South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in a pre-Budget press conference on Wednesday warned that “it can take many years to build a solid institution but a short time to mess it up”. It does matter who the team is that leads an organisation, how their team works together and generates ideas, he said. Gordhan was responding to questions over whether it matters who leads Treasury for the 2017 Budget Review and Estimates of National Expenditure to be implemented.

Gordhan added that there are certain institutions that shouldn’t be messed with – they include Treasury and revenue collection.

Since Gordhan was reappointed finance minister in December 2015 rumours have been rife over whether he and his Deputy Mcebisi Jonas will retain their jobs as they allegedly are not swayed by the powerful and politically connected Gupta family.

Gordhan argued that treasuries whether in the public or private sector are indispensable to well-functioning organisations.

Jonas weighed in on the discussion saying that all the political noise has an impact on what Treasury does.

Lungisa Fuzile, Director-General of Treasury said he has been in his position for almost six years during which time he has served under four ministers, this he argues has affected morale. It takes time to build chemistry with ministers, when there is high turnover it damages morale, he revealed.