Life and times of Pravin Gordhan: President Ramaphosa’s special tribute

Pravin Gordhan, the globally renowned two-time South African minister of finance, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 75.

According to a statement released by his family early Friday (13 September 2024), Gordhan “passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong Comrades in the liberation struggle in the early hours of this morning”.

President Cyril Ramaphosa were among throngs of dignitaries who led tributes to the life-long activist, who announced his retirement from active politics following the May general election, at which the ANC lost the parliamentary majority it had enjoyed since the advent of democracy.

The statement reads: “President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to Mr. Gordhan’s spouse, Ms. Vanitha Raju, daughters Anisha and Priyesha, as well as the former Minister’s older brother, Manecklal Gordhan, and sister Shanta Harilal.

“The President’s thoughts are with former Minister Gordhan’s extended family, comrades, associates, and organisations with whom he established relationships as a family and community member, freedom fighter, public sector executive, and Member of the National Executive.”

Gordon served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017. He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 until 2015, and as Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until his March 2024 announcement of planned retirement.

Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.

Gordhan’s Revolutionary Public Service Journey

Gordhan was born in Durban in 1949 and studied for a bachelor of pharmacy degree at the University of Durban-Westville which led to him working at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban from 1974 to 1981.

It was during this time that he became drawn political activism opposing the South African apartheid system, this as he served as an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and military operative in the armed wing of the African National Congress. His activism led to his dismissal from the hospital, as well as detention by police and banning orders. 

During South Africa’s transition to democracy and in the early years of the new dispensation, Gordhan played a leading role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) multi-party dialogue and was later appointed as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee.

Speaking glowingly about his selfless dedication to the South African liberation struggle, Ramaphosa added: “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.

“In the latter years of this service to the nation, and as a beacon of our fight against corruption, Pravin 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.”

– additional Reporting by The Bulrushes.