Goodbye+Trevor,+Felicity+Duncan,+Moneyweb




 * Goodbye Trevor? **


 * Felicity Duncan, Moneyweb, 20 February 2008**

//Will Trevor finally bid us farewell?//

After the dramatic events of the ANC's annual meeting in Polokwane last year, when Jacob Zuma wrestled the ANC presidency from Thabo Mbeki, many voices were heard wondering whether we were about to see the end of the Manuel years.

Trevor Manuel is the world's longest-serving finance minister; he has presented the country's annual budget for the last twelve years. His reputation as a prudent financial manager and a reliable guardian of the country's moderate fiscal stance has been a major asset for South Africa over the years and the country will miss his reassuring presence when he goes.

The question of when he will go has been on everyone's mind since Polokwane. We were reassured by his re-election to the ANC's national executive council, but possibility of his retirement remains.

Manuel added fuel to the rumour mill by taking the unprecedented step of inserting a personal thank you to his family in his speech today.

Said Manuel, "I have earlier spoken of the National Treasury as the department in the service of other departments - this is an unbelievably difficult task managed and led with aplomb by Lesetja Kganyago, a true gift to the public service who continues to bring out the sparkle in all of his team. His efforts we warmly applaud. The staff in the Ministry are a wonderful group of people who give more than what is requested of them - to all of them a huge thank you. Finally, to my long suffering family - Maria, the boys, my Mom, my Sisters, Oupa and the extended family. Thank you. And then, to all of you, listening and engaged, thank you so very much for your patience and forbearance, we take no part of it for granted."

When asked whether this would indeed be his last budget, Manuel was non-committal. He told the assembled journalists that he serves at the pleasure of the ANC, and that, should they tell him to step down, he would comply.

Until the next elections, we probably won't know for sure whether or not the Manuel years will continue. But you can be certain that Manuel's every word and gesture will continue to hold the attention of investors and citizens alike.


 * From: http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page32837?oid=194761&sn=Detail**

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