Africa must confront its challenges, says President Mbeki in historic address at Nkrumah Hall
By Zamda George, CMU
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki delivered a powerful and thought-provoking lecture at the University of Dar es Salaam on 21 May 2025, urging Africa to harness its own capacity to confront the continent's enduring challenges.
The address, delivered at the historic Nkrumah Hall ahead of the 15th Annual Africa Day Lecture, drew students, scholars, alumni, and dignitaries into a critical dialogue on leadership, governance, socio-economic transformation, and Pan-African solidarity.
“Africa’s future will not be written in foreign capitals. It must be authored by Africans—through our own intellect, innovation, and united resolve. We either rise together or remain divided and dependent”, President Mbeki declared, earning wide applause from a hall packed with future leaders and seasoned statesmen alike.
He emphasised the urgency for African countries to invest strategically in education, innovation, and intellectual capital as the foundation for economic growth and self-reliance.
Alongside him, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Chancellor of the University and former President of Tanzania, echoed the call for an African rebirth, one driven by a new generation and grounded in unity, good governance, and sustainable development.
President Kikwete, himself an alumnus of UDSM, reflected affectionately on the historic ties between Tanzania and South Africa. “This gathering is a renewal of the liberation spirit for a new generation,” he said, applauding Mbeki’s lifelong commitment to African unity.
He challenged African leaders to move beyond rhetoric and prioritise bold, systemic reforms across political and educational spheres.
UDSM commitment to intellectual engagement
The event—jointly organised by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, UONGOZI Institute, University of South Africa (UNISA), and UDSM, formed part of the annual commemoration of Africa Day, marking the founding of the Organization of African Unity (now African Union). It was also a celebration of UDSM’s enduring role in intellectual engagement and continental dialogue.
Welcoming participants, Vice Chancellor Prof. William A. L. Anangisye highlighted the significance of hosting the forum at Nkrumah Hall—a sacred space in the Pan-African movement.
“President Mbeki’s presence here is not only a historic moment; it reaffirms our university’s legacy as a crucible of critical thought and Pan-African advancement,” he stated.
Mr. Kadari Singo, CEO of UONGOZI Institute, underscored the need to cultivate leaders grounded in ethics, integrity, and strategic vision. “Leadership in Africa must not only be knowledgeable—it must be ethical and transformative”.
Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a South African academic and host of “PowerTalk” on Power FM 98.7, issued a powerful call for youth to challenge inherited ideologies. “We must interrogate the meanings of liberation that we have inherited and go beyond the symbols to material transformation”.
Ambassador Azizi Mlima of UONGOZI Institute and Prof. Anthoni van Nieuwkerk of UNISA both expanded the dialogue, calling for deeper regional integration, ethical governance, and peace-building based on locally informed, research-driven strategies.
“Africa’s future cannot be secured through military might alone. We must invest in ideas, institutions, and people,” Prof. van Nieuwkerk emphasised.
Youth voices take centre stage
One of the event’s highlights was a dynamic exchange between the youths and panelists. UDSM students Ms. Olivia Pesha and Ms. Careen Ndika raised incisive questions on youth roles in governance and innovation, prompting engaged responses from Mr. Simon Shayo, an alumnus and sustainability expert.
Their questions also reached President Mbeki, who acknowledged the vital importance of intergenerational dialogue. “Young people must not only demand answers, they must be prepared to build them,” he said.
PhD candidate Mr. Sabatho Nyamsenda echoed this call, declaring, “Youth also have answers to today’s challenges for a better tomorrow.” His intervention resonated powerfully across the room, underscoring the event’s spirit of empowerment and awakening.
Reawakening the African dream
As the evening closed and the sun set over Mwl. Julius Nyerere Mlimani Campus, the mood in Nkrumah Hall was electric, not only with reflection, but with resolve.
The Town Hall was more than a ceremonial event; it was a clarion call to action and a bold step forward in reimagining Africa’s political, economic, and intellectual destiny.
The African Renaissance, as the event affirmed, is not a distant dream, it is alive in the voices that question, the minds that reflect, and the leaders willing to act.