From Nelson Mandela to Steve Biko; here are four top South African politicians the Xhosa ethnic group produced

Thabo Mbeki

With Nelson Mandela declining a second presidential term, his deputy, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki also a Xhosa succeeded him in 1999. Mbeki born June 18, 1942 ruled from June 1999 till September 24, 2008. On 20 September 2008, with about nine months left in his second term, Mbeki was forced to resign for unjustly stoking the prosecution of Jacob Zuma for corruption. Zuma eventually succeeded him as president.

Under his watch, the South African economy grew at an average rate of 4.5% per year, he implemented the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) to help give opportunities and lift blacks from poverty. He was the architect of NEPAD whose aim is to develop an integrated socio-economic development framework for Africa. He served as mediator in various sticky situations between African states.

RELATED STORIES

Inside ancient Egypt’s 'Book of the Dead' that reveals the trials the dead goes through during the passage to the afterlife

The ritual murders of albinos in parts of Africa: 6 things you need to know about the cultural beliefs

How has former refugee turned activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali managed to make so many people angry?

Here’s why Swaziland’s Ngwenya Mine is considered the world's oldest with Africans mining it 43,000 years ago

Mbeki was born and raised in Mbewuleni, Cape Province, Union of South Africa, to Epainette and Govan Mbeki. He is a native Xhosa speaker. His parents were both teachers and activists in a rural area of strength to the African National Congress.