Makhethe

“Now is the time, I believe, for Africa to send its own tall ships across the waters, not to conquer, but to proclaim that Africa has found its will, that Africa has found its way and Africa has earned its right to lead” (Thabo Mbeki 2006)

At 91, South African jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim graced the Rosies stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. iol.co.za #CapeTownInternationalJazzFestival #jazz #legend #AbdullahIbrahim

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation is pleased to announce the 3rd African Peace and Security Dialogue, taking place 2-5 September 2026 in Gauteng, South Africa. Following successful 2024 and 2025 editions, this year’s gathering will focus on Libya and the Horn of Africa while tracking lessons from other theatres. Building on successful editions in 2024 and 2025, this invite-only platform continues to bring together senior decision-makers, mediators, diplomats, civil society and business leaders for candid, off-the-record discussions on the continent’s most complex conflicts. The APSD is not a negotiation table. It is a trusted space where difficult issues get aired, trust gets rebuilt, and ideas that can support African-led efforts take shape. Our first gathering in 2024 brought 150 participants and produced a major report on the Sudans. The 2025 edition grew to 175 people and included a groundbreaking 25-person delegation from the DRC that spanned government, opposition and armed groups. Both events showed the power of honest dialogue and trust-building. This year, the goal stays the same. Move Africa from just managing crises to building real peace. From short-term fixes to long-term political processes. From outside templates to African-owned solutions that stick. If you’re in peace and security work on the continent and want to be part of it, watch this space. More details coming soon.

South African Scientists outperformed Princeton, Oxford and Stanford Researchers in the field of Antarctic and Southern Ocean science. They ranked among the best in the world in the field of study. Credit: @dailymaverick.

If this matrix is the measure: only Mandela & Mbeki improved anything! De Klerk (1989-1994): GDP Growth 1.2%, unemployment rate 23%, debt to GDP: 48.7%, Murder Rate: 69 Mandela (1994-99): GDP growth 3%, unemployment rate: 23%. Debt to GDP: 45%. Net New Jobs: 479 600 per year. Murder Rate: 52 Mbeki (1999-08): GDP growth 4.3%, Unemployment rate: 22%, Debt to GDP: 23%. Net New Jobs per year: 526 875. Murder Rate: 35. Zuma (2009-18): GDP growth: 1.9%, unemployment rate: 27%, Debt to GDP: 53%. Net New Jobs per year: 214 555. Murder Rate: 36 Ramaphosa (2018-25): GDP growth: 1.3%. Unemployment rate 31%, Debt to GDP: 75%. Net New Jobs per year: 68 333. Murder Rate: 64 At this rate, by the time Ramaphosa finishes in 2029: he will be worse than De Klerk! FACT: MBEKI is the BEST PRESIDENT!

That’s it, Tyla! 🇿🇦 Well done on your latest win. Now a two-time Grammy Award winner for Best African Music Performance. Keep it up! #Tyla #FlyTheSAFlag🇿🇦 #CulturalDiplomacy #Grammys2026 📷: @Brand_SA

We are excited to have hosted stakeholders who came together for an intimate and thoughtful exchange at the Commons Monthly Seminar. Under the theme “South Africa, Africa and the World,” the seminar created a shared space for critical reflection, dialogue, and engagement on South Africa’s place within shifting global dynamics.

An incredible episode and a timely intervention in our current political predicament. Conversations like this are incredibly important for revealing the less visible histories that brought us to this point. Leadership rooted in accountability will always have my respect ✊🏾

All set for the King #MoshoeshoeII Memorial Lecture, with former South African President #ThaboMbeki as keynote speaker. @TMFoundation_

The #Mbeki Family has deep roots in area. Thabo's mother, Epainette Mbeki (nee #Moerane) was born in Mt. Fletcher, but Moerane family had deep ties in Lesotho. Family were PEMS church members. Highlights deep and on-going #Basotho (#Bafokeng) cross-#border ties. #Lesotho

The Memorial Lecture marking the 30th Anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Moshoeshoe II, will be broadcast live on Lesotho Television, DSTV Channel 292 from 18:00. Tune in!

Before tonight’s lecture, H.E. Thabo Mbeki held a private audience with His Majesty King Letsie III. A moment to strengthen the historic bonds that unite the Basotho and South African people.

Well Done 👏🏾

During the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, President Lula of Brazil, President Ramaphosa of South Africa and I held a leaders' meeting of IBSA, a forum which reflects our enduring commitment to strengthening the voice and aspirations of the Global South. IBSA is no ordinary grouping. It is an important platform that connects three continents, three large democratic powers and three major economies. @LulaOficial @CyrilRamaphosa

Halala #G20SouthAfrica 🇿🇦 🇩🇪 thanks you for a great summit. Siyabonga kakhulu.

Congratulations to my dear friend @CyrilRamaphosa and his team for this G20 Summit, the first ever on the African continent. Hand in hand as we look ahead to the French G7 Presidency!

Anele asked Helen Zille some serious questions that none of the radio stations that had recently hosted her had ever asked before, and she became defensive, starting to mention her apartheid-fighting credentials. Anele stood her ground until the very last minute of the interview.

[ON AIR] The South African government faces sharp criticism after representatives of the sanctioned M23 rebel group attended a peace and security dialogue in Magaliesburg, Gauteng, without proper vetting. The @TMFoundation_ hosted the event, which aimed to address conflicts across Africa. The presence of #M23, just months after 14 South African soldiers were killed in clashes with the group in Goma, has sparked outrage. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola insists the government was unaware of M23's attendance, stating his department did not review the guest list. @LifeWithThami unpacks with Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, Anthoni van Nieuwkerk. #AfricaUpdate #DRC #M23 📸: @ACCORD_online

“From the first day to the very last, President Mbeki was fully present - attentive, thoughtful, and engaging. This is the essence of true leadership: the ability to listen deeply, understand, and find common ground. It’s a lesson for us all.” - Max Boqwana, CEO of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation #APSD2025

Closing Reflections by President Thabo Mbeki at the #apsd2025 President Mbeki opened with a striking idiom: “The foot has no nose.” His reminder: when speaking about countries, words matter. Just as you never know where a foot will step, you cannot predict where words may lead. "I will say something on these matters,” he noted, “but I must be careful, because the foot has no nose"

My keynote address today on Southern Africa & Great Lakes