Trailblazer - Kgalema Motlanthe

Kgalema Motlanthe: A Trailblazer In Democracy, Advocacy and Education

By Jessie Taylor

Kgalema Motlanthe is one of South Africa’s most respected statesmen. A former trade-unionist, prisoner on Robben Island, ANC Secretary General, caretaker President and Deputy President, he has shaped South Africa’s democratic arc with calm authority, moral gravitas, and unwavering respect for the rule of law.

Even two decades after his presidency, Mr Motlanthe remains a moral and intellectual beacon, deepening Madiba’s legacy through his roles in foundation governance, international peacemaking, and youth development.

Upholding Madiba’s legacy

A prominent trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mr Motlanthe belongs to the vanguard of leaders upholding Madiba’s ethical legacy. The Foundation continues to strengthen democracy in South Africa through memory work, dialogue and justice initiatives. Mr Motlanthe’s trustee role highlights his commitment to speaking truth to power, preserving historical memory, and advancing socio-economic transformation within Madiba’s vision of a fair and inclusive South Africa.

As trustee of the Mandela Foundation, Motlanthe participates in memory-work that encourages healing, inclusivity and democratic discourse. His ongoing service exemplifies his own belief that remembering history is essential to confronting present injustices and shaping a more equitable polity.

He is no stranger to promoting socio-economic development. In 2015, after leaving office, Mr Motlanthe founded the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, of which he remains patron. The organisation’s motto, “Dialogue Among Equals”, reflects its mission: inclusive socio-economic development through digital-literacy programmes, youth leadership, civic engagement, and community upliftment.

This work amplifies his dedication to equal opportunity - a principle rooted in his years of struggle and his alignment with Mandela’s values of equality and dignity for all.

Mr Motlanthe was drawn into the liberation movement at a young age. After recruitment to Umkhonto we Sizwe and nearly a decade in prison, he emerged as a union leader who championed miners’ rights through education and improved wages. Elected ANC Secretary-General in 1997, he was elevated to Deputy President of the ANC in 2007, then stepped in as national President in 2008 during a turbulent leadership transition, and stabilised the nation as Deputy President from 2009 to 2014.

Continued Influence

Mr Motlanthe’s impact continues well beyond his governmental roles, with several high-profile engagements that underscore his relevance as a mediator of peace, advocate for education, and guardian of democratic values.

In March, Mr Motlanthe was appointed alongside former leaders such as Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia) to a panel of former heads of state to help mediate a settlement of the M23-driven insurgency in eastern DRC. The tensions in the region had escalated to humanitarian crisis levels, drawing strong regional and global concern.

In his role, Motlanthe contributes diplomatic gravitas and regional credibility to negotiations that aim to stabilise eastern DRC, de-escalate violence, and protect civilian populations. The ANC praised this appointment as recognition of South Africa’s constructive influence in Great Lakes politics. Through his inclusion in the DRC peace-mediation panel, Motlanthe demonstrates that former presidents can continue to exercise moral leadership and influence global peace-making processes. His approach reinforces diplomacy built on shared African agency—especially South Africa’s legitimacy as a peacemaker active across the continent.

In the same month, the University of Johannesburg conferred upon Mr Motlanthe an honorary Doctorate in Politics and International Relations. UJ ViceChancellor Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi applauded his lifelong dedication to governance, democracy, social justice, and especially education’s role as a catalyst for transformation. In his acceptance speech, Mr Motlanthe underlined the urgency of cultivating critical thinking and integrity amid the waves of digital manipulation that threaten democratic debate.

By combining the honourific platform of an honorary doctorate with real-world action through his foundation, Motlanthe highlights the interplay between intellectual empowerment and practical impact. His advocacy for critical thinking in the digital age tackles head-on the vulnerability of democracies to misinformation and authoritarian narratives.

Known as “Mkhuluwa” (elder brother), Mr Motlanthe is admired for consistency, humility, and principled leadership - even under pressure. His public demeanour conveys calm, foresight and integrity. From liberation activism to transitional governance, and now shaping continent-wide peace efforts and educational equity, his journey reflects an unwavering life of service across arenas.

Mr Motlanthe is more than a historical figure: he is an active trailblazer shaping South Africa’s and Africa’s future. From preserving Mandela’s legacy and advancing peace, his work reflects the same moral compass: one established on equal dignity, ethical leadership, and uncompromised democratic values.

Sources: Daily Maverick | Reuters | UJ | TimesLIVE | UNISA | Nelson Mandela Foundation