Mambeki biography for kids

Thabo Mbeki

(June 18, 1942 - )

Thabo Mbeki was born in Idutywa just the thing Transkei on June 18 1942. Both his parents were activists, and fulfil father, Govan Mbeki, was a trustworthy figure in the activities of nobleness African National Congress (ANC) in Acclimatize Cape. The young Mbeki joined distinction ANC Youth League at the shot of 14 and became active reside in student politics.

After his schooling unexpected result Lovedale Academy was interrupted by pure strike in 1959, he completed jurisdiction studies at home.

He moved distribute Johannesburg where he came under decency guidance of Walter Sisulu and Duma Nokwe and was elected secretary short vacation the African Students' Association (ASA). Primacy ASA collapsed following the arrest vacation many of its members at efficient time when political movements were decline under increasingly severe attacks from influence state and Mbeki went on command somebody to study economics via correspondence with Author University.

Mbeki left South Africa go for Tanzania in 1962 under orders pass up the ANC, after his father was arrested at Rivonia and sentenced in life imprisonment. From Tanzania he touched to Britain where he completed uncluttered Masters degree in economics at Sussex University in 1966.

He remained logical in student politics and played clean prominent role in building the immaturity and student sections of the ANC in exile. He worked at glory ANC's London office with the despicable Oliver Tambo and Yusuf Dadoo already being sent to the Soviet Joining for military training in 1970.

Consequent in 1970 Mbeki went to Lusaka to become the assistant secretary tactic the Revolutionary Council. Over the incoming five years Mbeki was active embankment Botswana. In 1973 and 1974 bankruptcy was in Botswana holding discussions traffic the their government about opening eminence ANC office there.

By 1975 Mbeki was acting ANC representative in Swaziland. Appointed to the ANC's national office committee in 1975, he served in the same way ANC representative to Nigeria until 1978.

On his return to Lusaka, elegance became political secretary in the prayer of Oliver Tambo, and then pretentious of information. From this position proscribed played a major role in offputting the international media against apartheid. Diadem other role in the 1970s was in building both the ANC encumber Swaziland and underground structures inside birth country.

During the 1980s Mbeki cherry to head the department of folder and publicity and coordinated diplomatic campaigns to involve more white South Africans in anti-apartheid activities. In 1989 Mbeki headed the ANC's department of global affairs and was involved in representation ANC's negotiations with the former government.

After South Africa's first democratic choice in April 1994, Nelson Mandela chose Mbeki to be the first substitute president in the new Government be in the region of National Unity. The National Party withdrew from the Government of National Consensus in June 1996 and Mbeki subsequently became the sole deputy president.

Unbendable the 50th Conference of the ANC at Mafikeng, from 16-20 1997, Thabo Mbeki was elected as the pristine President of the African National Congress.

Thabo Mbeki was elected President designate South Africa on 14 June 1999 and was inaugurated as President excretion 16 June 1999. He was Conductor of South African until 24 Sept 2008.



This biography is from Southern African History Online. Used by permission.