We extend a heartfelt welcome to our valued supporters, ambassadors, friends of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation (TMF) both on the continent and spread across the diaspora. This edition of our quarterly publication, The Renaissance Review, stands as a testament to our commitment to fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas, facilitating ongoing dialogue, and engaging our readership in efforts to further the African Renaissance.
As a Pan-African Resource Centre, the Thabo Mbeki Foundation endeavours to catalyse the rejuvenation of our magnificent continent. We find our purpose at the crossroads of innovative thought leadership and meaningful action. A glimpse at our activities during the past quarter will corroborate this foundational premise.
This newsletter is not just a source of information about the Foundation’s work and activities but also an invitation for you to join the conversation. We believe in the power of collective intelligence and collaborative action, and it’s your insights and involvement that will drive the change we aspire to. Therefore, we highly encourage you to make use of this platform to share your thoughts, ideas, and visions for Africa’s future.
The cessation of hostilities in Ethiopia has ignited a glimmer of hope for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. The Foundation actively supports these efforts. We plan to host a diverse group of Ethiopians in the coming weeks to discuss the pathway to lasting peace and explore the concept of an “Ethiopia we want”.
Regrettably, the ongoing conflict in Sudan casts a long shadow, undermining the African Union’s (AU) agenda of silencing the guns and fostering regional stability. Our patron is ceaselessly engaged with the relevant parties, urging them to steer their efforts towards the democratization of Sudan. Simultaneously, we join our voice to the chorus of those calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, thereby enabling IGAD and AU to guide the nation towards a peaceful resolution.
Despite its geographic distance, the war in Ukraine poses substantial challenges for Africa, necessitating a realignment of geopolitical relations and forcing the continent to grapple with an economic crisis triggered by sanctions and other trade restrictions. The impact is particularly stark in the agriculture sector, with prohibitions on agricultural inputs, products, and fertilizers threatening to precipitate a food crisis.
The TMF is leading multi-stakeholder report on the Impact of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict on Food Security in Africa which is set to be released in August. The impetus for this study was partly provided by a successful International Women’s Day event, hosted by our Foundation on March 9, 2023. The event cast a spotlight on food production and security, the role of technology, and the invaluable contributions of women in these domains.
We’re excited to share several notable developments regarding programs that further the Foundation’s work. Firstly, we’re delighted to announce that the Thabo Mbeki African School for Public and International Affairs is now enrolling students for its Masters and PhD programs. The School is soon set to relocate to its dedicated campus in Irene (www.unisa.ac.za/tmschool).
In addition to this, we’ve seen significant progress in the development of the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Centre (TMPC). The Centre is currently being exhibited at the recently opened Venice Architecture Biennale, “Laboratory of the Future,” which is being curated by Leslie Lokko, the Ghanaian-Scottish novelist, architect, and educator.
Another milestone was our Africa Day Lecture, hosted in Guinea Conakry on 27th May 2023. Under the theme: “Pan African Imperatives: Society, Knowledge and Institutions”, our guest lecturer, Professor Siba Grovogui of International Relations and African Thought at Cornell University, graced the occasion (www.africadaylecture.com). The aim of this lecture was to ignite the African Renaissance Movement, designed to shape and propel an African-centred development agenda. We were thrilled to welcome a broad audience to this lecture, which was concluded by a tribute concert to the renowned cultural Ambassador of Africa – Mama Zenzile Miriam Makeba.
We’re also pleased to announce the addition of three significant volumes to our body of work: Road to Democracy, Volumes 8, 9, and 10. These volumes delve into the South African Diasporas in pre-colonial times, explore the power and authority of women, and recount early successes in overthrowing colonial powers in events such as the Haitian Revolution, the Battle of Adwa, and Isandlwana. These can be obtained from Exclusive Books and other reputable bookstores, or by placing an order through info@mbeki.org.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners who worked with us over the last quarter. The Foundation’s work seeks to empower Africans to take charge of their destiny, and your support is invaluable in this pursuit.
Our Foundation is fortunate to be collaborating with various esteemed partners, each playing an instrumental role in our numerous initiatives across different sectors.
Our digital education programme, currently implemented in 50 primary schools in Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape, is being delivered with the invaluable support of our partner, ProuFuturo. This partnership is enabling us to shape the future of education in these regions.
In response to the needs of Marikana victims, we’ve initiated a collaborative effort with Sibanye Stillwater and Reimagine SA. Our work encompasses various facets such as seeking justice, providing housing, education, employment, and financial assistance to the victims.
We’ve also teamed up with the Matjhabeng Municipality and Sibanye Stillwater in an ambitious effort to revamp local governance. Our collective goal is to design a model that fosters good governance and facilitates economic rejuvenation for the municipality.
In a bid to elevate women’s empowerment, our partners, Cisco and Ab-InBev, have significantly contributed to our International Women’s Day events. They’ve also been instrumental in shaping and building the TMPL architectural strategy.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the National Libraries of South Africa for housing the various archives received by the TMF, including those of Kwame Nkrumah and Amilcar Cabral among others. The ongoing digitization process of these archives, facilitated by them, is a significant step towards preserving our shared heritage.
Finally, our Africa Day Lecture in the Republic of Guinea (Conakry) was made possible through the support and promotion from MTN, Anglo-Gold Ashanti, and AFDB. Their contribution is immensely valuable in championing our cause on a global platform.
Each of these partnerships underscores our commitment to creating a more equitable society, and we are grateful for the continued support of these organizations.
We continue to make a call to many others to support our various programmes and to join us in the initiatives for a better Africa.
Despite the myriad challenges and obstacles our continent encounters, we find immense hope and encouragement in the multitude of individuals and companies, both domestically and internationally, who stand by us in our mission to accelerate Africa’s renewal. These individuals and companies share our conviction that our work is far from over, and that our continent has the potential to outperform expectations.
During our recent visit to India, which aimed to foster economic and cultural partnerships between Africa and India, we were heartened by the widespread acknowledgment of our Foundation’s dedication and our Patron’s commitment to advancing Africa’s interests. The enthusiasm of industry leaders for our cause was a testament to the belief in Africa’s potential.
Moreover, the courage of our ancestors continues to inspire us. Their unwavering commitment to preserving their freedom and self-determination led to historic victories such as the Haitian Revolution, the Battle of Adwa, and the Battle of Isandlwana. These triumphs fill us with pride and imbue us with a sense of dignity. They serve as potent reminders of our resilient spirit, reinforcing our belief that temporary setbacks cannot hinder our march towards a prosperous Africa.
Drawing inspiration from our past, and buoyed by the support we receive from home and abroad, we remain unflinching in our resolve. Our vision for a prosperous Africa remains unwavering and we are committed to overcoming any challenge that comes our way. The journey may be challenging, but we are firmly resolved that nothing can deter us now!
Max Boqwana
Chief Executive Officer
Thabo Mbeki Foundation