A reputation that takes a lifetime to build can be destroyed in an instant. For people and countries. In the tumult of the present, those South Africans who worked so hard to establish the country’s reputation are feeling the needless destruction most acutely. Among them former SA Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni who resorted to his Facebook page this morning to send a message to the Zuma Administration, and particularly the out-of-his-depth Mining Minister Mosebenzi Zwane. No punches are pulled by Mboweni: who suggests “Before you open your mouth and shout crazy, ignorant things about the South African Reserve Bank, please read this. No leadership must act and look so stupid!” – Alec Hogg
By Tito Mboweni*
1) Against the background of the most recent attacks on the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), I thought it prudent to say a few words about the Bank. This might help the ignorant and uniformed who rush to attack without the requisite knowledge of the SARB.
2) There is a vast amount of published and unpublished literature on the Bank which I rely on. For example, the legendary book by MH De Kock: Central Banking, 1956, which was reprinted in many editions and also one by his son, Gerhard De Kock, The History of the South African Reserve Bank. And also one by Stephen Gelb: The Origins of the South African Reserve Bank (1989). Lastly, Professor Jannie Rossouw: The South African Reserve Bank, History, Functions and Institutional Structure ( 2009).
3) This is not an academic treatise and thus I wish not to be quoting any book in extenso. To strict academicians like the Van Onsellens, I might be accused of “stealing” other people’s words. So please forgive me for that.
4) The SARB is a creature of law. The Currency and Banking Act, 1920, Act No. 31, 1920. The first bank to be established in South Africa was the Lombard Bank in Cape Town on April 3, 1793. It was owned by the Cape Colonial government. Then there were a number of banks established thereafter. Many of them failed. The SA Reserve Bank opened its doors for business in 1921. Do yourself a favour and visit the ABSA Banking Museum in Johannesburg to learn about banking in South Africa.
The ANC is dividing in 2: the #Zupta ignorant, and the shocked and disheartened old guard. Centre cannot hold. @MaxduPreez @tito_mboweni
— Russel Yeo (@russelyeo) August 31, 2016
5) Following the currency crisis of 1918/1919, a decision was made to establish a CENTRAL BANK. Remember that before that, private banks could issue currency backed up by GOLD. In the ensuing negotiations between the government and the private banks, the following arrangement was reached:
5.1) the private banks would stop issuing currency,
5.2) a common central bank would be established as the central authority to issue currency and regulate private banks,
5.3) there would be private shareholders and the government would reserve the power to appoint the Governor and three deputies Governor plus four members to the Board of Directors. Private shareholders would appoint seven other directors to balance the representation so that none had a majority in decision making but the Governor would have a deciding vote should a deadlock arise.
5.4) no-one was to have more than ten thousand shares. (Incidentally, I own 10 000 shares in the SARB and receive a fixed dividend, taxable, of R1000.00 a year. Not much!)
I really and truly don't know what is consuming my comrades. They make reckless statements about the SARB without first informing themselves
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) August 31, 2016
6) In today’s world, the SARB follows all the most recent corporate governance rules and procedures.
7) What does the South African Reserve Bank actually do? What are its ‘Purposes and Functions’?
7.1) formulates monetary policy! set the target bank interest rate. The decisions are taken by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The current mandate, given by the government, is to ensure that inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stays within the 6-3% range. This is called flexible inflation targeting.
7.2) management of the South African money and banking system. Issues banking licenses (which is what Minister Zwane apparently does not like! Hard luck mate!), regulates the banks (any deposit taking institution). The regulation of banks is the task of the Registrar of Banks in terms of the Bank’s Act.
7.3) Banker to the government.
7.4) Banker to private banks.
7.5) Issuer of currency, the Rand and Coins. In fulfilment of this function, the SARB has two subsidiary companies: The SA Mint which mints the coins and the SA BankNote Company that prints the paper money. These companies operate under the strict corporate governance rules and international best practice and standards.
7.6) management of the national payment and settlement system.
7.7) management of financial surveillance.
Duarte took a swipe at the SARB, saying the ANC had asked for an explanation of why the rand "is so jumpy". She really doesn't know why?🤔🙊🙈
— Thabi Leoka (@thabileoka) August 31, 2016
8) In short, before you open your mouth and shout crazy, ignorant things about the South African Reserve Bank, please read this and visit the SARB website for more literature. The ANC has long ago resolved these issues. Read ANC literature as well and the NEC Economic Transformation Committee (ETC) could assist. No leadership must act and look so stupid! At that level, we expect better!
- Tito Mboweni was a minister in Nelson Mandela’s inaugural cabinet and served two successive five year terms as Governor of the SA Reserve Bank – from August 1999 to November 2009.
