President Ramaphosa commends Gordhan for his life of activism

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent out his condolences to Pravin Gordhan’s family, saying that the country has lost an outstanding leader.

Gordhan passed away peacefully in hospital in the early hours of this morning. He was surrounded by his family, close friends and lifelong comrades.

Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to Gordhan’s wife, Ms Vanitha Raju, his daughters Anisha and Priyesha and his siblings.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya elaborates, “South Africa has 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 fueled his service to the nation.”

The President’s thoughts are with former Minister Gordhan’s extended family.

President @CyrilRamaphosa is deeply saddened by the passing of lifelong activist and former Minister of Public Enterprises Mr Pravin Gordhan, who has passed away at the age of 75, following a period of illness. https://t.co/vW8raAgZ6B

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) September 13, 2024

Gordhan’s career in Public Administration

Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017.

He served as the 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.

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

Gordhan as a ‘Committed political activist’

Apartheid stalwart

Gordhan’s contribution to the public sector arose from his involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, including his role in student and civic movements in the 1970s and ‘80s, as an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and military military operative in the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC).

During the dawn of South Africa’s new Democracy in the early years of the new dispensation, Mr 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.

Life of Activism

More than 50 years ago he graduated from the University of Durban-Westville with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree which led to him working at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban from 1974 to 1981.

In the early 1980s, his activism led to his dismissal from the hospital, as well as detention by police and banning orders.

Ramaphosa says, “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 says Gordhan was 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,” adds Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa commended Gordhan for his sacrifices, service, and his vision that dictates our Constitution.

Tributes

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Executive Director of the Foundation, Neeshan Bolton says “It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation received the news of the passing of comrade Pravin Gordhan.

Bolton says Pravin indicated that he would like to be remembered as just an activist who grew up in the streets of Central Durban and who had the opportunity to contribute as a lifelong activist to build a changing SA and to also build the institutions of democracy as one small contribution.

“We will remember PG for these and much more. His mantra of serving for a higher purpose must become the mantra for all who share these ideals and aspirations.”

BREAKING NEWS: Former Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has died at the age of 75. Gordhan died in hospital this morning surrounded by his family. pic.twitter.com/rA21v1wOIP

— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 13, 2024

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