 The Rand/Dollar exchange rate was at a low point and the land was shrouded in a general drought, with exports were dropping significantly.In 1985 he was charged with the task of restructuring South African international credit so foreign banks could extend short-term credit to South Africa.He served as Finance Minister in the latter part of P. W. Botha's cabinet and in the first part of F. W. de Klerk 's administration.