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Zuma replaces central bank chief | Zuma replaces central bank chief |
(10 minutes later) | |
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has named former deputy governor Gill Marcus as the new governor of the country's central bank. | South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has named former deputy governor Gill Marcus as the new governor of the country's central bank. |
She replaces Tito Mboweni, who has been praised for efforts to fight inflation, and will take over in November. | She replaces Tito Mboweni, who has been praised for efforts to fight inflation, and will take over in November. |
Mr Zuma said he had initially appointed Mr Mboweni for a third, five-year term, but he had asked to leave early. | Mr Zuma said he had initially appointed Mr Mboweni for a third, five-year term, but he had asked to leave early. |
Ms Marcus served as deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank between 1999 and 2004. | Ms Marcus served as deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank between 1999 and 2004. |
She is currently chairwoman of banking group Absa. | She is currently chairwoman of banking group Absa. |
'Highly respected' | |
"I have reappointed Mr Mboweni as Reserve Bank Governor. However, he has indicated his wish to leave in November 2009 to pursue other interests," said Mr Zuma. | "I have reappointed Mr Mboweni as Reserve Bank Governor. However, he has indicated his wish to leave in November 2009 to pursue other interests," said Mr Zuma. |
"I have therefore decided to designate Ms Gill Marcus." | "I have therefore decided to designate Ms Gill Marcus." |
The appointment has been closely watched. With the country in recession, the president has come under pressure from unions to loosen monetary policy, and focus more on job creation. | The appointment has been closely watched. With the country in recession, the president has come under pressure from unions to loosen monetary policy, and focus more on job creation. |
But, for now, Mr Zuma seems to be resisting such calls. | But, for now, Mr Zuma seems to be resisting such calls. |
"She's not new... let nobody wonder what's going to happen. She was there when the policy was made, so there's nothing really new," he said. | "She's not new... let nobody wonder what's going to happen. She was there when the policy was made, so there's nothing really new," he said. |
Analysts said Mr Mboweni had been expected to stay on in the post, but that financial markets were likely to welcome the appointment of Ms Marcus as a sign of continuity. | |
"She's a person of fiercely independent views, and is entirely appropriate, since she was previously deputy governor. I would by no means consider this to be a 'win' - so to speak - for labour or the left," Michael Spicer, chief executive of Business Leadership South Africa, told the BBC. | |
Colen Garrow at investment group Brait said: "She is highly respected in the market place. I think the appointment won't move financial markets - it's a good appointment." |