President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness over the death of Pravin Gordhan, a lifelong activist and former Minister of Public Enterprises.
Gordhan passed away in hospital early on Friday morning after a battle with cancer, at the age of 75.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged his substantial sacrifices and contributions to South Africa’s progress and expressed gratitude for his lifelong service and commitment to the country’s democratic ideals.
“We have lost an outstanding leader whose unassuming persona belied the depth of intellect, integrity and energy with which he undertook his activism, his duty as a parliamentarian and his roles as a member of Cabinet.
“Pravin Gordhan’s personal sacrifices and his endeavours and achievements in various sectors of our society endowed him with the insights, empathy and resilience that fuelled his service to the nation,” Ramaphosa said.
The President added; “Gordhan stood up to derision and threats emanating from some in our nation who were scorched by his insistence that justice be dispensed against those who sought to undermine our democracy and raid our public resources and assets.
“During his decades of revolutionary dedication to making South Africa a better place, Pravin Gordhan and his family were deprived of much-needed and deserved time together.
“As we mourn his passing, we remain grateful for his life of sacrifice and service and his sustained striving for the realisation of the vision and dictates of our Constitution.
“We carry his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”
Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. He was also Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015 and Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until he announced his retirement in March 2024.
He was also Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in 1999 and had previously served as Deputy Commissioner.
Gordhan’s public service began with his involvement in the anti-apartheid movement, including student and civic activism in the 1970s and 1980s.
He was an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and participated in the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). He played a significant role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and was later Chairperson of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee.