Artists

Thabo Mbeki Biography

Basic Information

Stage Name: Thabo Mbeki
Real Name: Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki
Occupation: Politician
Date Of Birth/Age: 18 June 1942
Place of Birth: Mbewuleni, eSigangeni, South Africa
Gender: Male
Nationality: South African
Marital Status: Married (Zanele Dlamini Mbeki)
Education: University of Sussex

Thabo Mbeki Biography

Thabo Mbeki is a South African politician and author and the second black president of South Africa after Nelson Mandela. Born to activist parents, it was only a matter of time before he showed interest in his parents’ activism, joining the African National Congress and propagating its message.

The banning of and crackdown on the ANC forced Mbeki and other party stalwarts to flee into exile. To evade identification and capture, they dressed like a football team and disappeared.

Years later, Mbeki would return to South Africa alongside other party faithful. After Nelson Mandela concluded his first term (he wouldn’t go for a second term), Mbeki was elected president of the Rainbow Nation in 1999 and served until 2008, when he resigned following pressure from the ruling ANC,

Age

Born in 1942, Thabo Mbeki is currently 79 years. He celebrated his birthday in June.

Children

Thabo Mbeki’s marriage to Zanele produced no children. However, he was just 16 years old he impregnated Olive Mphahlwa, who bore him a son called Monwabisi Kwanda Mbeki. Kwanda disappeared mysteriously and has not been heard from since. He was assumed killed by apartheid forces.

Wife

Thabo Mbeki’s wife is a woman called Zanele Dlamini Mbeki. The couple married in November 1974 in a London registry. They met while Zanele was studying at the University of London.

Thabo Mbeki Biography 2

Foundation

Thabo Mbeki is among the global leaders with foundations to their name. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation aims to be the catalyst for a renaissance in Africa.

Net Worth

As you probably already know, there are no broke presidents in Africa. And yeah, you don’t expect Thabo Mbeki to be an exception. Do you? The former diplomat is said to be one of the wealthiest politicians in South Africa, with a net worth of $10 million. He reportedly made his fortune from his job as a politician and diplomat.

Thabo Mbeki Biography 3

House

Thabo Mbeki has a couple of houses, but apparently, none had attracted as much curiosity and criticism as his Johannesburg home. So when construction started on the project in 2006, speculations were rife that government resources were being used.

In a statement, though, the Mbeki household made it clear that the government was only taking care of the security arrangement in the palatial mansion. Nevertheless, some peeps who were not convinced wondered why Zanele Mbeki should use a pseudonym while contracting a builder.

The case has since died down.

Quotes

For one who has travelled far and wide as a politician and diplomat, it is not surprising that Thabo Mbeki has got several memorable quotes, from politics to safe sex to the African continent – you name them.

The most memorable of his quotes appear to be about Africa and its people. The politic has got great faith in Africa and the ability of the continent to secure a place in the sun.

He once said: “When will the day come that our dignity will be fully restored, when the purpose of our lives will no longer be merely to survive until the sun rises tomorrow!”

Library & Books

The former president is an advocate for literacy, and much has been written about him and by him. His books include Letters from the President: Articles from the First 100 Editions of ANC Today, Africa – Define Yourself, and Mahube: The Dawning Of The Dawn: Speeches, Lectures & Tributes.

He’s also the brains behind the domed Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library, which feeds African consciousness.

Thabo Mbeki Biography 4

Back to top button