Latest news with #ThaboMbekiFoundation
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Thabo Mbeki urges African governments to prioritise history education
Reviving African history: Thabo Mbeki's call for educational reform. Image: Boxer Ngwenya Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has called on African governments to take decisive steps to revive and emphasise the teaching of African history in schools to avoid repeating past mistakes. His appeal comes amid concerns that the continent's youth, lacking historical awareness, risks repeating past mistakes that have hindered development and unity. After delivering the annual Thabo Mbeki Lecture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Mbeki emphasized the importance of fostering a shared understanding of Africa's struggles, victories, and the lessons learned. In an interview with Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on Power FM on Monday, he highlighted the critical role that historical education plays in promoting African unity and resilience. Mbeki underscored the need for "African unity and solidity," asserting that acting together is essential to confront the continent's ongoing challenges. 'We must collaborate to find solutions,' he said. 'The foundation of this effort lies in understanding our shared history — the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs that have shaped us.' He praised the role of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and initiatives dedicated to the continent's renaissance, noting that these efforts are vital for fostering a sense of pride and identity among young Africans. "The Foundation must be committed to the renaissance of Africa and South Africa,' he added. 'This entails capturing and transmitting our history to future generations.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Mbeki recounted the importance of documenting the history of democracy in South Africa and beyond. 'The actors — those who fought for freedom — must tell their stories directly,' he said. 'We established projects like the South African Democratic Education Transfer to ensure that the history of our struggle is accessible and accurately conveyed.' He also pointed out that this initiative extends beyond South Africa, incorporating the broader anti-apartheid movement and global solidarity efforts involving Cuba, Brazil, India, Russia, and others. 'We've decided to develop textbooks tailored for high school students to make this vast knowledge accessible and engaging for young people,' Mbeki explained. 'It's essential that they understand the history from those who lived it, rather than only through secondary sources.' Mbeki expressed concern that many young Africans, including Tanzanian youth, are unfamiliar with their history. He cited observations from Tanzanian leadership about the forgetting or neglect of key moments in the country's independence and liberation. 'This is problematic,' he said. 'If young people are unaware of their history, they risk repeating past mistakes.' He urged governments and educational institutions to prioritize history education, emphasizing that the issue is not a lack of interest but a failure to provide adequate resources and curricula. 'It's our responsibility to ensure that history is part of public education,' he asserted. 'Young people are not uninterested; they simply need access and engagement.'
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Synoptic analysis and expectations: The annual Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture
Africa needs to rid itself of leaders who thrive on populist and ethnic politics. Image: Karen Sandison This annual lecture is hosted by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, alongside the University of South Africa (UNISA) and other stakeholders, on the founding date of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which is the precursor to the African Union (AU). This strategic gathering offers a unique opportunity for the TM Foundation to critically assess Africa's progress and commitment, and to deeply analyse the continent's pressing challenges in the quest for Africa's renaissance (rebirth) through realising political, socio-economic, and cultural self-reliance. Therefore, this article synoptically analyses Africa's progress and reflections of Abdoulaye Bathily on the critical and pressing challenges he raised as a keynote speaker at the 14th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day lecture 2024. The article also delves into the 12th May 2025 press briefing by the AU chairperson of the commission, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The reflections by these two patriots call for succinct reflection and analysis that sets the tone for the 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day lecture that will be held under the theme 'State of the Continent' within the context of reigniting Africa's renaissance in Tanzania this weekend. Professor Bathily expressed concerns that Africa remains culturally downtrodden and politically, economically, and militarily dependent on European countries despite attaining independence more than sixty years ago. He primarily attributes this lack of progress and the new scramble for Africa to the ongoing leadership crisis on the continent. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He further argues that Africa needs to rid itself of leaders who thrive on populist and ethnic politics. The continent requires new leaders who can revive the liberation and Pan-African project. In my view, although the AU and others oppose the coups that have occurred in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, the masses in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have become impatient with the colonial ties to their former coloniser, France, and have resolved to identify themselves as Sankarists, committed to completing the decolonial struggle initiated by the late President Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso. Therefore, inasmuch as I believe in the democratically elected leadership, but to a certain extent, one is tempted to stand with those Sankarists because, in October 2024, the TM Foundation convened the inaugural Peace and Security Dialogue in South Africa, which I attended and participated in. The dialogue focused on peace and security in the West and the Horn of Africa. On the same date as the dialogue, France convened a Francophonie festival and summit in Paris to celebrate the French language and strengthen relations among the world's French-speaking countries; thus, some leaders in West Africa chose the meeting in Paris over the critical peace and security dialogue. It was indicated that, although West Africa was an area of focus for the dialogue, it was not well represented. This affirms the assertions that African leaders have abandoned the liberation and Pan-African agenda. This confirms what Prof Bathily stated, that African heads of state can leave the meeting of the AU and be convened by one head of state. Therefore, President Sankara and Ibrahim Traore must multiply, on the continent to extricate Africa from neo-colonial bondage. Once again, Prof Bathily argues that Africa has numerous partnerships with European countries and entities for development; however, natural resources depart the continent, but Africa continues to experience stagnation in economic growth and development. The question is, how strategic are those Africa's partnerships for the AU's Agenda 2063? I assert that the AU and its member states should contemplate establishing criteria and reviewing these partnerships in light of the AU Agenda 2063. This is feasible, as a multipolar world creates space for emerging actors who could serve as competitors to the current exploitative one and possibly be partners for genuine Africa's development. Additionally, a concerning factor is the increasing presence of foreign military bases on the continent, which arrived under the pretext of combating the rise of violent extremism and acts of terrorism. However, the reality is that the military weapons provided are fuelling instabilities on the continent. On the other hand, there is a contradiction; for example, African leaders claim to be investing in agriculture to fight hunger and poverty, but continue to auction land to private multilateral companies in exchange for foreign direct investment. In return, these so-called investors practice agriculture solely for maximising profit at the expense of the suffering and hungry masses. Bathily says African land must be given to conscious African farmers who would understand that the land, especially agriculture, must feed Africans before being exported. On 12 May 2025, the newly elected chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, held a press briefing that I viewed as an opportunity for him to outline his detailed plans; regrettably, he provided an overview of strategic priorities without a clear plan of action. For instance, regarding issues related to the Commission on Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), the chairperson merely identified a few African countries in conflict and the dialogues occurring to resolve those conflicts. He noted that he would soon meet with the foreign affairs ministers from Sahel countries to seek lasting peace in the region. This PAPS has a considerable workload, as Africa accounts for almost 70% of global conflicts. I strongly contend that the AU's decision to merge the Department of Political Affairs with Peace and Security lacked strategy, as the current focus leans more towards peace and security. In my view, the AU should reconsider its decision and separate the commissions so that Political Affairs could lead the revival of the liberation and Pan-African project, as Prof Bathily suggests. Therefore, I am hopeful that the 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture, themed 'the state of the continent,' will take stock of the previous lectures, developments within the G20, and the political, socio-economic, violent conflict and cultural developments, leadership crisis on the continent within the context of the geopolitical shifts and a multipolar world. The New Partnership for Africa's Development should be resuscitated and Africanised to drive the continental development. Orapeleng Matshediso is a Masters graduate of Pan African Development Studies and Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg (Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation). The author is also an alumnus of the then Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute (TMALI) and writes in his capacity. Orapeleng Matshediso is a Masters graduate of Pan African Development Studies and Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg (Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation). Image: Supplied.
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Congo ex-president Kabila lambasts justice system after vote to lift his immunity
FILE PHOTO: Democratic Republic of Congo's former President Joseph Kabila leaves after briefing memebrs of the media, following talks with South Africa's former President Thabo Mbeki at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo KINSHASA - Congo's former President Joseph Kabila on Friday lambasted the Central African country's justice system, a day after the senate voted overwhelmingly in favour of lifting his immunity from prosecution over his alleged links to the M23 rebel group. Kabila is wanted in Congo for alleged crimes against humanity for supporting the insurgency in the east, including a role in the massacre of civilians. Congo has also moved to suspend his political party and seize the assets of its leaders. "As for the justice system ... it has completely abdicated its responsibilities, allowing itself to be openly exploited for political ends," Kabila, who denies any ties to the rebel group, said in a speech on Friday evening. "It is therefore nothing more than an instrument of oppression for a dictatorship desperately trying to survive," he said. He also called for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from the national territory. Kabila stepped down after almost 20 years in power in 2018, yielding to protests. He has been out of the country since late 2023, mostly in South Africa. The senate backed lifting his immunity by 88 votes to 5 in a secret ballot. Kabila has for weeks said he will return to Congo to help find a solution to the crisis in the east, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels now control large swathes of territory. Speaking on Friday from an undisclosed location - for security reasons, according to his team - Kabila said Congo's sovereignty and territorial integrity were non-negotiable. "As a soldier, I swore to defend my country to the supreme sacrifice ... I remain more faithful than ever to this oath," he said. A return to Congo by Kabila could complicate the bid to end the rebellion in eastern Congo, which contains vast supplies of critical minerals that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is keen to access. Washington is pushing for a peace agreement to be signed this summer, accompanied by minerals deals aimed at bringing billions of dollars of Western investment to the region, Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters earlier this month. Kabila came to power in 2001 after his father's assassination. He refused to stand down when his final term officially ended in 2016, leading to deadly protests, before he agreed to leave office following an election in 2018. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Congo moves to lift ex-President Kabila's immunity, accusing him of war crimes
FILE PHOTO: Democratic Republic of Congo's former President Joseph Kabila leaves after briefing memebrs of the media, following talks with South Africa's former President Thabo Mbeki at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo KINSHASA - Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a bid to strip former President Joseph Kabila of immunity so he can face trial on charges of supporting the M23 insurgency in the country's east, where the government is seeking to draft a peace deal this week. Kabila, who agreed to step down in 2018 after almost two decades in power, has been out of the country since late 2023, mostly in South Africa. He said last month he would return to help find a solution to the crisis in the east, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized large areas this year. A return to Congo by Kabila, who has denied supporting the rebels, could complicate a U.S.-backed bid to end the rebellion in eastern Congo, which contains valuable minerals that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is keen to help mine. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba told reporters in Kinshasa on Wednesday evening that the Congolese army's attorney general has asked Congo's Senate to revoke the immunity from prosecution Kabila enjoys as a senator for life. Congo has amassed clear evidence of "war crimes, crimes against humanity and massacres of peaceful civilians and military personnel," Mutamba said, adding that Kabila should return to Congo to face justice or risk being tried in absentia. Congo and Rwanda have pledged to come up with a draft peace deal by May 2 and refrain from providing military support to armed groups, according to an agreement signed in Washington on April 25. It was unclear on Thursday whether anything would be ready for signature by Friday and what the terms would be. Kabila came to power in 2001 after his father's assassination. He refused to stand down when his final term officially ended in 2016, leading to deadly protests, before agreeing to leave office following an election in 2018. Last month, the interior ministry suspended his political party, while the justice ministry said it would seize Kabila's assets and the assets of party leaders. Ferdinand Kambere, permanent secretary of Kabila's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy, said the attempt to lift Kabila's immunity showed the government feared Kabila's return. He blamed President Felix Tshisekedi, a Kabila rival, for causing the crisis in the east. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
