Derek Keys Explained

Derek Keys
Office:Minister of Finance
President:F. W. de Klerk
Nelson Mandela
Term Start:May 1992
Term End:19 September 1994
Predecessor:Barend du Plessis
Successor:Chris Liebenberg
Birth Name:Derek Lyle Keys
Birth Date:1931 8, df=yes
Birth Place:Johannesburg, South Africa
Alma Mater:University of the Witwatersrand

Derek Lyle Keys (30 August 1931 – 29 April 2018)[1] [2] was a South African politician who served as Minister of Finance from 1992 to September 1994, in the cabinets of F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela.

Early life

Born in Johannesburg, he attended the University of Witwatersrand where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1950. By 1954, he qualified as a chartered accountant.

Career

Keys joined the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa in 1956.[3] In the subsequent eight years he was involved in the development of many of the major South African industries. Until 1986 Keys played largely advisory roles for several international and local companies operating in South Africa as a management consultant.[3] During these 21 years he joined the boards of, among others, Asea, Sandvik, and Sappi.[4]

Prior to becoming a cabinet minister, he had been the executive chairman of Gencor from 1986 until 1991.[3] [5]

In December 1991 Keys was appointed Minister of Economic Co-ordination and of Trade and Industry.[3] [6] In May 1992, the portfolio of Minister of Finance was added to Keys' tasks.[3] He had previously served on government bodies in an advisory capacity, including the commission for electricity, the Tax Advisory Committee and the State Presidents' Economic Advisory Council.

Keys resigned shortly on 6 July 1994, and was replaced by banker Chris Liebenberg on 19 September.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former finance minister Derek Keys dies.
  2. Web site: Derek Lyle Keys profile. 14 August 2012. sahistory.org.za. 30 April 2018.
  3. News: Waldmeir. Patti. Evangelist of Good Sense. 19 April 1993. Financial Times. Gawith. Philip. Gale Cengage Learning.
  4. Web site: Keys, Derek Lyle. nelsonmandela.org.
  5. Web site: Gencor Ltd. - Company Profile. referenceforbusiness.com. 30 April 2018.
  6. Web site: Cabinet is reshuffled, and the head of the mining house Gencor, Derek Keys, is appointed Minister of Trade and Industry.. jonas. 5 December 2011. www.sahistory.org.za.
  7. Web site: Finance Minister Derek Keys resigns and former banker, Chris Liebenberg takes his place..