Tito Mboweni, South Africa’s former finance minister and a prominent anti-apartheid activist, has passed away at the age of 65. He died on Saturday evening after a short illness, surrounded by loved ones.
The South African presidency released a statement expressing condolences from President Cyril Ramaphosa. The statement highlighted Mboweni’s contributions to the nation, noting, “His life was a testament to a life lived in sacrifice, dedication, and selfless service to the people of South Africa.”
Mboweni, who spent years in exile during apartheid, played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s post-apartheid labor laws as Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1998.
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He later served as the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank from 1999 to 2009, and he returned to public service as Finance Minister from 2018 until his retirement in 2021. His tenure was marked by efforts to stabilize the economy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recent years, Mboweni engaged with the public through social media, sharing humorous cooking content that endeared him to many South Africans. His passing has come as a shock to the nation, reflecting the deep impact he had throughout his career.