TRIBUTE
*Writer: Tsakani Maluleke
Kimi Makwetu: A visionary and eternal patriot
T
But to us, Makwetu was our leader – the one who showed by example how we can diligently serve our country. He was an incredible teacher, mentor and friend. He may have been the head of South Africa’s supreme audit institution,
he history of black
ed a sense of national
South Africans’
duty by showing us that
Teacher, mentor and friend
entry into the ac-
it was imperative for
Since his passing, many
institution how we can
counting and auditing
some of us to get into
endearing words have
be a beacon of hope for
profession will definitely
public sector auditing
been used to describe
our beloved country.
have a big chapter
and actively support our
Makwetu – words such
about Auditor-General
democracy. That is how
as incredible, ethical,
(AG) Kimi Makwetu and
my generation of
his generation.
young, patri-
This will be preceded
otic auditors
dedicated servant, excellence and patriot.
but he was also a man who showed us as an
A pioneer As a visionary leader and a patriot, Makwetu was always restless
by a chapter on amavu-
was born.
landllela – the trailblazers
We owe
words are
sector governance sys-
like Professor Wiseman
our birth to
true and
tems, as he asserted that
Nkuhlu and Nonkululeko
pioneers like
Gobodo who showed us
Makwetu.
All of these
relevant to this giant.
about the state of public
the lapses were having a significant impact on
that we, as black people,
how basic services were
can follow accountancy
delivered to the ordinary citizens.
as a profession. Makwetu’s generation – people like his predecessors Terence Nombembe and Shauket Fakie, amongst others – played a huge role
Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu, who passed away recently, was a diligent ser vant of the countr y.
But as an eternal patriot, he always impressed on us that it will never be enough for us to just issue negative audit findings every year. He firmly believed that,
in ensuring that the
for the sake of the ordi-
number of black
nary South Africans, we
chartered account-
need to empower those
ants grew.
charged with govern-
They also cultivat-
40
ance and oversight to
Public Sector Manager • December 2020/January 2021
