President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dr. Tito Mboweni, former Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and Labour and Finance Minister, who passed away on Saturday night at the age of 65 after a brief illness. Ramaphosa extended condolences to Mboweni’s family and friends, emphasizing the shock of losing a leader known for his vitality and engaging personality. Mboweni served as South Africa’s first Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1999 under President Nelson Mandela and later as Governor of the Reserve Bank for a decade.
From 2018 to 2021, he held the position of Minister of Finance in Ramaphosa’s administration. Ramaphosa praised Mboweni as an activist and champion of labor rights, highlighting his focus on fiscal discipline and economic transformation.
The Mboweni family released a statement confirming his passing, expressing their devastation. Tributes flooded social media, with prominent figures like Minister Ronald Lamola and ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula honoring his legacy and contributions to South Africa. Mboweni’s passion for cooking shared widely online, added a unique charm to his public persona, leaving a lasting impression on the nation.
In other news – President Mnangagwa declares state of disaster after Mbare fire incident
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of disaster following a devastating fire at Mbare Traders Market in Harare on October 8, 2024. The inferno, which broke out on a Tuesday night, resulted in significant destruction at one of the country’s largest informal trade hubs, affecting over 4,000 traders.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe confirmed the declaration under the Civil Protection Act, stating, “The unfortunate inferno razed down the whole retail section and parts of the wholesale market, negatively impacting many livelihoods.” Read Moe
