2009/12/01 by Peter Vale, Georgina Barrett · 1 citation
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses #Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare #African studies and sociopolitical issues
paper · doi:10.1080/13569770903416521
openalex publication_date 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's second democratically elected president, was born into left-wing politics. In exile, he became the face of the African National Congress (ANC) and developed a reputation as a modernizer. He returned to the country and built relations, not with the ANC's internal allies, but with the country's business community. In 1996, as Mandela's deputy, Mbeki implemented a neo-liberal economic package, called GEAR, which alienated many. In office, he both failed to acknowledge the threat of HIV/AIDS to the country and refused to pressure the failing regime in Zimbabwe; but it was his bypassing of parliament that ultimately led to his failure as president.