Tzaneen – Senior politicians including former president Thabo Mbeki and ex-deputy president David the “Cat” Mabuza were among the mourners who descended on the Nkowankowa Stadium in Tzaneen, Limpopo on Saturday to bid farewell to Dr. Tito Titus Mboweni.
The former South African Reserve Bank Governor and retired Cabinet minister died in hospital on Saturday, (12 October 2024), after a short illness at the age of 65.
Dr. Mboweni was accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 2.
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Giving her welcoming remarks, Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba described Dr. Mboweni – who served as labour minister and finance minister – as not ashamed of his village despite it being “underdeveloped.”
Premier Ramathuba said the former finance minister’s demise was not only a loss to the bereaved family and his home province of Limpopo, but the whole of South Africa and other countries as indicated by conveyed sympathies.
She said before Dr. Mboweni’s untimely passing, he visited the school where he once attended and interacted with teachers and pupils.
Premier Ramathuba said Dr. Mboweni was also regarded as Limpopo’s tourism ambassador and community servant.
“Tito Mboweni was beyond a self-appointed tourism ambassador of our province,” Premier Ramathuba said.
“Today as a province, we came up with a slogan urging every mayor, councillor, and MEC to use their data fruitfully to tweet and share the beauty of our province.”
The premier suggested that doing so would attract tourists to the province to witness stories shared on social media.
She said such actions would help build Limpopo’s economy and create more jobs – something the premier said Dr. Mboweni was “unashamedly” doing.
“Therefore I’m welcoming you to this home of Tito Mboweni,” she said.
“Even after he retired from active politics, he became a community representative.
“I’m saying this Mr. President because while I was still the MEC of health he would call me and tell me about some community problems at Letaba Hospital and urge me to solve the problems.”
Premier Ramathuba said looking after his primary school was part of Dr. Mboweni’s legacy.
“Just before his passing, he visited his primary school and expressed his concern about its condition and even took time to engage with the learners and share his memories with them,” Premier Ramathuba said.
“I made a commitment with the MEC that we will go and fix the school in memory of Tito.”
In his eulogy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “We are gathered here to bid farewell to one of the most illustrious sons of our motherland South Africa.
“Our hearts are heavy because of this great loss. But we are also here to celebrate a life well led. A life that is replete with many lessons
“On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, I convey my deepest sympathies to the family of Tito Titus Mboweni on the loss of their father, brother and uncle.
“I convey my sympathies to the leadership and the membership of the African National Congress – a movement he served with integrity, in exile, during the journey to democracy and beyond.”
President Ramaphosa added: “We have lost a respected leader, friend, comrade, teacher, mentor and compatriot.
“He was known by many names to many different people:
“Comrade Tito, Uncle Tito, Gov8, erstwhile National Breadwinner, unpaid impresario for Lucky Star, The Duke of Magoebaskloof.
“He was larger than life because he led such a big life and touched the lives of many people.
“He fraternised with heads of state and government such as presidents and prime ministers.
“He was on first-name terms with central bankers around the world.
“He was respected by leading economists, titans of business, labour leaders and ordinary people in our country.
“Yet despite his stature and profile, he never lost the common touch. He had a gift to connect to people.
“He understood them and he had a way to make people feel special and made them have a sense that they mattered.”
President Ramaphosa said Governor 8 could relate to people from all walks of life.
“He was an empathetic man,” the President said, adding: “He valued character over pedigree. And he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person – and usually found it.
“Tito’s departure has left a void in our hearts.
“Comrade Tito, you understood the assignment.
“As we bid you farewell my brother, my comrade, my fellow fly fisherman, your legacy is of a successful transformation from a freedom fighter to a businessman, central banker, and politician.”
*All images courtesy of GCIS
