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Auditor General Kimi Makwetu. (Photo: GCIS / Elmond Jiyane)
Makwetu was one of the few who worked tirelessly to help us better understand and unravel the complex web of how state capture works, among other things, creating a shadow state. His ultimate prize was the capture of the National Treasury and the ‘bad guys’ getting their dirty hands on the continent’s largest asset manager, the PIC.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your strength; because there is no work, nor artifice, nor science, nor wisdom in the Seol where you go. – Ecclesiastical 9:10
It is Walter Payton who reminds us that, “remember, tomorrow is not promised to anyone.” It was just Tuesday, November 10 that I was speaking with Tata Thembekile “Kimi” Makwetu, congratulating him on another global recognition and the SENS announcement that The Bidvest Group Limited was preparing to launch, and requesting his approval. He had accepted a non-executive director position, effective December 1, and would serve on three board committees. All of this was in preparation for completion in my meeting with Nompumelelo Madisa, CEO of Sis, later the same day.
So it was with great surprise that we learned of his sudden passing on the evening of November 11, at such a young age of 54. A truly fearless, dynamic and driven ethical leader, Tata Thembekile had given his life to the now-maligned auditing profession, having worked for most of his life in the private sector before accepting the call to share his vast knowledge, demonstrable track record. and professionalism in the public sector where he was Deputy Auditor General. His seven-year term as Auditor General would have expired on November 30.
We bow our collective heads in admiration for how he and his team managed to raise the bar and provide a sea change in the Auditor General’s office. This team managed to change the law to give more force to this office to demand ethical leadership, absolute transparency and final responsibility of public servants.
He was a formidable ally in helping South Africa eradicate and defeat State Capture. He was one of the few who worked tirelessly to help us better understand and unravel the complex web of how State Capture works, including creating a shadow state, repurposing state entities and companies, and replacing the “bad guys.” ”With highly trained and experienced public servants.
The ultimate prize was the capture of the National Treasury itself and the “bad guys” getting their dirty hands on the continent’s largest asset manager, the PIC. He played a pivotal role in helping us conceptualize, distill and synthesize a presentation, prepared at a time when civil society organizations were deeply concerned about the impact of State Capture on the lives of millions of people. The evidence of the impact of State Capture on people is taken from the Popular Hearing on State Capture, an initiative of the Working Group in October 2019, to give a voice to the victims of these economic crimes.
The human cost of capturing the State and its contribution to deepening poverty and inequality provides the necessary urgency for the reforms established in that presentation, whose recommendations identify and address areas, in the broad scope of the Working Group’s presentations. , which require critical attention, namely: strengthening and developing the capacity of criminal justice agencies; hold the facilitators of state capture to account; improve the financial accountability of political parties through amended regulations; address the endemic nature of corruption in state enterprises and enterprises; and address the impact of corruption and how it undermines the fundamental rights of vulnerable groups.
He set the Office of the Auditor General’s sights on embezzlers of taxpayer money. Under Makwetu’s leadership, the Auditor General of South Africa has reached a milestone of more than 1,000 chartered accountants in his ranks. As a key institution of accountability in the public service, the recent passage of the Public Audit Act, as amended, has the potential to significantly alter the protection of the nation’s resources by fostering greater accountability among citizens. custodians of public resources.
He was awarded and honored by the Association for the Advancement of Southern African Black Accountants (Abasa) during their annual convention with a lifetime achievement award from his peers for his “excellent work” and contribution to the industry. He passed his CA (SA) board exams in March 2000. His further education saw him complete, among others, an Accelerated Executive Development Program at IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Legal Aspects of Corporate Finance at the University of London.
To Sister Miranda, her three children, extended family, colleagues, and friends, kindly accept our most sincere and sincere condolences and condolences for her profound loss and that of the country. We can only imagine that there is no deeper pain than losing a loving father, a considerate husband, and a truly healthy human being. He will not grow old any more and will walk by your side every day, unseen, unheard but always close, still loved, still missed and much loved. Our support and prayers are with you. May Jehovah grant family and friends the strength to endure irreparable loss, who will also find strength in Jehovah’s enduring grace, healing and His unending supply of love. He strengthens the weary and increases the power of the weak.
God bless you all the time Thank you humbly and sincerely dad! DM
Bonang Mohale is Rector of the University of the Free State, Professor of Practice in the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Johannesburg School of Business (JBS), Chairman of The Bidvest Group Limited and former Chairman of the BMF. He is the author of the best-selling book, “Lift As You Rise.”
