Former finance minister Tito Mboweni was laid to rest, with a solemn revelation at his funeral made by his close friend and fellow politician, Ngoako Ramatlhodi. Speaking at the service, Ramatlhodi disclosed that Mboweni, who served as finance minister and played a pivotal role in South African politics, passed away with a heavy heart. The former cabinet minister highlighted Mboweni’s dissatisfaction with the current state of the African National Congress (ANC) and the country’s political landscape.
Mboweni’s Unhappiness with the ANC
Ramatlhodi shared that he and Mboweni spent significant time together in the final months of his life, discussing their concerns about the ANC and the national democratic revolution. He revealed that Mboweni was particularly troubled by the ANC’s decision to form a Government of National Unity (GNU), a move he opposed. “He died a very unhappy comrade,” Ramatlhodi remarked, shedding light on their many in-depth conversations about the future of the ANC and the challenges facing the nation.
According to Ramatlhodi, Mboweni had grown increasingly concerned about the direction the party and the country were heading. Their discussions often revolved around what they saw as a disconnect between the principles of the national democratic revolution and the reality of the political environment.https://x.com/newslivesa/status/1847733582720098652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1847733582720098652%7Ctwgr%5E325d8c0675bd4666d773dc54b00c13780313d17f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Flifestyle%2Fceleb-news%2Flocal-celebs%2Ftito-mboweni-died-unhappy-anc-gnu-funeral-ngoako-ramatlhodi%2F
### A Shared Reflection on ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
One of the most poignant moments shared by Ramatlhodi was when Mboweni sent him a passage from Charles Dickens’ novel *A Tale of Two Cities*. The quote, describing both the best and worst of times, was a reflection of Mboweni’s view on the current state of South Africa. The excerpt reads:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
Mboweni believed that this passage mirrored the contradictions and challenges present in South Africa’s political landscape. He used the quote as part of an ongoing debate between himself and Ramatlhodi about the state of the ANC, the country’s future, and the broader implications of the decisions being made by the party’s leadership.
### Choosing Not to Quote the Dead
Although Ramatlhodi shared insights from his discussions with Mboweni, he concluded his tribute by stating that he chose not to directly quote Mboweni. “I choose not to quote the dead when they have no right of reply,” he said, respecting the privacy of the late finance minister’s thoughts and views. This decision reflected a deep respect for their personal exchanges, which were often marked by honest and difficult conversations about the nation they both served.https://x.com/PhilMphela/status/1845203949676265538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1845203949676265538%7Ctwgr%5E325d8c0675bd4666d773dc54b00c13780313d17f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Flifestyle%2Fceleb-news%2Flocal-celebs%2Ftito-mboweni-died-unhappy-anc-gnu-funeral-ngoako-ramatlhodi%2F
### A Somber Farewell
Mboweni’s death has sparked reflections on his legacy, with many acknowledging the significant contributions he made to South Africa’s economic and political spheres. As finance minister, Mboweni was known for his candidness and unfiltered opinions, traits that were admired by many but also sparked controversy. His passing has left a void in South Africa’s political landscape, particularly among those who, like Ramatlhodi, shared his concerns about the country’s future.
Ramatlhodi’s tribute at the funeral painted a picture of a man who, despite his achievements, felt a profound sense of disappointment in the later years of his life. His unhappiness with the ANC’s direction and the broader challenges facing South Africa were recurring themes in the discussions between the two former ministers.
As South Africans mourn the loss of Tito Mboweni, many will undoubtedly reflect on the political and economic legacy he leaves behind, as well as the challenges that still face the country he served so passionately.