Veteran African National Congress (ANC) leader Tony Yengeni has publicly criticized the Thabo Mbeki Foundation for meeting with a United States Embassy official. Yengeni accused the foundation of working against South Africa’s interests by aligning with foreign powers.
Yengeni, a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee, expressed his strong disapproval on social media. He wrote, “We are in big trouble… Look at who Mbeki is meeting,” after the foundation posted about the meeting. The discussion with the US official reportedly focused on governance, democracy, and international cooperation.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, led by former President Thabo Mbeki, regularly holds dialogues with both local and international groups. A spokesperson said the meeting was part of its normal work to encourage collaboration on important issues.
Yengeni’s reaction highlights a deep division within the ANC regarding how South Africa should interact with Western nations. A faction of the party, which includes many veterans, is deeply suspicious of Western influence. They argue that such engagements could be an attempt to interfere in South Africa’s politics and undermine its independence.
Political analysts note that this distrust stems from the Cold War era, when the ANC’s struggle against apartheid was supported by nations like Russia, China, and Cuba.
Thabo Mbeki is generally seen as a pragmatic leader who believes in engaging with all international partners to advance Africa’s development. His foundation has a long history of working on diplomacy and conflict resolution across the continent.
The foundation has not directly responded to Yengeni’s comments. Supporters of Mbeki’s approach argue that open dialogue with countries like the US is essential for South Africa’s democracy and global influence.
This public disagreement reveals the ongoing ideological tensions within the ANC. It underscores the party’s struggle to balance international engagement with a deep-seated caution against foreign influence, a debate that continues to shape South Africa’s foreign policy.