‘We Failed to Prepare the Youth’: Mbeki Reflects on Post-1994 Leadership Gaps in New Podcast
Johannesburg, South Africa – 28 October 2025 – Former President Thabo Mbeki has opened up about the mistakes made by his generation in preparing South Africa’s youth for leadership after 1994, saying the focus on immediate challenges like housing and jobs left a gap in political education. In the first episode of the African Renaissance Podcast, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi for the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Mbeki shared deep thoughts on the African Renaissance, counter-revolutionary forces, and the country’s “golden age” of economic growth from 1994 to 2009. Released on 27 October 2025, the hour-long talk has sparked debates on social media, with many praising Mbeki’s honesty while others question why these issues were not fixed earlier.
The podcast comes at a time when South Africa faces high youth unemployment – over 45% for those aged 15-34 – and growing frustration among young people. Mbeki’s words highlight how the rush to build a new democracy overlooked teaching the next generation about the past, leaving them without the tools to lead. As the country marks 31 years of freedom, his reflections call for a fresh look at history to inspire change.
Launch of the African Renaissance Podcast
The African Renaissance Podcast is a new series from the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, aimed at sparking bold ideas and deep talks on Africa’s future. Hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a well-known EFF MP and thinker, it kicked off with Mbeki as the first guest. Ndlozi, who calls Mbeki a key figure in South Africa’s story, guided the chat through topics like the birth of the African Renaissance idea and the failures after apartheid ended.
The foundation says the podcast honours Oliver Tambo’s legacy of education and unity. It plans monthly episodes to keep the conversation going. The first one, titled “Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi in Conversation with Former President Thabo Mbeki – EP 1”, has already gained thousands of views on YouTube and social media, with clips shared widely on TikTok and Instagram.
Mbeki on the Origins of African Renaissance
Mbeki traced the African Renaissance back to the end of apartheid in 1994. He said Africa’s unity during the fight against colonialism and apartheid peaked with South Africa’s freedom. “Once South Africa was liberated, the continent that united around the idea of the total liberation of Africa… that task has been achieved. What next do you do? The continent must aim for its renaissance,” he explained.
He linked it to the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) and the push for economic ties after political freedom. Mbeki saw 1994 as a door to rebirth, where Africans could use their power to fix poverty and build strong economies. But he admitted the vision has not been fully reached, leading to today’s problems like joblessness and inequality.
This idea shaped Mbeki’s time as president from 1999 to 2008, when he pushed for African-led solutions like Nepad (New Partnership for Africa’s Development). Today, with Africa’s young population – over 60% under 25 – Mbeki says the Renaissance must speak to them, offering hope amid tough times.
Failure to Prepare the Youth: A Key Mistake
Mbeki was frank about his generation’s shortcomings. He said after 1994, leaders focused on basics like clean water, houses, and jobs, but forgot to teach young people about apartheid’s impact. “We didn’t pay attention to this very important issue… We failed in that respect,” he admitted. Without this knowledge, today’s youth lack the political awareness to lead.
He pointed to protests and rebellions by young people across Africa as signs that the Renaissance has stalled. “The young people rebel in the way they are rebelling because this vision of an Africa reborn has not been achieved,” Mbeki said. He warned that without understanding history, they might repeat old mistakes.
Mbeki called for better history lessons in schools to show how apartheid shaped minds and society. He stressed that pain builds strength, echoing lessons from the struggle. With South Africa’s youth facing high dropout rates and limited skills training, his words urge a rethink of education to include political history.
The Golden Age: Economic Successes Ignored
Mbeki defended the first 15 years of democracy as a “golden age”, citing fast growth in living standards, jobs, and infrastructure. He shared stats from studies showing GDP per capita rose sharply, fixed investment hit 23% of GDP by 2008 (up from 15% in 1994), and millions joined the middle class. “The living conditions of African people in the first 15 years of democracy grew at a much faster pace… than they were ever including under apartheid,” he noted, drawing from conservative thinkers.
He highlighted fiscal discipline with budget surpluses, alongside big social grants and NSFAS for students. Electricity connections, health care, and education improved, lifting many from poverty. But Mbeki said later leaders hid these wins, focusing on negatives to avoid the truth about counter-revolutionary forces.
Recent data backs this: From 1994 to 2008, unemployment fell from 32% to 23%, and poverty dropped as grants reached millions. But since 2009, growth slowed, debt rose, and unemployment hit 33% by 2025, showing the shift Mbeki described.
Counter-Revolution and Political Interference
Mbeki blamed a “counter-revolution” starting in 2007 for derailing progress. He said apartheid agents infiltrated the ANC, rising to power and sabotaging policies. “The change that happened with the ANC leadership in 2007 was real change… It put in place in the leadership of the ANC people who were not ANC,” he claimed.
He linked this to failures like the national dialogue being blocked and youth not being prepared. Mbeki praised KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for speaking out on interference, urging others to tell the truth. “We have to overcome this fear of telling the truth about ourselves,” he said.
This echoes ongoing probes like the Ad Hoc Committee on police corruption, where Mkhwanazi alleged political meddling. Mbeki’s words add to calls for cleaning up the ANC and public service.
Reflections on Leadership and Truth-Telling
Mbeki praised Oliver Tambo as the “father of democracy” for his strategic thinking and unity-building. He said Tambo’s ability to outsmart enemies kept the ANC strong. In contrast, post-1994 leaders, including himself, got too busy with daily tasks to plan for the future.
He criticised Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s call to rethink “South Africa belongs to all who live in it”, saying it ignores Africa’s shared history. Mbeki argued borders won’t stop migration; instead, work with neighbours for solutions.
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