Tito Mboweni, former Finance Minister and South African Reserve Bank Governor, has died at 65 after a short illness, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed. The President extended his condolences to Mboweni’s family, friends, and colleagues, calling his death a significant loss to the nation.
Mboweni was South Africa’s first Minister of Labour, serving under Nelson Mandela from 1994 to 1999, during which he played a crucial role in shaping the country’s early democratic labour policies. He later became Governor of the South African Reserve Bank in 1999, leading the institution for a decade.
Mboweni returned to government service as Finance Minister from 2018 to 2021 under President Ramaphosa. Known for his strong stance on fiscal discipline, he was a key figure in navigating the country’s economic challenges.
President Ramaphosa expressed shock over Mboweni’s death, describing him as a leader who was dedicated to labour rights, economic transformation, and fiscal responsibility. He also noted Mboweni’s active public presence and his ability to connect with South Africans.
