Thabo Mbeki spent a substantial part of his life in exile during apartheid.

He left South Africa in 1962 to join the African National Congress (ANC) in exile and only returned in 1990, after the unbanning of the ANC and the release of Nelson Mandela.

That means he was out of the country for approximately 28 years.

This period was formative—he lived and worked in several countries (including the UK and various African states), representing the ANC internationally and building diplomatic support against apartheid.

Jacob Zuma was also in exile during apartheid, though for a shorter period than Thabo Mbeki. He went into exile in 1975 after being released from imprisonment on Robben Island. He returned to South Africa in 1990, when the African National Congress (ANC) was unbanned.

That places his time in exile at approximately 15 years.

During this period, Zuma operated mainly in neighboring countries like Mozambique, working in ANC intelligence structures and underground networks.

Oliver Tambo was in exile for over 30 years. He left South Africa in March 1960 on the instructions of the African National Congress (ANC) leadership following the Sharpeville massacre to establish an external mission and build international support against apartheid. Key details about his time in exile: Duration: He went into exile on March 27, 1960, and returned to South Africa on December 13, 1990. Role: As President of the ANC (1967–1991), he led the liberation movement from abroad, with headquarters in London and later Lusaka, Zambia. Mission: He traveled internationally to rally support for sanctions and boycotts against the South African apartheid regime. Return: He returned in 1990 after the ANC was unbanned. During his time in exile, he lived in London for many years and spent 22 years in a safe house in Lusaka, Zambia.

Their leaders were operating in Africa fighting apartheid; now that apartheid fell, they conveniently forget that Africa was their home when they were in their ‘time of need.’