The
Honourable Timothy T.Thahane was born at Mpharane, Leribe
district, on November 2, 1940.
His interest in figures and matters financial developed and
took root years ago, having graduated with a Bachelor of
Arts (Honours) in Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce
(Management and labour Relations) from Memorial University
of Newfoundland, St.Johns, Canada, in 1967 and, a year later
a Master's degree in Economics from the University of
Toronto.
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St.Johns awarded him an
LLD (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contributions to
finance in 1999.
Dr.Thahane was Director of Planning in the Central Planning
and Development department in the Prime Minister's Office
from 1968 to 1973, responsible for, amongst others, the
preparation of the First Transitional National Development
Plan 1970 - 1974. It was also during this time that he
served as Lesotho's Alternate Governor to the World Bank
Group. He was also, during this period (1969 - 1974), the
country's Representative on the Administrative Council of
the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment
Disputes (ICSID) and Member of the Panel of Conciliators.
He was appointed the country's ambassador to the then
European Economic Commission (EEC) in Brussels from 1973 to
1974. The following two years saw Dr.Thahane as an Alternate
Executive Director for Africa Group 1 in the World Bank
Group, finally an Executive Director for the Africa Group 1
from 1976 to 1978. In this position he served as Vice
Chairman of the Joint Audit Committee.
From 1978 to 1980, he served as Lesotho's ambassador to the
United States, moving on later in 1980, to become Vice
President and Secretary to the Work Bank and its Affiliates.
During the 16 years that he was here, Dr.Thahane served on
the Financial Policy; Managing; Reorganisation Steering;
Personnel and Administration; Policy and Research Committees
as well as becoming a Member of the President's Council.
Headhunted by the new South Africa, Dr.Thahane became Deputy
Governor of that country's Reserve Bank from 1996 until
2001. He was appointed to the Lesotho Cabinet as Minister of
Finance and development Planning in 2002, a position he
holds to date.
Other
Professional Activities
1969 – 1976 Attended Annual Commonwealth Finance Ministers
and Senior Finance Officials Conferences; participated in
setting up of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical
Cooperation in 1969.
Participated in the United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa (UN-ECA) Panel of Experts on “Intra-African
Cooperation and Africa’s Relations with the European
Economic Community (EEC)” and in various Africa Economic and
Technical meetings organized by the African Economic
Commission for Africa.
Addressed and lectured at various International and Regional
Professional and Development Seminars and Conferences in
Africa, Europe, U.S.A and Asia.
Professional Papers And Publications
1998 - “Financial Cooperation in SADC” in South Africa and
Southern Africa; Regional Integration and emerging Markets,
the South African Institute of International Affairs,
Johannesburg.
1998 T.T Thahane and E.J Van der Merwe, “Mercosur and SADC:
Investment and Trade Linkages” paper presented at the
Conference of “Mercosur and SADC” organized by the South
African Institute of International Affairs, Johannesburg.
1988 “International Labour Migration in Southern Africa” in
Migration and Development: The Unsettled Relationship”
edited by Demetrios G. Papademetriou, Greenwood Press, New
Jersey.
1975 “The Impact of Major Factors of International Economy
on African Economic Development”, in Perspectives in
Afro-German Relations, Friedrich-Eberstiftung, Bonn.
1974 “Development Planning” in Accelerated Development in
Southern Africa, edited by John Barratt, et. Al., Macmillan,
London.
1973 “Lesotho: The Realities of Land-Lockedness” in Land
Locked Countries of Africa edited by Zdenek, Cervenka; the
Scandmavian Institute of African Studies, Uppsala.
1967 “The Role of Institutions in Manpower Training and
Utilization; prepared for the Royal Commission on the
Economic Prospects of Newfoundland, St. Johns, Newfoundaland.
“Collective Bargaining Provisions in Major Manufacturing
Industries in Canada”, paper prepared for Department of
Labour and Manpower, Ottawa. |