Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has made a heartfelt plea for unity across the African continent, calling on citizens to reject hostility and embrace one another as one people. Speaking during the celebration of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation’s 15th anniversary, the former president reflected on Africa’s shared destiny and warned against the dangers of division, discrimination, and xenophobia.
Mbeki, who served as South Africa’s second democratic president from 1999 to 2008, emphasized the importance of solidarity among Africans, urging them to “live side by side” rather than turn against each other. He expressed deep concern about growing intolerance and movements that promote division, such as Operation Dudula — a group known for its anti-immigrant stance and violent campaigns against foreign nationals.
“It pains me to see Africans fighting Africans,” Mbeki said, addressing the audience gathered to mark the Foundation’s milestone. “We cannot build a prosperous and peaceful continent by turning on our brothers and sisters from neighboring countries. The challenges we face in South Africa are born from within; they are not caused by foreigners.”
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, established to advance African renaissance ideals and foster unity across the continent, has over the years worked to promote dialogue, education, and leadership rooted in Pan-African values. Mbeki noted that many individuals and organizations from various African nations reach out to the Foundation for guidance and support, a sign that the mission of African solidarity remains as urgent as ever.
He stressed that the Foundation bears a responsibility to bring Africans together, creating platforms where citizens from all walks of life can discuss the root causes of their challenges — whether economic, political, or social — and find collective solutions. “We must sit together as Africans and talk about what divides us, but more importantly, what unites us,” he said. “Our shared humanity must always come before borders.”
Mbeki’s remarks come at a time when South Africa continues to grapple with waves of xenophobic tension and economic frustration. In recent years, violence and discrimination against foreign nationals — particularly from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Nigeria — have drawn condemnation from both local and international observers. Mbeki’s message serves as a reminder of the ideals he championed during his presidency, where he consistently spoke of an “African Renaissance,” envisioning a continent rising together through cooperation, knowledge, and mutual respect.
Reflecting on his legacy and ongoing mission, Mbeki called on African leaders, youth, and civil society organizations to uphold the spirit of ubuntu — the African philosophy that emphasizes humanity and compassion. “Let us remember,” he concluded, “that an attack on one African is an attack on all Africans. Our future depends on how well we can live and work together.”
The anniversary event, held under the banner “One Africa, One Destiny,” reaffirmed the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to unity, dialogue, and the pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous continent.
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