Tito Mboweni spoke of ways to open up the jobs market to young workers, and even hinted at the death of South African Airways (SAA). However, it would be his remarks on restaurants that raised eyebrows.

Tito Mboweni claimed that “almost all restaurant staff” in South Africa aren’t from this country. Mboweni stated that he wants this to change going forward, without jeopardising the futures of foreign nationals who already have jobs in the service industry. The minister is also prepared to clamp-down on rogue spaza shops:

“The proportion of South Africans working in a restaurant must be greater than that of non-South Africans… The new economy after lockdown must prioritise South Africans, but this must not discriminate against non-South Africans either.” “We will assist those who show a willingness to hire staff from SA… Every spaza shop must be licenced to operate, must have a bank account and registered for tax and open itself up for health inspections from the Department of Health.”

Tito Mboweni said when he returned to South Africa from exile in 1990, 8 out of 10 workers at restaurants were South African. Today almost 100% are non-South African, he says. He said the "new economy" post-lockdown must "answer that question", adding establishments must-have new labour market policies in place when the economy reopens. "The proportion of South Africans working in a restaurant must be greater than that of non-South Africans," he says, adding that there must not be discrimination against non-South Africans.