Trevor Manuel could be next head of the IMF

Trevor Manuel – South Africa’s former Minister of Finance – has been suggested as a potential candidate for the recently (and sensationally!) vacated position of head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Trevor would replace disgraced French minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn who resigned last night following his arrest and charges at the weekend that he raped a maid at his hotel in New York. Strauss-Kahn vehemently denies the charges but resigned late last night “with infinite sadness” in an attempt to “protect this institution”.

Trevor currently heads SA’s National Planning Commission, a position he took up after being Minister of Finance from 1996 to 2009.

Born in 1956, Mr Manuel is the right age for the position. Rules state that the candidate has to be under 65.

Traditionally the role has gone to someone from Europe, but there is pressure for this to change, particularly since developing countries are playing a more crucial role in the global economy. However, many people believe Mr Manuel would be even better suited to a position in the World Bank which fights poverty.

Other candidates for the IMB role include those from Brazil, Canada, Mexico, France (a woman this time, which would make her the first woman in charge of the IMF), Germany, Turkey, and…France again (but a woman this time, which would make her the first woman in charge of the IMF).