By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former finance minister and Reserve Bank governor Dr Tito Titus Mboweni has died at the age of 65, his family confirmed.
Mboweni’s family announced his passing on Saturday night.
“It is with deep sadness that the Mboweni Family announces the passing of Tito,” read the statement.
“The family is devastated by Governor Mboweni’s passing after a short illness. He passed away in hospital in Johannesburg on Saturday night surrounded by his loved ones. The family requested privacy saying they were coming to terms with the enormous loss.”
“Further details will be released over the next few days.”
Mboweni became the first black governor of the SARB, succeeding Chris Stals in 1999 to serve for a decade. Before that, he served in Nelson Mandela’s cabinet as labour minister between 1994 and 1999.
Mboweni made a return to active politics in 2018 when President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him finance minister. He retired in August 2021.
Well-loved on X (Twitter), where he became infamous for his recipe posts – including a traditional, simple meal of tinned pilchards – he last posted a meal on 23 September, with the simple statement: “This is how it ended. I enjoyed them bones. Home-cooked meals are great.”
His death comes barely a month after the passing of another ANC freedom fighter titan, Pravin Gordhan, who also served as finance minister.
Tributes
African National Congress Secretary General, Fikile April Mbalula.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Comrade Tito Mboweni. His passing is a profound loss for South Africa, as he was a dedicated public servant who played a crucial role in shaping the countrys economic policies.
“As the former Minister of Finance and the first black Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Mboweni’s leadership, intellect, and unwavering commitment to the nation left an indelible mark on our country. His contributions to South Africa’s growth and stability will be remembered with gratitude,” he said.
Democratic Alliance (DA)
The Democratic Alliance is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Tito Mboweni at the age of 65, following a brief illness.
“Dr Mboweni’s legacy in South African politics is long and significant. He served as Minister of Labour in President Nelson Mandela’s cabinet, later becoming an astute and respected governor of the South African Reserve Bank. In 2018, he returned to public service as Minister of Finance in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet, where he was both dynamic and pragmatic in his approach to managing the country’s finances.
“Dr Mboweni was a steadfast opponent of corruption and consistently championed fiscal responsibility. He worked tirelessly to steer the economy toward growth while mitigating the impact of rising debt levels. He will be remembered as a patriot who stood for what was right, even in challenging times, and as a humble and principled man at heart.
“The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to Dr Mboweni’s family and loved ones. His passing is a profound loss for South Africa, and his contributions to strengthening democracy and improving the lives of all South Africans will not be forgotten.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa is deeply saddened by the passing of former Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and Labour and Finance Minister Dr Tito Mboweni.
He said: “Given his sense of vitality and energetic and affable engagement with fellow South Africans, Dr Mboweni’s passing at 65 comes as a shock.
“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.
“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’s culinary traditions.
Mboweni guided South Africa through turbulent economic times, advocating for fiscal restraint while often clashing with the ANC over issues of policy direction.
Parliament
Parliament’s presiding officers, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane expressed their heartfelt condolences on the passing of Mboweni in a joint statement.
“Dr Mboweni’s legacy will forever be remembered for his unwavering commitment to building a better South Africa. He was a patriot who believed in the potential of this nation, and his work has left an indelible mark on the country’s democratic and economic institutions,” reads the statement.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and comrades in the African National Congress. May his memory serve as a source of inspiration to us all, as we continue the work of building the South Africa he so tirelessly championed.”
Rwanda
Rwandan President Paul Kagame sends his “deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tito Mboweni, and to President Ramaphosa and the government and people of South Africa”.
“Tito Mboweni was a giant voice for Africa and a champion of continental integration. His counsel was invaluable in the effort of reforming the African Union, and in recent years he dedicated his energy to implementing the reform as chair of the AU Peace Fund. His legacy will live on for generations to come,” he posted on X.
[Thread] The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is deeply saddened by the passing of former Finance Minister and Governor no. 8 Mr Tito Mboweni.
Mr. Mboweni guided South Africa through periods of great uncertainty with a steady hand on the economy during the Global Financial… pic.twitter.com/uiRbF4p2Z1— SA Reserve Bank (@SAReserveBank) October 13, 2024
ActionSA
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba expressed his party’s condolences on Mboweni’s passing.
“As someone who has actively taken part in events leading to the end of apartheid, the ushering of the democratic era and, in his own unique ways, in often pushing back against the excesses of his own comrades in favour of reason, it is safe to say that Mr Mboweni has lived a full life of an activist for good,” said Mashaba.
Discovery Health
Discovery Group chief executive Adrian Gore paid tribute to former finance minister Tito Mboweni on Sunday morning, hailing his “massive impact”.
News of Mboweni’s death broke late on Saturday, following a short illness. He was 65.
“We are devastated by the passing of Tito Mboweni,” Gore told News24. “He was a senior board member of Discovery and a close friend.
“Tito had a massive impact on our country, our business, and on me.”