He has no formal economic training and was best known as an ANC political organiser, but in the 11 years since he became finance minister Trevor Manuel has become – by some accounts – the main force keeping the South African economy on a stable footing.

The takeover of the ruling African National Congress in December by Jacob Zuma and his allies marks a shift toward the left and away from the technocratic economic stewardship of President Thabo Mbeki, Mr Manuel, and Tito Mboweni, the equally respected central bank governor.