Tito can’t turn the tide on his own

Tito Mboweni, pictured right, has become the fifth minister of finance in the past four years. Since the 2014 general elections, Mboweni follows in the footsteps of Nhlanhla Nene , Des van Rooyen, Pravin Gordhan, Malusi Gigaba and Nene again.

When the president announced that Nene had asked to be relieved of his duties, he probably went for a safe appointment to steer the ship until the next elections in 2019.

But with his reputation and good governance skills, Mboweni alone will not change the dire economic situation of the country.

He needs capable men and women – both in the public and private sector – to work with the government to change things.

He can’t be expected to just rock up at the Treasury and everything will be fine.

He has undoubtedly inherited a poisoned chalice and Ramaphosa will hope that he will steer the ship to safety until the 2019 elections. Kiekie Mboweni