Tributes continue to pour in on passing of Tito Mboweni.

Tributes continue to pour in for former finance minister and Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni. Mboweni died at the age of 65 on Saturday night following a short illness.

COURTESY: X - @tito_mboweni

He was the first minister of labour in a democratic South Africa, from 1994 to 1999. Mobweni then served as governor of the South African Reserve Bank for a decade from 1999. From 2018 to 2021, Mboweni served as minister of finance.

Condolences are streaming in following the announcement of his death.

President Ramaphosa said he is "deeply saddened" by Mboweni's passing and described his death as a "great loss".

“We have lost a leader and compatriot who has served our nation as an activist, economic policy innovator and champion of labour rights. As governor and finance minister, he had a sharp focus on fiscal discipline and economic transformation… He conducted himself with expert rigour while maintaining the personable touch that made him a social media star and ambassador for Modjadjiskloof’s culinary traditions," said Ramaphosa.

We lost a true South African Icon💔🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/SXuKPC8AW7

— Lucky Star (@LuckyStarSA) October 13, 2024

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) hailed him for the role he was renowned for — South Africa's first black governor, a position he held for a decade from 1999 to 2009. The bank said he was a passionate central banker and played a key role in building the Sarb into the professional, formidable and purposeful organisation it is today.

The ANC described Mboweni's life as "a testament to a [one] lived in sacrifice, dedication, and selfless service to the people of South Africa”.

"Comrade Tito will be remembered not only for his immense contributions to the economy, but also for his unwavering connection to the people he served. His legacy of dedication, innovation, and service will remain a guiding light for generations to come,’’ said Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, ANC national spokesperson.

The GOOD party says the country has lost a great inspirational leader.

‘’Under Mboweni’s leadership, the nation’s budget largely succeeded in navigating the very fine line between bare economic survival and the fiscal cliff. He navigated the country’s finances during the Covid-19 pandemic, making provisions for the much-needed vaccination drive and the Social Relief of Distress Grant,’’ said Patricia De Lille, GOOD leader.

‘’His leadership as Minister of Labour during the transition out of apartheid formed the foundation of the labour laws that benefit so many today. As South Africans, we are grateful for his service. His commitment to the country will never be forgotten. May his aloe ferox plant live on and his soul rest in peace,’’ she added.

The EFF also expressed its condolences. The party said while it often found itself at odds with Mboweni on policy matters — disagreeing with his neoliberal and orthodox approach to economic policy — and engaged in heated debates with him, he was always open to robust, frank and intellectual exchanges.

“Despite our differences, he did not shy away from engaging in rigorous debate. Notably, Dr Mboweni advocated for the creation of a state-owned bank, a sovereign wealth fund and the nationalisation of the South African Reserve Bank, as articulated in one of his social media posts that became a defining point in our debates with him, which came as a surprise,” the EFF said in a statement.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) says Mobweni’s passing comes as a ‘shock’

‘’Whilst COSATU sparred with comrade Mboweni many a time during his tenure at Treasury and the SARB, we never doubted his integrity or principles.  He was part of a generation of leadership who showed that one could occupy the highest echelons of power and not fall prey to the temptation to loot.  Mboweni was forthright in his views and where he agreed, he would acknowledge, and where he disagreed, he would be honest and say why.  He relished a debate and was keen to play his role as an elder statesman in a society battling to find its place,’’ said Matthew Parks(COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator).

‘’Despite our robust engagements and disagreements, we respect and appreciate the historic role he played as the democratic South Africa’s first Minister for Labour where he played a key role in putting in place the many progressive labour laws that today enshrine millions of workers’ rights to form trade unions, collective bargaining and to strike, that set minimum conditions for service and protect the rights of the most vulnerable and exploited.  He was a founding father to Nedlac, our statutory social dialogue forum where government, labour and business have been able to craft wide ranging solutions and interventions to many of society’s formidable socio-economic challenges, in particular those affecting the working class,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George