbeki: Mandela will pull through
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2011· 1 entry
“26 August 2011, University of Stellenbosch .”
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2010· 1 entry
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation was launched on 10 October 2010, ahead of a three-day conference.
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2009· 1 entry
And he had said in 2006 that he had no intention of having the Constitution changed to permit him a third term in office, saying, "By the end of 2009, I will have been in a senior position in government for 15 years
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2008· 1 entry
And he later returned to Zimbabwe, in 2020, to mediate a further political dispute
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2007· 3 entries
Mbeki continued to defend his position on HIV/AIDS, and directed Gevisser to a controversial and anonymous ANC discussion document titled Castro Hlongwane, Caravans, Cats, Geese, Foot & Mouth and Statistics: HIV/Aids and
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Following a prolonged diplomatic campaign, South Africa secured a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for a two-year term
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Mbeki was made a Knight of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town by the current grand prior, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
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2006· 2 entries
That xenophobia was an urgent concern in South Africa
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“The Fourth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture Address, Johannesburg, South Africa (29 July 2006)”
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2005· 2 entries
Awarded Champions of the Earth (2005).
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Was awarded Sudan's Insignia of Honour in recognition of his role in resolving conflicts and working for development in the Continent
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2004· 6 entries
Studied at Stellenbosch University, doctorate (2004).
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The Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, criticised President Mbeki for surrounding himself with "yes-men", not doing enough to improve the position of the poor and for promoting economic policies that only be
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President Thabo Mbeki made an attack on commentators who argued that violent crime was out of control in South Africa, calling them white racists who want the country to fail
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Many observers described him as finally relaxing into more traditional ways of campaigning, sometimes dancing at events and even kissing babies
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Mbeki was awarded the Good Brother Award by Washington, D
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Was awarded an honorary doctorate in commercial sciences by the University of Stellenbosch
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2003· 2 entries
Awarded Order of Excellence (2003).
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His government collaborated with India and Brazil to lobby for reforms at the United Nations, advocating for a stronger role for developing countries
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2002· 5 entries
Awarded Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2002).
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And his government spearheaded the introduction of the AU's African Peer Review Mechanism in 2003
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That "Mbeki epitomizes leadership in denial and his stand has fuelled government inaction
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His cabinet staunchly affirmed that HIV causes AIDS
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Career landmark: Chairperson of the African Union (2002–2003).
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2001· 2 entries
Was made an honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)
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Of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), which aims to develop a framework for accelerating economic development and cooperation in Africa
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2000· 6 entries
Awarded honorary doctorate from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis (2000).
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Studied at Glasgow Caledonian University, doctorate (2000).
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Amid a burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, Mbeki's government launched the HIV/AIDS/STD Strategic Plan for South Africa, 2000–2005, a "multi-sectoral" plan which was criticised by HIV/AIDS activists for lacking
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Was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws from Glasgow Caledonian University
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And repeated the honour in 2008, this time under the auspices of media research company Monitoring South Africa
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“August 2000, addressing South African Parliament .”
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1999· 4 entries
Studied at Rand Afrikaans University, doctorate (1999).
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Career landmark: President of South Africa (1999–2008).
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Career landmark: Commonwealth Chair-in-Office (1999–2002).
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Career landmark: Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement (1999–2003).
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1998· 2 entries
Awarded honorary doctor of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (1998).
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“African renaissance statement”
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1997· 2 entries
Enabling his rise to the presidency as the ANC's candidate in the 1999 elections
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By the US-based Corporate Council on Africa
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1996· 4 entries
And as president he continued to subscribe to relatively conservative, market-friendly macroeconomic policies
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And in his first speech to Parliament as president in June 1999, when he foregrounded his trademark ideal of an "African renaissance"
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And remained a cornerstone of Mbeki's administration after 1999
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Making an impassioned plea for those with information to step forward
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1995· 2 entries
Studied at University of South Africa, doctorate (1995).
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Received honorary doctorate from the University of South Africa and an honorary doctorate of laws from Sussex University
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1994· 4 entries
GEAR placed less emphasis on developmental and redistributive imperatives, and subscribed to elements of the liberalisation, deregulation, and privatisation at the centre of Washington Consensus-style reforms
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Was appointed national deputy president
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Studied at Hult International Business School, doctorate (1994).
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Career landmark: Deputy President of South Africa (1994–1999).
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1989· 1 entry
Rose in the ranks to head the ANC's Department of International Affairs and was involved in the ANC's negotiations with the South African government
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1986· 1 entry
The South African Army sent a captain in the South African Defence Force (SADF) to kill Mbeki
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1985· 3 entries
PW Botha declared a State of Emergency and gave the army and police special powers
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Mbeki was a member of a delegation that began meeting secretly with representatives of the South African business community, and in 1989, he led the ANC delegation that conducted secret talks with the South African gover
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Mbeki became the ANC's director of the Department of Information and Publicity and coordinated diplomatic campaigns to involve more white South Africans in anti-apartheid activities
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1984· 1 entry
And then became head of the international department in 1989, reporting directly to Oliver Tambo, then President of the ANC
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1982· 6 entries
“I owe my being to the hills and the valleys, the mountains and the glades, the rivers, the deserts, the trees, the flowers, the seas and the ever-changing seasons that define the face of our native land.”
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“Aids is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. I don't believe it's a sensible thing to ask: 'Does a virus cause a syndrome?' It can't. A virus will cause a disease. The syndrome is a group of diseases as a result of immune deficiency. As a result of immune deficiency you suffer various diseases.”
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“Non potei andare in Sudafrica per via di Thabo Mbeki, il presidente, che negava l'esistenza del virus. Eravamo accusati di averlo creato noi. (Robert Gallo)”
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“Despite the advances we have made in our 12 years of freedom, we must also recognise the reality that we still have a long way to go... We should never allow ourselves the dangerous luxury of complacency, believing that we are immune to the conflicts that we see and have seen in so many parts of the world.”
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“By all means, let's work together.”
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“Il signor Botha governò in una fase difficile della storia del nostro Paese. Gli va riconosciuto che quando si rese conto dell'inutilità di combattere contro ciò che era giusto e inevitabile, lui, a suo modo, capì che per i sudafricani non vi era alternativa al dialogo.”
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1981· 1 entry
And is presumed to have died in exile, but the circumstances of his death remain unknown
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1980· 1 entry
Mbeki led the ANC's delegation to Zimbabwe, where the party hoped to establish relations with Robert Mugabe's newly elected government
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1978· 2 entries
Was promoted again: he replaced Nokwe as head of DIP, and simultaneously was appointed Tambo's political secretary, an extremely influential position in which he became one of Tambo's closest advisors and confidantes
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Maharaj and Mbeki argued at a top-level strategic meeting in Luanda, Angola, when Maharaj, who had been tasked with running the political underground, claimed that Mbeki's records from the Swaziland office were in fact "
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1975· 1 entry
(again alongside Hani) was elected onto the ANC's top decision-making organ, the National Executive Committee
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1974· 1 entry
A social worker from Alexandra whom he met in London before his departure for Moscow
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1973· 1 entry
Helped to establish the ANC's office in Botswana, considered a "frontline" country because of its shared border with South Africa, where the ANC was attempting to re-establish its underground
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1967· 1 entry
Was appointed to the editorial board of its official magazine, the African Communist
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1966· 1 entry
Studied at University of Sussex, Master of Economics (1966).
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1962· 1 entry
Studied at University of Sussex, Bachelor of Arts (1962).
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1958· 1 entry
Became the secretary of its Lovedale branch
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1955· 1 entry
Arrived at the Lovedale Institute, an eminent mission school outside Alice, as part of the last class which would be permitted to follow the same curriculum as white students
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1948· 1 entry
The same year that the National Party was elected with a mandate to legislate apartheid
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1942· 1 entry
Born 1942-06-18.
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