ANCYL congratulates President Mbeki - the African of the Year 2012

The ANC Youth League congratulates President Mbeki for being bestowed the 2012 Daily Trust African of the Year Award.

The award is an affirmation of the tenacity of President Mbeki's resolve to attain our vision of a better Africa and a better world, even in the midst of the many challenges we still face as Africans. We pay tribute to President Mbeki for the important work he is doing in the continent, especially in Sudan.

The award further highlights the importance of ethical leadership in Africa. President Mbeki, working together with former Presidents of Burundi and Nigeria Pierre Buyoya and Abdulsalami Abubakar respectively, has displayed integrity and outstanding leadership in the course of performing his role.

Africa must still engage in such critical matters as our perspectives on democracy and how these are applied within an African context for African prosperity; indeed working to strengthen our institutions of democracy for peace and stability throughout the continent. Much more work too still needs to be done in education, youth employment, eradication of poverty and underdevelopment and the emancipation of women.

We therefore make a call to our leaders from all walks of life to emulate this distinguished son of the continent by working tirelessly to improve the conditions of the African masses.

Statement issued by the African National Congress Youth League, November 11 2012

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