Meaning: The quote "Mbeki began to write a study of the workings of apartheid policy in the reserves - the areas set aside in law for African occupation - as early as 1959 and 1960" by Ruth First, highlights the early intellectual and activist work of Thabo Mbeki, a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. Ruth First, a South African anti-apartheid activist and journalist, played a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement and her words shed light on Mbeki's early engagement with the apartheid regime's policies and their impact on African communities.

Thabo Mbeki, who would later become the President of South Africa from 1999 to 2008, was deeply involved in the struggle against apartheid from a young age. The quote suggests that Mbeki's intellectual and analytical approach to understanding apartheid and its impact on African communities began well before he became a prominent political figure. It also indicates his commitment to understanding the complexities of apartheid policies and their effects on the lives of those living in the designated reserves.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, South Africa was in the grip of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. The reserves, also known as Bantustans or homelands, were designated areas where the apartheid government forcibly relocated black South Africans, often disrupting their lives and livelihoods. These areas were characterized by poverty, limited resources, and restricted opportunities, perpetuating the marginalization and oppression of the African population.

Mbeki's decision to study the workings of apartheid policy in the reserves reflects his early recognition of the need to critically analyze and expose the injustices perpetuated by the apartheid regime. His engagement with this subject matter demonstrates a deep understanding of the structural inequalities and systemic oppression that defined apartheid South Africa.

Ruth First's attribution of this early study to Mbeki underscores the significance of his intellectual and academic contributions to the anti-apartheid movement. Mbeki's efforts to document and understand the impact of apartheid policies on African communities were integral to the broader struggle for justice and equality in South Africa.

Mbeki's study of apartheid policy in the reserves also points to the importance of knowledge production and intellectual inquiry in challenging oppressive systems. By examining and documenting the workings of apartheid, Mbeki sought to expose the underlying mechanisms of oppression and contribute to the intellectual resistance against apartheid.

Furthermore, the quote by Ruth First serves as a reminder of the multifaceted nature of the anti-apartheid struggle. While political activism and resistance were crucial components, the intellectual and academic work undertaken by individuals like Thabo Mbeki played a vital role in shaping the discourse around apartheid and mobilizing international solidarity.

In conclusion, Ruth First's quote sheds light on Thabo Mbeki's early engagement with the study of apartheid policies in the reserves, highlighting his commitment to understanding and exposing the injustices perpetuated by the apartheid regime. It underscores the significance of intellectual contributions to the anti-apartheid movement and emphasizes the role of critical analysis and knowledge production in challenging oppressive systems. Thabo Mbeki's early intellectual work laid the foundation for his later leadership in the struggle against apartheid and his presidency in post-apartheid South Africa.