The former South African finance minister and influential economist Tito Mboweni has passed away at the age of 65 after a brief illness. President Cyril Ramaphosa lauded Mboweni as an activist and a policy innovator who played a key role in South Africa's economic landscape. Born an exile kid, Mboweni's diverse experiences across the globe shaped his aversion to narrow nationalism and xenophobia. Returning from exile in 1990, he made strides in post-apartheid labor laws, advocating for workers' rights and collective bargaining under President Nelson Mandela. His time as governor of the Reserve Bank was marked by successful inflation control, earning international recognition. Serving as finance minister from 2018 to 2021, Mboweni stabilized the South African economy, despite earlier expressing a desire for newer leadership. Known for his down-to-earth style, he shared personal moments through social media, charming the public with his culinary endeavors. His death leaves a significant void in South Africa's political and economic spheres, with mourners noting the immensity of his contributions.