Former finance minister and respected African National Congress (ANC) stalwart, Tito Mboweni, will be laid to rest on Saturday in Limpopo. His funeral will follow a special provincial official ceremony, where mourners are expected to gather at the Nkowankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen from 9 am.
Mboweni, who passed away last week at the age of 65 after a short illness, was a highly regarded figure in South African politics. His family expressed their grief, sharing, “The family is devastated by Governor Mboweni’s passing after a short illness. He passed away in hospital in Johannesburg on Saturday night surrounded by his loved ones.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa also acknowledged the country’s collective loss, saying, “We have lost a leader and compatriot who has served our nation as an activist, economic policy innovator, and champion of labor rights.” Ramaphosa highlighted Mboweni’s vitality, saying that his passing had come as a shock, given the former minister’s energetic and engaging personality.
**A Life of Service**
Mboweni’s legacy stretches far beyond his tenure as finance minister. He was a key figure in shaping South Africa’s post-apartheid economic landscape and was renowned for his commitment to labor rights and economic reform. His leadership and public service have left an indelible mark on the nation.
Enoch Godongwana, the current finance minister, paid tribute to Mboweni, calling him a “thinker, a doer, and above all, a patriot.” Godongwana added, “It is hard to imagine the grief felt by those closest to him. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
The ANC echoed these sentiments, describing Mboweni as an example of “a life lived in sacrifice, dedication, and selfless service to the people of South Africa.”https://youtu.be/mbb-nwg3M2E
**Special Provincial Funeral**
President Ramaphosa has granted Mboweni a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2, a distinction reserved for outstanding or distinguished persons. According to the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy of 2016, this honor includes the national flag flying at half-mast at every flag station in the province on the day of the burial until that evening.
Mboweni’s body was placed in state at his home village of Sasekani on Friday, where community members gathered to pay their respects. Mourners who attend the funeral will also have the opportunity to leave written tributes in condolence books provided at the stadium.
**Where and When to Watch the Funeral**
For those unable to attend in person, the funeral service, scheduled to begin at 10 am, will be broadcast live on major news stations and streamed on YouTube. After the service, Mboweni’s body will be transported to Bordeaux (eBodweni) Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest.
Mboweni’s passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from across the country. Many South Africans have taken to social media to express their sorrow, with one tribute reading, “We have lost a titan.”
As the nation prepares to say its final goodbyes, Mboweni’s legacy of public service and dedication to South Africa’s economic and social development will remain firmly etched in the country’s history.