By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Duncan Pieterse as the new director-general of the National Treasury.
Pieterse was a frontrunner for the role, which was vacant since June 2022.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed Pieterse’s appointment during a media briefing on Thursday.
Cabinet also approved other director-general appointments.
Thathakahle Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani was appointed as the director-general of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
Qinisile Precious Delwa was appointed deputy director-general: enterprise development and entrepreneurship at the Department of Small Business Development.
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana welcomed the appointment, which will be in place for five years.
“I believe Duncan has more than enough experience, expertise, and chutzpah to make a success of this new challenge.”
Top management and staff welcomed the appointment of Pieterse. Acting DG Ismail Momoniat, who has been acting in the role since June 2022 when former director-general Dondo Mogajane left, said the “baton of leadership is now moving to a younger generation.”
Pieterse has a Bachelor of Business Science, Master’s in Public administration from Harvard University, and a Doctor of Philosophy, amongst others.
He is currently the Deputy Director-General of Asset and Liability Management and previously served as a Deputy Director-General of Economic Policy. He joined the department in 2013 and has worked in various positions over the last 10 years.
Godongwana said the DG is central to shaping the fiscal policies, economic direction, and financial stability of the country.
“The Director-General provides strategic leadership to the department, guides its organisational structure, and manages a team of experts who handle various aspects of financial management, economic analysis, and policy formulation.”
Godongwana thanked all those who had applied for the position and commended Momoniat for his leadership “as a true and dedicated servant” of the department and the country.