Quote

Our experience over the last 20 years has shown that indeed people must themselves become their own liberators. You cannot wait for somebody else to come and rescue you.

Thabo Mbeki

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Thabo Mbeki
Age: 82
Born: 1942
Born: June 18
Economist
Politician
South African Politician
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki
People
Last
Liberators
Experience
Rescue
Else
Shown
Cannot
Indeed
Become
Wait
Come
Somebody
Must
Waiting
Years
Lasts

More quotes by Thabo Mbeki

Image
I think anybody who knows anything about South Africa and the South African economy would know that one of the big constraints to growth and development is skills shortages. So all of us, need to come at this thing as vigorously as is possible and, of course, the private sector has the capacity to take it on board.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
If we only said safe sex, use a condom, we won't stop the spread of AIDS in this country.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
I get a sense that we've all been educated into one school of thought. I'm not surprised at all to find among the overwhelming majority of scientists, are people who would hold one particular view because that's all they're exposed to.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
With me, as a town clerk or city manager, there are certain things that I'm supposed to do - if I don't do them, then I don't deserve to continue in this post.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
The engagements with the International Investment Council have developed in a very interesting way. It is, again, the point I raised at the beginning.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
We have a series of regular meetings with South African business. Big business. Black business. Agriculture. As well, of course, with the trade unions. A whole series of meetings like that which engage issues that these South African social partners need to address.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
We should never become despondent because the weather is bad, nor should we turn triumphalist because the sun shines.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
I don't suppose I would describe myself as a showman.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
I must say also, that we are not talking just about foreign investors.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
There must be public servants who are working regularly among the people.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
Part of the issue around communal land, which became a matter of controversy, is that we are saying that this land must go back to communities. Not chiefs and traditional leaders.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
I don't think there would be many examples of South Africa pushing its weight around the African Continent. I don't think the facts would substantiate that argument.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
When will the day come that our dignity will be fully restored, when the purpose of our lives will no longer be merely to survive until the sun rises tomorrow!
Thabo Mbeki
Image
While the WTO negotiations will continue, there are other trade negotiations of a bilateral nature, which among other things, should help to open up these markets for South African products.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
The poor prey on one another because their lives offer no hope and communicate the tragic message to these human beings that they have no possibility to attain a decent standard of living.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
We need to increase the capacity we need to improve performance so that we are more effective at lending that kind of support.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
The people of Zimbabwe have a responsibility to ensure that the government that they elected behaves properly.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
I must say, with regard to Equatorial Guinea, the Government of Equatorial Guinea, as soon as they had arrested these people, sent a delegation here to say they are going to charge them because they have got sufficient information to say these people were planning to remove the Government of Equatorial Guinea by force.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
I think the Internet is absolutely extraordinary. It's very, very useful and I think one of the things we've got to do is make sure that the African continent gets on to that information super highway.
Thabo Mbeki
Image
We differ with the Israeli Government about a number of things, and they know that. In the past, I have discussed with Prime Minister [Ariel] Sharon these issues. The fact that we differ about something or the other shouldn't be a matter of strain.
Thabo Mbeki