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_mboweniHe 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
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