Flexibility is the order of the day says Mboweni
“Come hell or high water, I'm not going back to the government,” were the words of former finance minister, Tito Mboweni in Tzaneen last Thursday.
He was speaking at the Warriors Foundation business breakfast meeting, which was held at the Fairview Hotel, Spa, and Golf Resort on On Thursday, February 17. Mboweni told the audience, comprising of local business people, that working for the private sector is a joy ride.
Earlier this month he announced his new appointment at Goldman Sachs as the regional advisor, after resigning as a member of parliament (MP). He provides strategic advice to the international firm on business development opportunities with a particular focus on country and subSaharan Africa.
During his address, he advised companies to start being flexible in their business approach. “Smart young people help companies to be flexible,” he said. He indicated that one of the sectors which have unfortunately not evolved and in need of flexibility is, is the education sector.
Mboweni said he has observed that Tzaneen is a private sector-driven town, which is a good thing, as he believes that businesses create employment and not the government. According to Rudi Viljoen, founder of Warriors Academy, the aim of the event was to invite local businesses to have a hand in the organization’s projects.
Also read: Minister Mboweni enjoys township vibes
He said the foundation was established after seeing the great impact which the institution had in building bridges between cultures. The Warriors Academy, a gap year activity that focuses on the personal development of an individual, has produced world-class leaders in different fields, he said He referred to one alumna, Tumi Matlou, who enrolled at the academy after she was granted a full scholarship and as a result, she has travelled the world and is now an executive director at a Johannesburg company.
Viljoen urged the guests and all companies to take part in building bridges between the cultures by sponsoring or participating in their different projects through the foundation. Richard and Rachel Rambiyana from Polokwane told the Herald that they enrolled their son at the academy, to expose him to the different cultures. and the world around him. For more information visit www. warriorsfoundation.org.za
