13 October 2024 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) pays special tribute to the late Mr. Tito Mboweni who helped to stabilise our macro-economic landscape in the pivotal roles he played as Governor of the Reserve Bank and Minister of Finance, working closely with SARS as part of the broader Finance family.
For ten years from 1999 to 2009, he was the Governor of the Reserve Bank, a decade that coincided with the 10 years served by the late Mr. Pravin Gordhan as Commissioner of SARS. It was this decade of stability in leadership, along with Mr. Trevor Manuel as the then Minister of Finance, that helped SARS in its strategic repositioning and modernization as a world-class revenue authority.
No other portfolio of government had such stability in leadership over such a long time, which was essential for building our democracy and strengthening institutions such as SARS and the Reserve Bank.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter paid homage to Mr. Mboweni as being a part of a generation of young leaders who prioritise the fight against apartheid when it seemed impossible to defeat the minority regime.
“Mr. Mboweni willingly made the sacrifices necessary to realise our goal of freedom in a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic order. His generation was known as the “young lions” because of their bravery and selflessness. For that, SARS salutes him for his fight against minority rule and for building our democracy. His leadership as Minister of Finance came at the most important juncture in the history of SARS after it had suffered a deliberate and systematic decimation of its governance in pursuit of corrupt intent. It was the late Minister Mboweni acting on the recommendation of the Committee that proposed to the President to appoint me as Commissioner of SARS.
Since May 2019, I had the pleasure of working alongside Tito Mboweni, as we started the journey to rebuild SARS, post the period of state capture. In the lead up to the recent elections, Tito called to encourage me to continue the work we are doing at SARS, stressing how important it is to never give up in strengthening our democracy. He was unwavering in his quest to help not only the rebuilding efforts but to ensure that SARS once more enjoys pride of place in our society. His wise counsel and unstinting support to SARS to fulfil its mandate of collecting all that is due to Government will be solely missed. Coming so soon after the passing of Mr. Gordhan this untimely death robs us as SARS and the broader South African society of a patriot, an irrepressible individual and an intellectual giant.
Farewell Tito, you have played your part, we shall continue the path of strengthening our fiscal policies and administrative capacity for the betterment of all South Africans.”
SARS wishes to convey its condolences and deepest sympathies to the extended Mboweni family on the sad passing away of the former Minister of Finance.
Hamba Kahle!
For further information, please contact SARS at [email protected].
