MTBPS: Godongwana pays tribute to Gordhan, Mboweni and Mdladlana
In the space of a month, the country lost two former finance ministers, Pravin Gordhan and Tito Mboweni, and most recently former labour minister, Membathisi Mdladlana.
FILE: Enoch Godongwana, the South African Minister of Finance, delivers his mid-term budget policy statement in the Cape Town City Hall, which is being used as a venue for the South African Parliament, in Cape Town on 1 November 2023. Picture:AFP
CAPE TOWN - The tabling of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) started on a sombre note in the National Assembly on Wednesday, as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana paid tribute to his predecessors.
In the space of a month – the country lost two former finance ministers – Pravin Gordhan and Tito Mboweni, and most recently former labour minister – Membathisi Mdladlana.
Godongwana said they all shaped the country’s democracy and he was inspired by them in compiling the first mini-budget of the seventh administration.
Godongwana says the three late former ministers were deeply committed public servants, fearless leaders and true patriots.
He said in preparing Wednesday’s speech and grappling with the challenges facing the nation in reaching social and economic development goals – the wisdom imparted by Gordhan and Mboweni was a constant source of inspiration.
“Pravin Gordhan will be remembered as one of South Africa’s great architects in developing a capable state and world-class revenue authority, and unwavering in his conviction to ethical governance and sound public financial management.”
Meanwhile, Godongwana said Mboweni would be remembered for modernising South Africa’s monetary policy and he brought passion and intellectual bravery to structural reforms.
“In one of his last public interviews, governor number 8 as he liked to be called, spoke of the new few years being defined as the infrastructure years, where the national obsession should be on building the much-needed infrastructure.”
Godongwana said Mboweni would be proud that this policy statement announces bold and far-reaching infrastructure reforms.