Thabo Mbeki was born in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa on June 18, 1942. Mbeki's father played a leading role in the activities of the African National Congress ( ANC). Mbeki's parents were always trying to improve conditions in their community and participated in programs aimed at providing food to the poor. Consequently, he joined several student political organizations, including the African National Congress Youth League at the age of 14. He completed his studies at home when a strike in 1959 led to his expulsion and ended his studies at Lovedale Academy. Then he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he became secretary of the African Students' Association (ASA). He also met Nelson Mandela for the first time. Mandela advised Mbeki to continue his studies outside South Africa. As a result, Mbeki went to London and enrolled at the University of Sussex and obtained a master's degree in economics ("Thabo Mbeki"; "PROFILE OF FORMER PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI"). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Mbeki left London and traveled to Zambia in April 1971 to take up his post as deputy secretary of the ANC Revolutionary Council. A few months after arriving in Zambia, Mbeki made his first speech on behalf of the ANC at the YSS summer school. The speech, A Dream Deferred, motivated many people to fight against apartheid. During the 1980s, Mbeki became head of the Department of Information and Publicity and organized numerous strategic campaigns intended to involve more white South Africans in anti-apartheid activities. Thabo Mbeki gave a speech calling for alliances to fight apartheid, which was broadcast on numerous radio and television stations. In 1989, Mbeki became head of the ANC's international affairs department and was involved in the ANC's negotiations with the ruling government during the 1990s to end apartheid ("Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki”; “Thabo Mbeki”). Thabo Mbeki played a very important role. role in the fight against apartheid. In fact, he may be the most prominent anti-apartheid leader alive. From a young age he was very active in student politics and played a leading role in establishing the youth and student sections of the ANC in Exile. Back in Lusaka, he became political secretary in Oliver Tambo's office, then director of information. In this position, he played an important role in attracting international media attention and turning them against apartheid. Obtaining the support of the world press was arguably the most important event that ended apartheid in South Africa. This event made most of the world aware of apartheid and the massacres that took place because of apartheid. Consequently, a wide variety of political organizations began negotiations with the ruling National Party to end apartheid ("Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki”).