“Craving His Economy”: South Africans Choose Which Former President Is More Attractive

• An X (formerly Twitter) user asked South Africans which of the two former presidents mentioned in their post they found more attractive
• The two men played significant roles during the apartheid era and were later democratically elected presidents
• Local social media users shared their opinions on who they found most attractive, with one man in particular winning people's hearts

A social media user named Sisa playfully split South Africans when they asked the nation to choose which of our former African National Congress (ANC) presidents was more attractive: Nelson Mandela or Thabo Mbeki?

Taking to their X account on 8 August, 2025, Sisa wrote on the social media platform:

"I don't think we're pitting men against each other enough as a country."

Three days later, Sisa shared pictures of Mandela and Mbeki in their youth and asked who won in the looks department.

Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki's presidencies

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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 18 July, 1918, was an anti-apartheid activist who served as South Africa's first democratically elected president from 1994 to 1999.

Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki served as the second democratic president of South Africa, serving two terms from 1999 to 2008. He resigned at the request of his political party.

South Africans share their choices

Several members of the online community went to the comment section to share who they found more attractive between the two former presidents. Mbeki won by a landslide, capturing many hearts not only with his looks but also with his leadership during his tenure.

@KoenaMalongoane humorously told people on the internet:

"Nelson is giving 'you will feel special,' but he will make others feel just as special. Thabo is giving 'you won't get enough of me, but I will ghost you to attend international conferences.'"

@EtherealWater told the online community:

"Mbeki. Even in his old age, he looks like someone you can give your kidney to."

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@hustlebunny wrote in the comment section:

"The poet, I’m afraid. I don’t know, maybe I’m just craving his economy."

@NotJustMyHair shared their opinion with South Africans:

"I'm going with Mbeki. No cheating allegations, and I get the feeling he's not going to take someone's daughter for a Popeye."

@Gugulove20 stated in the comments:

"Nelly M wins this one. Face, bone structure, height, and smile. He is by far the best-looking president we've ever had. Thabo is a distant second, but Nelly wins this round."

@Nondu__ added under the post:

"Putting two baddies against each other should be a crime, but I am afraid Mbeki is taking it."

Take a look at the X post below:

3 Other stories about former SA presidents

• Briefly News reported that former President Thabo Mbeki wrote a strongly worded letter regarding the Democratic Alliance's withdrawal from the National Dialogue. The letter brought mixed reactions from South Africans.
• The South African government slammed former President Jacob Zuma after he displaced the South African flag during his visit to Morocco.
• In March, the deceased President FW de Klerk's foundation rubbished President Donald Trump's claims about how Afrikaners are treated in the country.

Source: Briefly News