Johannesburg, (SA): The Thabo Mbeki Foundation founded by former South Africa’s former President, Thabo Mbeki, has refuted death reports of its founder saying the ex-president is alive and in good health.
The announcement refutes widespread reports circulating on social media, falsely claiming the demise of the prominent leader.
The statement released by the Foundation on Wednesday, January 3, categorically denied the false news, urging caution and responsible engagement with online information, particularly in the age of rampant misinformation.
“We urge the public to rely on official channels for accurate information about President Mbeki’s well-being and activities,” the statement emphasized.
This latest incident follows a recent surge of misinformation surrounding Mr Mbeki’s health. Various news outlets, reported his death, leading to erroneous updates on his Wikipedia page.
Thabo Mbeki, who succeeded Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa from 1999 to 2008, remains a respected figure for his intellectual leadership and his contributions to post-apartheid South Africa’s economic growth and stability.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation’s prompt response seeks to dispel any unwarranted concerns about the former president’s health and emphasizes the importance of accurate and responsible information dissemination.
This is not the first time that Thabo Mbeki has been the subject of false news reports.
In 2021, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, social media falsely claimed his demise, highlighting the need for vigilance and fact-checking in the era of rapidly circulating misinformation.
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