Former President Thabo Mbeki Warns Against Blaming Immigrants
Lecture Highlights and Interview Remarks
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki spoke after delivering the keynote address at the 16th Thabo Mbeki Annual Lecture in Cape Town. In an interview with the SABC, he stressed that anti‑immigrant sentiment and the nation’s unemployment crisis should not be blamed on foreign nationals.
Africa Needs Unity to Thrive
Mbeki emphasized that the continent cannot fulfill its global responsibilities unless African countries stay united. He warned that growing fragmentation weakens each nation’s ability to achieve true sovereignty.
Lessons from Past Expulsions
He referenced comments by Nigerian guest speaker Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who noted that attempts to solve unemployment by expelling foreign workers have failed in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria. Mbeki said those actions “solved nothing” and warned that South Africa is repeating the same mistake.
Economic Ties Across the Continent
Mbeki pointed out that South Africa’s economy depends on regional cooperation. He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a chance to boost trade, but warned that hostility toward other African nationals could lead to boycotts of South African goods, hurting the local economy.
Unemployment and Crime Are Real Concerns
While acknowledging that citizens rightly worry about joblessness and crime, Mbeki rejected the idea that undocumented foreigners are the root cause. He argued that the real problems lie in domestic economic failures, governance gaps, and a lack of a coordinated plan between government, business, labor, and civil society.
Call for a National Dialogue
Mbeki urged the creation of a national dialogue that brings together all sectors of society to diagnose the country’s economic challenges. He noted that South Africa has seen periods of declining unemployment in the past, but the shift after 2009 has never been properly examined.
“There is no national vision about what it is that we do practically to solve the problem of unemployment,” he said.
He insisted that only through open discussion and a shared “compact with business” can the country develop practical solutions to poverty and joblessness.
Conclusion
Thabo Mbeki’s message is clear: blaming immigrants distracts from the urgent need for internal reforms and continental cooperation. By focusing on unity, honest self‑assessment, and collaborative action, South Africa can address its economic woes and strengthen its role on the African and global stages.
