RIP Tito Mboweni: Ramaphosa expresses sorrow over the death of former SARB governor
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that former finance minister Tito Mboweni was highly focused on maintaining fiscal discipline and driving economic transformation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that South Africa has lost a dedicated leader and fellow countryman with the death of former finance minister and MP Tito Mboweni.
Mboweni’s family confirmed his untimely death on Saturday, 12 October.
RAMAPHOSA MOURNS THE PASSING OF TITO MBOWENI
In a statement, Mboweni’s family said the 65-year-old passed away at a Johannesburg hospital following a short illness.
Following the announcement, Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the former South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor’s family and friends.
The president said Mboweni’s passing at 65 is a shock given his vitality and energetic and affable engagement with fellow South Africans.
“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,” the president said.
Further, Ramaphosa said Tito Mboweni distinguished himself in different strategic roles in the private sector and was a flag bearer in global forums for our economy and developing economies more broadly.
“He conducted himself with expert rigour while maintaining the personable touch that made him a social media star and ambassador for Modjadjiskloof culinary traditions. His passing is a great loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
HIS BRIEF HISTORY
Mboweni was South Africa’s first minister of labour post-apartheid from 1994 – 1999.
Before his appointment as labour minister, Mboweni was deputy head of economic policy in the African National Congress (ANC) from 1990 to 1994 and head of the ANC policy department from 1994 to 1998. He also represented the former ruling party on several domestic and international platforms.
He served as Governor of the South African Reserve Bank from 1999 – 2009.
From 2018 to 2021, Mboweni also served as Minister of Finance in the administration led by President Ramaphosa.
Apart from that, Mboweni has held many prestigious accolades and honourable positions at multiple higher education institutions in South Africa.
Additionally, he was awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN), University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of Cape Town (UCT), University of Stellenbosch, and University of East Anglia (England).