Home » WATCH ‘I Am An African’ Poem by Former South African President Thabo Mbeki

WATCH ‘I Am An African’ Poem by Former South African President Thabo Mbeki

As former South African and ANC president, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, turns 76 today (18 June 2018), it seems a perfect opportunity to listen again to his mesmerising tribute to Africa, “I Am An African”. Mbeki delivered his eloquent speech poem in Cape Town on 8 May 1996, on the passing of the new Constitution of South […]

18-06-18 18:17

As former South African and ANC president, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, turns 76 today (18 June 2018), it seems a perfect opportunity to listen again to his mesmerising tribute to Africa, “I Am An African”.

Source: FB/Thabo Mbeki

Mbeki delivered his eloquent speech poem in Cape Town on 8 May 1996, on the passing of the new Constitution of South Africa. At the time he was vice-president of South Africa, before becoming president of the country in 1999.

Today the African National Congress (ANC) wished Mbeki a “wonderful birthday” and said it will “eternally appreciate former President Mbeki’s unrelenting allegiance to the ANC as well as selflessly giving of himself to the AU [African Union] and other multilaterals when called on to provide wisdom in conflict ridden countries as their envoy.”

There’s possibly no tribute that sums up the beauty, history and diversity of the majestic African continent better than Mbeki’s words. Listen below…

“I Am An African” Poem by Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa

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Read the transcript of “I am an African” poem by Thabo Mbeki

Listen to Thabo Mbeki’s full ‘I Am An African’ speech