Mbeki says African leaders must put shoulder to the wheel in addressing continent's challenges
Mbeki made the renewed calls at the 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at the weekend.
FILE: Fomer President Thabo Mbeki addressed students at the University of South Africa (UNISA) on 4 September 2024. Picture: @MbekiSchool/X
JOHANNESBURG - Former President Thabo Mbeki said African leaders need to put their shoulder to the wheel in addressing a range of challenges faced by the continent.
Mbeki made the renewed calls at the 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at the weekend.
Mbeki was joined by other former heads of state from Africa and policy leaders in a packed hall.
Social cohesion, democracy, economic rebuilding and growth, and the positioning of Africa as a significant player in geopolitical affairs are among priorities Mbeki said still need to be addressed urgently.
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“To do this thing that all of us wish for, this rebirth of the African continent, practically what do we do, we have the vision, we think we know where we want to go but what do we do practically?”
Mbeki said, despite his exit from active politics, he continues to be part of leaders heeding the calls for transformation on the continent.
"Other things being equal, I should have retired as President of South Africa in 2009 but other things being unequal, I retired in 2008. Before that, my colleagues, other heads of state at the time, said, 'When you retire, you must continue to focus on these African challenges.’"