Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has spoken out after reportedly being snubbed from delivering a tribute at the funeral of former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni.
The event, held this past weekend at Nkowankowa Stadium in Limpopo, was attended by numerous dignitaries, but Mbeki, a close friend and mentor to Mboweni, was unexpectedly left off the final list of speakers, despite earlier confirmations.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mbeki confirmed that the Mboweni family had initially requested him to deliver a eulogy at the funeral service in honor of Mboweni, who passed away following a short illness. The former statesman expressed his deep disappointment at the exclusion, noting that it contradicted Mboweni’s final wish.
Mbeki shared that, before the funeral, a draft programme had been sent to him, which included his name among the select group of speakers chosen to pay tribute to Tito Mboweni. As someone who had played a significant role in Mboweni’s career, helping him rise to become the first black Governor of the South African Reserve Bank in 1999, Mbeki was poised to give a heartfelt tribute to his late friend.
However, when the final programme was released on the day of the funeral, Mbeki’s name had been removed from the list without any explanation.
Mbeki, who attended the service alongside other notable figures, said there was no apparent reason for his removal from the speaking programme.
Despite this, he chose not to question the change at the time, assuming that the final decision had been made for a good reason. He respected the family’s decision and refrained from making any fuss, indicating that he believed the funeral proceedings had been carefully considered and finalised in the best interest of honoring Mboweni.
Furthermore, Mbeki revealed that the Mboweni family had reached out to him after the omission was noticed and offered to adjust the programme to accommodate him. However, Mbeki graciously declined the offer, believing that once the programme had been finalized, it was best not to disrupt the flow of events. He chose instead to allow the funeral to proceed as planned, without creating any unnecessary controversy.
Although Mbeki did not speak at the funeral, he has since released the tribute he had prepared for his friend. In the tribute, Mbeki fondly described Mboweni as a frank, sharp-minded individual who stood out as a leader in the fields of labour, monetary, and fiscal policies.
He highlighted Mboweni’s dedication to public service and his significant contributions to South Africa’s economic landscape. Mboweni, Mbeki wrote, was a cut above the rest in terms of his intellect and vision, always working for the betterment of the country.
Mbeki’s statement revealed a sense of both disappointment and acceptance over the situation. While he had wished to honor his friend publicly, he accepted that the circumstances were beyond his control. His decision not to challenge the changes to the programme reflects his characteristic humility and deference to the wishes of the family, as well as his commitment to ensuring that Mboweni’s funeral proceeded smoothly.
Tito Mboweni’s passing marks the end of a significant chapter in South Africa’s political and economic history. As a former Governor of the Reserve Bank and Finance Minister, Mboweni played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s monetary policy during critical periods of transition.
His work earned him both respect and admiration across various sectors, and his legacy will continue to influence the nation for years to come.
Mbeki’s tribute, though not delivered in person, serves as a reminder of the profound impact Mboweni had, not just on the country’s economic institutions, but on the people who worked with him and knew him personally. It also underscores the importance of Mboweni’s contributions, which will be remembered long after his passing.
Despite the circumstances surrounding the funeral, Mbeki’s dignified response and touching tribute have ensured that his voice has been heard, celebrating the life and legacy of his dear friend.
