President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that embattled Minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene, has resigned from the post. Ramaphosa also stated that former central bank governor, Tito Mboweni, would replace Nene in the role of Minister of Finance.
Nene came under pressure to quit his ministerial post after it was revealed that he had met with members of the controversial and corrupt Gupta family at their home six times. He subsequently requested that Ramaphosa relieve him of his duties.
He also apologised for his conduct in a statement addressed to the South African public, but denies having granted anyone preferential treatment or favours.
Mboweni seems excited and well prepared for his new role, and has highlighted three key areas that need to be revisited. These include establishing a state bank and enforcing that the state owns 40% of the country’s mines.
The Minister of Finance’s name also shot to fame for a reason that has nothing to do with politics – hip-hop superstar, Cassper Nyovest, used Mboweni’s name in a catchy song released last year.
Reactions to Mboweni’s appointment have gone viral, with a quite a few making reference to the Nyovest song. Here they are:
Congratulations Kumkani @tito_mboweni my brother & dear friend..Our people!
I know you will never steal money or raid the tills
But we gonna watch you with the eye of a hawk!?Now just adjust the state mine ownership to 60% & start with this 3point plan?? pic.twitter.com/oBEt6UplNl
— Dali Mpofu (@AdvDali_Mpofu) October 9, 2018
Ama 2000 when they find out Tito Mboweni is a person.. pic.twitter.com/NziNBtPxyA
— Christopher (@Samuel14122417) October 10, 2018
Cassper has made an announcement that he owns the name Tito mboweni, so his sueing tito mboweni for being Tito mboweni…??? pic.twitter.com/hBHyp8AWUw
— Thabz ? (@ThabzDaVocalist) October 10, 2018
Wait until uncle Tito Mboweni makes a grand entrance with Cassper Nyovest song on all his media briefings like…? pic.twitter.com/XbXE0u0SzB
— Sphelele (@SpheDludla) October 9, 2018
Some 2000s will only know now why @CassperNyovest used Tito Mboweni sha sha on that song pic.twitter.com/drpS1zW09z
— VEE?THE?KING?? (@Vukile_vee) October 9, 2018
Tito Mboweni is one corrupt individual who’s in cahoots with the hostile rogue regime of Pravin Gordhan. Tito Mboweni was given shares at Bidvest, Investec for Assisting to loot Billions of Rands from SARB through illicit fraud in 1999.
— Great Zulu? (@SuperiorZulu) October 9, 2018
Man i thought Tito Mboweni was some South African term for partying hard or success or making money from the song of Cassper Nyovest. I didnt know it was the name of a minister ??? https://t.co/VQxwmP2bCr
— JackNaya ?? ?? (@naya_jnino) October 9, 2018
Like the urban poet said Tito mboweni SHA SHA !?? pic.twitter.com/qaAWnGEYVP
— BAREND ROTHSCHILD (@barend_g) October 9, 2018
CNBC is busy playing Tito Mboweni by Cassper Nyovest in Celebration of his appointment Lit ??
— Great Zulu? (@SuperiorZulu) October 9, 2018
We need Sha Sha in Parliament when Tito Mboweni takes to the podium pic.twitter.com/7wuSJh9Ueq
— NyatsiKaDuduzane?? (@RheeMilly) October 9, 2018
Congratulations Minister @tito_mboweni . Let’s get on with it. pic.twitter.com/2n91CUiiTA
— Matshela Koko (@koko_matshela) October 9, 2018
Picture: Twitter