Mboweni's last piece of advice to the GNU

 
CAPE TOWN - The country's first labour minister in 1994, a Reserve Bank governor for a decade, and a reluctant Finance Minister just five years ago, the late Tito Mboweni continued to be an active commentator in the economic sphere on the continent until his untimely death on Saturday.

He passed away in hospital in Johannesburg at the age of 65 after a short illness.

Just two months ago, he weighed in on the new Government of National Unity (GNU) on 702's Money Show with Stephen Grootes, laying down a blueprint for jumpstarting the ailing economy.

Never one to mince his words, Mboweni was cautiously optimistic about South Africa's unprecedented, new political landscape.

"It's early days. I think we have to be optimistic. We have to look to the future with great courage and determination," he said.  

READ: 'We have lost a leader': Former Minister Tito Mboweni has died

He advised the coalition government to define the next five years as ones dedicated to infrastructure development. 

"If we can fix our ports, and ensure that the connection between the ports and the rail system works, we are onto a good wicket there," Mboweni said.

Mboweni further advised the government to fix telecommunications, move cargo from road to rail, and maintain health, education, and transport infrastructure.

The no-nonsense former Finance Minister was for the new government to channel its energy in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"We can do it if we are focused, we should avoid being all over the place. Focus on the key issues," he added.