On 12 September 2025, the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs (TM-School) at Unisa hosted its biannual dialogue with Unisa’s Chancellor and Former President, Dr Thabo Mbeki, where he shared his thoughts on a range of geopolitical and socio-economic issues affecting the African continent.

This year marks five years since the TM-School is celebrated both as a school dedicated to solving Africa’s complex problems post-colonisation, and in providing an enriching and candid platform centred on critical world affairs affecting the African continent.

Assessing the elements of self-interest

The panellists comprising Seipati Mokhema, Rachel Malope and Omolemo Moroke, asked questions around South Africa’s involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) conflict against the M23 rebel group, maintenance of peace, security and stability, and the deficiencies caused by the unassertiveness to actualise the well-researched and invested polices.

Panel discussants, from left: Seipati Mokhema, Omolemo Moroke and Rachel Malope

In his response, Mbeki said that over the past few years, South Africa has gradually shifted away from the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Elaborating, he stated: "There is a new world order that is emerging, which centres around the pursuit of self-interest; thus, each country is now preoccupied with its own domestic challenges. Therefore, it is no surprise that the United States is driven by this agenda, imposing tariffs and other measures in the pursuit of its people."

Continuing, Mbeki emphasised that while each country is within its right to pursue self-interest, they must be guided by respect for multipolarity, multilateralism, particularly exercised through the United Nations (UN), and the respect for the UN’s Charter. Further, Mbeki highlighted that Africans must come together and play a pivotal role in the emerging world order.

Mbeki also said: "The Congo conflict has been ongoing for years, and its government and the M23 have recently met in Qatar. If you do not understand the origins of the M23 and what it stands for, then it would be difficult to understand why DRC conflict is in this current state."

Peace, security and policy implementation

Mbeki remarked that peace and security on the continent is attached to Pan-Africanism. He explained that oftentimes when wars erupt, they are intervened and mediated with the emergence of a new constitution and new elections – and that constitutes peace. However, Mbeki contested that these processes do not resolve the root cause of the problem, but eventually leave a void filled with further complex conflict.  

"Employing a Pan-African outlook to identify the root cause that gave rise to groups such as the M23, would propel peace and stability," said Mbeki. "For example, if these are a result of ethnic power, then the topic of unity in diversity must be at the core."

Additionally, Mbeki remarked that Africa has no policy shortage targeted at youth empowerment and development, among others, but lack the mechanisms to implement them. He explained: "The right policies exist, however, there is a lack of will for implementation." Sharing the TM-School’s goals, Mbeki shared that they look at the root cause of what hinders the actioning of the expertly drafted policies, among others.

Unshaken by geopolitics undriven by common good

In his message of support, President of Unisa’s National Student Representative Council, Nkosinathi Mabilane, said that amidst the turmoil caused by the current shifts in geopolitics and wars, including the challenges imposed by the United States of cutting funding and implementing tariffs, Africa remains resilient. He further explained: "While the White House tried to dictate South Africa’s policies and punished us for our support of the Palestinians, today, we are proud to quote Mbeki for leading the Pan-African agenda in his acclaimed speech I am an African." For Mabilane, that sparked a deep patriotic and cultural revolution in South Africa, and that Africa does not lack ontologically, epistemologically and politically. "We are truly grateful for your statesmanship as we continue to draw from your wisdom and knowledge. We remain obstinate in the pursuit of a just and equitable society, despite the ongoing assault on South Africa’s policies aimed at redressing the hallmarks of apartheid," said Mabilane.

Nkosinathi Mabilane, President of Unisa’s National Student Representative Council

Mabilane further emphasised that the National Dialogue must live up to its mandate, that it must be simon-pure, grassroot-led and driven by people from various social spheres devoid of social stratum towards addressing unemployment, socio-economic disparities, crime, gender-based violence and a lack of access to higher education.

Also, Mabilane applauded the government for revoking its decision on mandating higher education institutions to report student debt to credit bureaus. "You cannot blacklist the future. You cannot criminalise poverty, nor condemn children of the working class for seeking education in order to better their lives, families and societies."

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Mbeki, a sanguine African in pursuit of Africa’s aspirations

Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Puleng LenkaBula, applauded the participants of the dialogue, and hailed the platform as a pivotal stage in shaping knowledge. She highlighted: "It provides the opportunity to imagining the future and serves as a public podium for honesty, openness, and to contest narratives that are not life affirming." Concluding, the VC commended Mbeki: "Not only did you fight for the liberation of our country, but also for the liberation of all Africans. Your altruistic vision is continuously demonstrated by your non-stop pursuit to see a prosperous Africa."

*By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

**Photography by Mduduzi Khathamzi, Unisa Multimedia Centre