Tito Mboweni, a trailblazing figure in South African politics and economics, has passed away at the age of 65. His family announced his passing on Saturday night, sending shockwaves throughout the nation. Mboweni’s remarkable career was marked by numerous milestones, including his tenure as the first Black governor of the South African Reserve Bank, a position he held from 1999 to 2009.

As a key figure in South Africa’s transition to democracy, Mboweni played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic landscape. He served as labor minister in the first democratic cabinet after apartheid’s end in 1994 and later as finance minister from October 2018 to August 2021. During his time in office, Mboweni championed fiscal discipline and economic transformation, leaving a lasting impact on South Africa’s financial sector. His achievements include growing foreign-exchange reserves and adopting inflation targeting.

Mboweni’s passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from leaders and organizations across South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Mboweni’s dedication to the nation, while the African National Congress (ANC) acknowledged his contributions to the country’s economic growth.