The ANCYL extended good wishes to Mbeki on his 70th birthday in a news statement.

"As president of the ANC, Cde Mbeki has led the collective charge for the renewed development of the African continent, notably through the African Renaissance and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad)," the ANCYL said in the statement.

It said South Africa's development was intricately linked to the development of Africa.

"We commend Cde Thabo Mbeki's continuing commitment to the development of African leadership in particular and the role he continues to play towards the attainment of the Freedom Charter demand that 'South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and the settlement of all international disputes by negotiation -- not war'."

The ANCYL called on South Africa to use its membership of BRICS -- the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa economic alliance -- to benefit not only South Africa and its partners, but also the rest of Africa.

The league did not officially extend birthday wishes to President Jacob Zuma on his 70th birthday on April 12.

Mbeki was defeated by Zuma in the December 2007 leadership race in Polokwane, following intense campaigning for Zuma by the ANCYL.