Quick Facts
| Born | March 16, 1959, Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Career | Minister of Finance (2018-2021), Minister of Labour (1994-1998), Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (1999-2009) |
| Positions | Regional Advisor for Goldman Sachs, Chairperson of Accelerate Property Fund, Non-executive Director at Zijin Platinum |
| Memberships | African National Congress (ANC), Chairperson of the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) |
| Other Activities | Honorary Professor at Wits University and Stellenbosch University, holder of five honorary doctorates |
Biography of Tito Mboweni
Tito Titus Mboweni, born on March 16, 1959, in Tzaneen, Limpopo, was a distinguished South African politician, economist, and academic. He served as the Minister of Finance of South Africa from October 9, 2018, until August 5, 2021, during a challenging period for the country’s economy, including the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before this role, Mboweni made history as South Africa’s first black Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1998, contributing significantly to the country’s labor policies post-apartheid.
Mboweni’s early political career began within the African National Congress (ANC), where he held the position of Deputy Head of the Department of Economic Policy. In this role, he represented the ANC on both domestic and international platforms, playing a vital role in shaping economic policy in the early days of South Africa’s democracy.
In 1999, Mboweni was appointed as the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), a position he held until 2009. His tenure was marked by efforts to maintain financial stability and manage inflation during a period of global economic fluctuations. Prior to becoming Governor, he served as an advisor to the SARB Governor starting in July 1998.
Mboweni’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts (honours equivalent) degree in Economics and Political Science from the National University of Lesotho (1985) and a Master of Arts degree in Development Economics from the University of East Anglia in England (1987). His academic expertise and practical experience have been recognized with honorary professorships at Wits University and Stellenbosch University, as well as five honorary doctorates.
After his time in public office, Mboweni transitioned into the private sector. He became a Regional Advisor for Goldman Sachs, where he provided strategic guidance on economic and investment trends. He also served as Chairperson of Accelerate Property Fund and as a non-executive director at Zijin Platinum in South Africa. Additionally, he was the Chairperson of the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), a think tank based in Accra, Ghana.
Tito Mboweni passed away on October 12, 2024, at the age of 65, following a brief illness at a hospital in Johannesburg. His contributions to South Africa’s economic landscape and his role in guiding the country through key financial challenges left a lasting impact on the nation’s political and economic history.