Mbeki's presidential library seeks to pin down a new narrative

Inspired by the legacies of US and African leaders, the library is intended to give context to issues that characterised the former presidents term.

Former president Thabo Mbeki's presidential library is intended to give context to issues that characterised his term in office. (Delwyn Verasamy, M&G)

Thabo Mbeki built a library so large and so complex only he could navigate it, writes author Stacy Hardy in A brief history of presidential libraries.

She writes of Mbekis ability to carry his books in his head, a library as reliable as the great archives of France, the United Kingdom and Russia.

Former president Thabo Mbekis presidential library will be constructed in three phases: the first is a miniature library in the Kgorong Building at Unisa Muckleneuk campus. The second phase involves the Unisa main library and is expected to open next year. The third phase will be the establishment of a facility to house the expanded library and museum.

This week, reporters were shown around a prototype of the library on the first floor of Kgorong building on Unisas main campus.

Dr Buhle Mbambo-Thata, the executive director and curator of the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library, or TMPL, said: TMPL [which she pronounced temple] is not a shrine for Thabo Mbeki but a place for us to share ideas, a living library to preserve the presence of the man.

Mbambo-Thata said the library was launched in September to commemorate heritage month and to celebrate Steve Bantu Biko, whose anniversary was four days before the launch.

This is where he can tell his story Mbekis presidency was marked by HIV and Aids denialism, neoliberal economic policies and his quiet diplomacy on Zimbabwe. With the establishment of the library, Mbeki wishes to place his political work within a larger context.

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Mbeki's presidential library seeks to pin down a new narrative