Thabo Mbeki

Thabo Mbeki was the second President of the Republic of South Africa. He assumed office in 1999, after the departure of the first president, Nelson Mandela. Mbeki has been a member of the African National Congress (ANC) political party since he was a child.

After charges against Mbeki's political rival Jacob G. Zuma were dropped in September 2008, Mbeki was forced to resign his presidency, accused of engineering the corruption charges. In January 2009, the decision to drop the charges against Zuma was overturned.New York Times: Zuma Faces New Charges After Ruling (January 12, 2009)

The Mbeki family has historically been involved in political activism. His grandfather and both parents were dedicated members of the African National Congress and encouraged their children to participate in political action from an early age. Mbeki reportedly joined the ANC at age 14. He spent 28 years in exile abroad and earned a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Sussex. He returned to South Africa after Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990.

Mbeki's administration has focused on establishing South Africa's legitimacy and respectability in foreign affairs. To do so, Mbeki has strengthened the country's role as arbiter and mediator in both military and political conflicts throughout Africa. As a trained economist, Mbeki has also sought to stabilize the national economy.

Thabo Mbeki's political rival and former ally Jacob G. Zuma was tried for corruption charges in 2008. In September 2008, those charges were dropped. After a judge suggested that Mbeki was involved in manipulating the justice system to persecute Zuma, African National Congress leaders pressed Mbeki to step down.News24: Why Mbeki was fired (September 21, 2008) Mbeki's resignation was accepted by Deputy President Baleka Mbete on September 21, 2008. Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the African National Congress, assumed the presidency on September 25, 2008, and an election was tentatively scheduled for March, April or May 2009.New York Times: Zuma Faces New Charges After Ruling (January 12, 2009)

On January 11, 2009, an appellate court threw out the decision that exonerated Jacob Zuma. Whether charges will be filed again against Zuma is unclear; but as head of the ANC, Zuma is almost certain to win election to the presidency in the 2009 elections.New York Times: Zuma Faces New Charges After Ruling (January 12, 2009)