Former president Thabo Mbeki says the global economic downturn and the current wave of globalisation could lead to what he calls "social anarchy".

He was speaking at Wits University.

Mbeki said the issue of leadership was crucial to Africa's development but said he was worried about the current situation.

"With a troubled world economy and rapid advances in technology, science and globalisation, we now have the makings of social anarchy that threatens the very foundations of our social purpose," said Mbeki.