Working in a collective and accepting its decisions and discipline is like ‘swallowing a rock’, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has said in a tweet.
He was expressing evident frustration at working with the cabinet and being held to decisions with which he disagreed.
His tweet on 5 May read: ‘Not so long ago, I was a free man, no political constraints. Then I agreed, voluntarily to join Government. Tjoooo! Free but not free!! You have to obey the majority/collective decisions! Sometimes it feels like swallowing a rock!’
Two minutes later, he tweeted: ‘I have often asked myself the question: What is the art of politics? The Path to Power and how to stay in Power! And lead your People correctly. Corruption free. Why do people want to be in Power, actually? Why? It’s a poorly paying, thankless and abusive job!!’
An enthusiastic tweeter and food-lover, Mboweni – who was Minister of Labour under former President Mandela, and subsequently governor of the South African Reserve Bank – has gained a reputation as something of a maverick. His positions are often regarded as more business-friendly and less dirigiste than those of many of his colleagues. He has called loudly for structural reform, and has antagonised some within the ruling alliance by suggesting that some state assets should be privatised.
Recently, he said that he disagreed with the decision to continue the ban on selling alcohol and tobacco, as this was costing the fiscus millions of rands, while he was under pressure to spend money.