Fellow politicians of former Reserve Bank Governor and Labour and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni have described him as an activist, a steadfast opponent of corruption and a committed leader.

This after news of Mboweni’s death on Saturday following a short illness. He was 65 years old.

Between 2018 and 2021, Mboweni served as Minister of Finance in the administration led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and before that, he served as Governor of the South African Reserve Bank for a decade from 1999.

He was democratic South Africa’s first Minister of Labour between 1994 and 1999 in the Cabinet of founding President Nelson Mandela.

Ramaphosa said Mboweni’s death came as a shock “given his sense of vitality and energetic and affable engagement with fellow South Africans”.

He said South Africa had lost a leader and compatriot, who served the nation as an activist, economic policy innovator and champion of labour rights.

“As Governor and Finance Minister, he had a sharp focus on fiscal discipline and economic transformation. Tito Mboweni distinguished himself in different strategic roles in the private sector and was a flag bearer in global forums for our economy and developing economies more broadly,” Ramaphosa said.

African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said Mboweni was among the giants that sacrificed their own lives for the liberation of the country and its people.

She noted Mboweni’s contributions to the country’s democracy and post-apartheid economic landscape, saying they were immeasurable.

Democratic Alliance (DA) national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said Mboweni’s legacy in South African politics was long and significant, describing him as a steadfast opponent of corruption and noting that he consistently championed fiscal responsibility.

“He worked tirelessly to steer the economy toward growth while mitigating the impact of rising debt levels. He will be remembered as a patriot who stood for what was right, even in challenging times, and as a humble and principled man at heart,” she said.

The DA said his passing was a profound loss for South Africa and that his contributions would not be forgotten.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said Mboweni was instrumental in fostering national reconciliation, social cohesion and dignity in the work space through labour law reforms.

"His contributions to our country's economic development, during his tenure as Minister and Governor of the Reserve Bank, will be one to tell generations about," the party added. 

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema saluted Mboweni for his contribution in the struggle against apartheid and the many strategic institutions and departments he led, noting that Mboweni was never accused of any corruption or maladministration.

He described Mboweni as a committed leader who was always interested in putting the interests of people first.

Malema said he would miss the long telephone conversations that he used to have with Mboweni.

Meanwhile ActionSA Leader Herman Mashaba extended his condolences to Mboweni’s family and his friends in the ANC.

“As someone who has actively taken part in events leading to the end of apartheid, the ushering of the democratic era and, in his own unique ways, in often pushing back even against the excesses of his own comrades in favour of reason, it is safe to say that Mr Mboweni has lived a full life of an activist for good. This is despite the relatively young age of his passing,” Mashaba said.

He said the country needed more voices like that of Mboweni’s, to call for order.

GOOD leader Patricia de Lille pointed out that under Mboweni’s leadership, the nation’s budget largely succeeded in navigating the fine line between bare economic survival and the fiscal cliff.

He navigated the country’s finances during the Covid-19 pandemic, making provisions for the much-needed vaccination drive and the Social Relief of Distress Grant, she pointed out.

“As South Africans, we are grateful for his service. His commitment to the country will never be forgotten. May his aloe ferox plant live on and his soul rest in peace,” said De Lille.

Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi noted with sadness the passing of Mboweni, who he said was a committed public servant who gave the best of his life serving the people of South Africa.

“As a freedom fighter, he was one of many who ensured we become a democracy. As a young minister of labour, he shepherded comprehensive labour market reforms that reduced man hours lost to strikes, protected the rights of workers and ensured their bargaining power was entrenched in our statutes,” he said.