Latest news with #ThaboMbeki
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Protestors storm parliament, and serial-offender Luis Suárez bites again, some of the historical moments on this day
President Thabo Mbeki sets the bar too high during his first SONA 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn: General George Custer and the US Seventh Cavalry are wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. 1904 Cape Town is flooded again within the space of a few days as streets turn into raging torrents. A considerable amount of damage is recorded, but there are no records of fatalities. 1940 A conference of editors in Pretoria agrees to voluntary censorship on military matters and keep the public in the dark about World War II as much as possible. 1947 The Diary of a Young Girl (aka The Diary of Anne Frank) is published. The book is significant in that it speaks for the voiceless (especially children, whose stories have never been told), is a witness to atrocity, and a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Anne's words – such as 'In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart' – are a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit and a plea for tolerance, compassion, and peace. 1948 The Berlin Airlift begins, ferrying humanitarian supplies into the city. The South African Air Force is strongly involved. 1950 The Korean War begins. SA, as a founding member of the UN, sends an air force squadron. 33 South African pilots are killed. 1999 In his first State-Of-the-Nation-Address, President Thabo Mbeki promises to tackle crime; SA's murder rate is third highest in the world. This year (2025), it is slightly improved at 10th-highest. Lesotho is the fourth-worst. 2006 In Jeppestown, Joburg, four cops are ambushed and shot dead by a 23-strong gang of robbers. The Task Force goes in and kill eight of the gang. The rest surrender. 2014 Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suárez is charged with biting at the Fifa World Cup. The serial-offender apologises and reforms. 2020 Liverpool clinches first EPL soccer title in 30 years with 7 games to spare. 2022 The 30 000-year-old intact remains of a baby woolly mammoth is found frozen in permafrost in gold-fields of Yukon, Canada. 2024 China's Chang'e 6 mission is the first to return samples from the far side of the moon. 2024 Protesters storm parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, and set it alight. Police open fire on them, killing five and wounding 31. DAILY NEWS
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Beaded tribute: Artist gifts Thabo Mbeki a 77 558-bead portrait for his birthday
The portrait depicts a young Thabo Mbeki and was crafted entirely from beads — 77,558 of them, to be exact, by artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo. Artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo took more than 700 hours to create the handcrafted bead portrait of Mbeki. Picture: @Powerfm987/X After working on a Thabo Mbeki portrait for three months, dedicating more than 700 hours of her time, artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo presented the former president with a handcrafted bead portrait for his birthday. 'We hope this portrait serves as a lasting reminder of the impact you've made,' said artist Hlatshwayo in her brief speech before revealing the portrait to loud cheers on Sunday. The portrait is a photo of a younger Mbeki, which was made solely from beads — 77,558 to be exact. Hlawtwayo said it wasn't just a portrait, but a symbol. 'Each bead represents the countless lives touched, the inspiration given and the legacy created by Mr Thabo Mbeki. This isn't just a picture, it's a symbol,' said Hlawtwayo. 'It's unique, vibrant and unforgettable,' just like Mbeki she said. The portrait was unveiled at the end of the night of Mbeki's 83rd birthday on Sunday evening at the Joburg Theatre, hosted by radio station Power FM. Hlatshwayo is the artist behind Beads by Lindiwe, where she creates customary portraits similar to the one gifted to Mbeki. ALSO READ: Saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane shares special moment with Thabo Mbeki at birthday party Mbeki's love for art Although the theatre was filled with politicians and dignitaries, there was a presence of art—a display of Mbeki's appreciation for it. In 2023, during his 81st birthday celebrations, Mbeki shared an intimate moment with young saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane. After cutting the birthday cake, Mbeki gave the first piece to Sikhakhane. This was after Sikhakhane made mention of how jazz and politics were in tandem in the fight against apartheid during his set, which the former president quoted when he made his speech. 'We've lost sight of the role of the arts in terms of the formation of the nation. That we see music just as entertainment, so you stand up and jive and all of that. As we heard from the saxophonist who was saying that it would be a mistake to separate jazz from the politics of this country,' Mbeki said at the time. 'We have to attend to this matter, of bringing back the arts as part of the making of the nation.' Simphiwe Dana took the song "Malaika" to the next level tonight! Mama Miriam Makeba is definitely smiling. — Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) June 22, 2025 At the celebrations on Sunday, singer Simphiwe Dana mesmerised guests through song. In his address, Mbeki described the Zandisile singer as a 'revolutionary militant.' Dana was part of a group that travelled with Mbeki to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for his 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture. NOW READ: Trombonist Siyasanga 'Siya' Charles excited to come back home for the National Arts Festival
IOL News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Thabo Mbeki: An intellectual powerhouse far ahead of his generation
Former President Thabo Mbeki was known for crafting his own speeches, engaging in thoughtful debates, and challenging conventional wisdom. Let us remember Mbeki not as a relic of the past, but as a beacon for the future. Image: DIRCO 'You have to lead. You should be sensitive to what your followers think. But if you do exactly what they want, you are not a leader.' — Mahathir Mohamad IN an era where political leadership often prioritises popularity over principle, former president Thabo Mbeki stood out as a rare intellectual force in South African politics. Unlike his predecessors, who relied heavily on speechwriters, Mbeki was known for crafting his own speeches, engaging in thoughtful debates, and challenging conventional wisdom. Mbeki's presidency was marked by a unique blend of intellect and political acumen. He dared to question dominant narratives, most notably during the HIV/Aids crisis, when he encouraged broader scientific discourse rather than accepting prevailing assumptions uncritically. While this approach drew criticism, it also highlighted his commitment to reasoned inquiry — a hallmark of his leadership style. His ability to bridge the gap between academia and governance set him apart. Mbeki was not only a politician but also a thinker — one who could frame complex policy issues with clarity and originality. He approached governance with a philosopher's depth and a statesman's pragmatism, making him one of Africa's most respected leaders. 'What happens,' asked Mahmood Mamdani, commenting on the William Makgoba imbroglio at Wits, 'when seekers of knowledge turn around and claim to be custodians of knowledge? Knowledge seeking is a profoundly humble and a profoundly subversive activity. Its starting point, Socrates' fashion, is both the admission of ignorance in self and the questioning of truth. Knowledge-custody, on the other hand, is more of a self-appointed priestly affair, both arrogant and conservative.' 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 Indeed, Mbeki's critical intellect and his unwillingness to be swamped by the opinion of the herd were best captured by his pronouncements on issues of national concern, more specifically concerning the HIV/Aids debate. To be president of a country does not necessarily mean that one should not have or express personal views on matters of national interest. Even though, for public figures, the line between the private and the public is often blurred, it is sometimes necessary to keep it in mind, especially in this age of the unscrupulous press and the paparazzi. Mbeki's intellectual rigour was matched by his dedication to public service. He oversaw economic reforms that stabilised South Africa's post-apartheid economy and championed Pan-Africanism through initiatives like the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad). As a diplomat, he played a key role in mediating regional conflicts and elevating South Africa's global standing. Despite his achievements, Mbeki's intellectual independence made him a polarising figure. Critics accused him of being aloof or overly theoretical, yet these very traits enabled him to govern with vision and consistency. In a political climate increasingly dominated by populism and short-term thinking, Mbeki's legacy reminds us of the value of critical thought and principled leadership. A product of ANC liberation traditions, Mbeki inherited a deep commitment to justice from his father, Govan Mbeki, and his mother, Epainette Mbeki. Educated abroad during decades of exile, he returned to help shape South Africa's democratic future. His tenure as deputy president under then-president Nelson Mandela positioned him as a natural successor, and he led the country from 1999 until his controversial recall in 2008. Since Mbeki's departure from office, political discourse in South Africa has arguably deteriorated. Parliamentary debate has become more performative than substantive, and intellectual engagement is often sidelined. This decline underscores the importance of nurturing critical thinking from an early age, encouraging young people to question, reflect, and challenge established norms. Mbeki's intellectual contributions extend beyond policy. He understood that history is not merely a record of events but a lens through which we interpret the present and imagine the future. Drawing from thinkers like Giorgio Agamben and Roger Simon, Mbeki framed the past not as a burden but as a source of insight — an untimely light illuminating the complexities of our time. As Isaiah Berlin once noted, understanding a thinker requires identifying the central idea that animates their work. For Mbeki, that idea was the transformative power of knowledge, both as a tool for development and as a moral compass guiding political action. He believed in Africa's potential to chart its own course and advocated for African solutions to African problems. The modern world demands leaders who can marry intellect with governance. As Robert Taylor argued, instinct alone cannot navigate the complexities of contemporary challenges. A nation's survival depends on leaders who apply rigorous thought to practical affairs. Mbeki exemplified this ideal, combining scholarly reflection with decisive leadership. Edward Said warned against intellectuals who shy away from difficult truths out of fear of controversy. Mbeki never shied away. He remained steadfast in his convictions, even when they placed him at odds with popular opinion. That courage, coupled with his eloquence and integrity, defined his legacy. As Said put it: 'Nothing in my mind is more reprehensible than those habits of mind in the intellectual that induce avoidance, that characteristic turning away from a difficult and principled position which you know to be the right one.' Ever since Mbeki left Parliament, there has been a 'dumbing down' of political discourse in the National Assembly. Politicians seem almost frightened, if not apathetic, about showing intellect. Politicians have become intellectually moribund. Cacophony in the form of heckling has replaced robust political discourse. Sadly, this is characteristic of our society at large. It starts right early in school classes. Children need to be taught to have independent thoughts, to question what they are given, and to challenge myths. Mbeki is the nation's best thinker among politicians, and the best politician among thinkers. Mbeki is the most widely respected politician on the entire African continent, if not the world. A consistent theme throughout Mbeki's political career has been his inimitable ability to frame and reframe a debate on a given public policy problem by relying on data and originality, not ideology, and to do it with wry and perceptive wit and eloquent wisdom that cannot escape one's attention. Mbeki is the epitome and embodiment of exceptional and illuminating lifelong virtues. For anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him, it is not hard to remember his awesome personality. Throughout his political life, he has won wide respect as a voice of reason and a source of wisdom. He is the resolute voice for wisdom and decency. Armed with colossal energy and astute judgment, he has helped settle some of the most complex international disputes. Today, Mbeki's ideas are resurging in relevance. As South Africa grapples with economic stagnation and political uncertainty, there is renewed interest in his vision of rational governance, Pan-African solidarity, and intellectual courage. His absence from active politics left a void — one that few have been able to fill. Let us remember Thabo Mbeki not as a relic of the past, but as a beacon for the future. * Dr Vusi Shongwe works in the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal and writes in his personal capacity. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
News24
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Farewell to Louis Moholo-Moholo: Jazz revolutionary and anti-apartheid voice dies at 85
Louis Tebogo Moholo-Moholo, who died at 85, was the final surviving member of South Africa's pioneering Blue Notes sextet. He was also the only member who lived to return home after decades in exile. Moholo-Moholo's work protesting against apartheid raised global awareness about South Africa's struggle and earned him the National Order of Ikhamanga from President Thabo Mbeki in 2004. The South African jazz world has lost one of its greatest pioneers. Louis Tebogo Moholo-Moholo, the internationally acclaimed drummer and last surviving member of the Blue Notes sextet, died at age 85. Family spokesperson Mr Phila Mtwana confirmed the legendary musician's death, saying, 'he died this morning in his sleep at home.' Moholo-Moholo was one of the founding members of the Blue Notes, along with pianist Chris McGregor, trumpeter Mongezi Feza, bassist Johnny Dyani, and saxophonists Dudu Pukwana and Nikele Moyake. He was the only member of this influential group to survive their years in exile. Born on 10 March 1940 in Cape Town, Moholo-Moholo's journey through music began in the townships of apartheid South Africa. In 1964, facing increasing racial oppression that limited their ability to perform together as a mixed-race group, the Blue Notes left South Africa to perform at the Antibes Jazz Festival in France. What was initially planned as a temporary departure became permanent exile as apartheid's grip tightened at home. After settling in London, the legendary drummer became a central figure in the European avant-garde jazz scene. His drumming style, which merged traditional African rhythms with free jazz experimentation, made him a sought-after collaborator. He performed with the Brotherhood of Breath, a big band that combined South African exiles with British free jazz musicians and worked with international luminaries, including Cecil Taylor, Steve Lacy, and Derek Bailey. His music protested apartheid, raising awareness among European audiences about the struggles faced by Black South Africans. Unlike his Blue Notes bandmates, all of whom died in exile, Moholo-Moholo lived to see the end of apartheid and returned to South Africa in 2005, settling in his hometown of Langa, Cape Town. His contributions to music and anti-apartheid activism earned him the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver from former president Thabo Mbeki in 2004. More recently, he was honoured during KwaLanga's centenary celebrations with legacy projects designed to introduce his pioneering work to younger generations of South Africans. Moholo-Moholo leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as not just a master drummer but as a cultural ambassador who used music as a weapon against oppression and a bridge between traditions.
The Herald
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
National Foundations notes commencement of national dialogue
A national dialogue preparatory committee set up by the National Foundations has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Tuesday of the national dialogue process, a historic chance for South Africans to reclaim their agency. The National Foundations consists of 43 civil society groups and 12 foundations including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Steve Biko Foundation and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. 'It is rare in the history of any nation for citizens rather than just their representatives to be given an opportunity to embark on a historical reflection about the state and condition of their nation, and their prospects for the future,' the National Foundations said on Wednesday. The foundations said on April 30 2024, former president Thabo Mbeki, reflecting on 30 years of democracy, made a passionate call for the nation to engage in a dialogue to work a new vision and programme for the next 30 years and beyond. Mbeki then tasked the National Foundations to prepare for the national dialogue. 'Thus the National Foundations became the custodians of the national dialogue from that day.' The foundations set up a committee to commence with preparations for this initiative, expanding the pool of civil society support for the national dialogue. 'In September 2024, the foundations convened a two-day workshop, attended by close to 50 civil society formations ... to set up structures, ranging from content development, planning and organisation, public mobilisation, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation and marketing and communications subcommittees to anchor preparations for the national dialogue in granular detail.' The foundations said around the same time, its preparatory committee began engagements with the emissaries of Ramaphosa, who is empowered by the constitution, to call for an initiative of this magnitude and consequence. 'At those meetings the foundations stressed the importance of the national dialogue to be a citizens-led initiative, rather than a government-run enterprise, to help overcome the chasm that has opened up between government and the governed in our country, as illustrated by the fact that only about 40% of eligible voters in our country bothered to vote in the last national and provincial elections in May 2024.' The foundations said the voter stayaway was a pointer to a massive alienation of the electorate from the democratic project, which ought to be a concern. 'For if the electorate is alienated from the democratic project, what are the implications for the legitimacy for the democratic order. It was thus important that we embarked on an initiative which will result in the citizens reclaiming their agency. 'We are happy that we reached a mutual understanding with the head of state on the essence and approach to the national dialogue.' The National Foundations said it had greed on all the structures that will underpin the execution of the national dialogue. 'We will, in the coming days, elaborate on the process that will unfold towards the preparatory convention for the national dialogue process scheduled to be held on August 15.' TimesLIVE
