FAMILY STATEMENT on former Minister Pravin Gordhan’s passing

According to a family statement released early Friday morning, former Minister Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loved ones. He was 75.

Media statement:

A committed political activist since his teenage years, Gordhan opted to retire from active politics following the May general elections.

His last portfolio was in the South African cabinet as the Minister of Public Enterprises. He also served terms as the Finance Minister and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

Reacting to the news is Gordhan’s close friend and Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Neeshan Balton. “Even though we accepted this, the loss is not easy to bear. It’s a huge loss for this country and for democracy in general.”

Bolton says Gordhan was visited by President Cyril Ramaphosa last night.

“His last visitor late last night was the president. And he passed away peacefully at I think just past 3 this morning. We will be holding a press briefing at 12:00 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation where we will share some of that information.”