Former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni.
The Small Business Institute (SBI), has paid tribute to former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni who passed away on Saturday aged 65, as a champion of freedom and social justice.
Mboweni was the democratic South Africa’s first Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1999 in the Cabinet of Founding President Nelson Mandela.
He served as Governor of the South African Reserve Bank for a decade from 1999.
From 2018 to 2021, Dr Mboweni served as Minister of Finance in the administration led by President Ramaphosa.
John Dludlu, SBI’s CEO said It was with great shock that the SBI learned of the passing of Mboweni.
“On behalf of SBI and its various stakeholders, we convey our condolences to the Mboweni family during the time of their loss. They remain in our prayers at this difficult time,” said Dludlu.
“We were looking forward to his post-politics contribution to our country’s renewal through the private sector and civil society.”
Dludlu said the country’s workers owe Mboweni a debt of gratitude for ‘formulating the most progressive labour relations regime (Labour Relations, Employment Equity and Basic Conditions of Employment Acts) after apartheid’.
“We fondly remember him for being a true friend of the small business segment. He genuinely cared about the potential of unleashing the potential of small firms in his capacities as finance minister, governor and his stint in the private sector. Unlike most in his party, he believed in the private sector and third sector as forces for good,” said Dludlu.
He said Mboweni’s consultative and listening approach to policy making would be missed.
On Saturday Mboweni’s family issued a statement saying that Mboweni passed away surrounded by his loved ones.
“The family is devastated by governor Mboweni's passing after a short illness," the statement read.
The Mercury