Pravin Gordhan, South Africa’s former finance minister and a key figure in the anti-apartheid struggle, passed away at the age of 75. His family confirmed that he died in hospital following a short but courageous battle with cancer. Gordhan played a pivotal role in South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy and served in various high-ranking government positions throughout his career.
Pravin Gordhan: Anti-Apartheid Hero and Former Finance Minister Dies at 75
Pravin Gordhan was born in Durban in 1949 to Indian parents who emigrated to South Africa in the 1920s. He became involved in anti-apartheid activism as a pharmacy student in the early 1970s, and by the 1980s, he had risen as a leading figure in the United Democratic Front (UDF), a coalition that played a vital role in the fight against white-minority rule. Gordhan was jailed multiple times for his activism but remained undeterred.
In 1991, he co-chaired the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa), which negotiated the end of apartheid and led to the establishment of a democratic government. His involvement in these historic moments cemented his legacy as one of the key architects of South Africa’s post-apartheid era.
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Between 1999 and 2009, Gordhan led the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and is credited with transforming the agency into an effective institution, essential for the nation’s economic stability. His success at SARS paved the way for his appointment as finance minister in 2009, a position he held until 2014.
As finance minister, Gordhan gained a reputation for fiscal discipline and stability, qualities that earned him the respect of both local and international investors. He briefly returned to the role in 2015 after then-President Jacob Zuma’s controversial decision to appoint David van Rooyen as finance minister caused public outrage and financial market turmoil.
During Zuma’s presidency, Gordhan became a central figure in the fight against “State Capture”—a term used to describe corruption and undue influence over state institutions by private interests, particularly the Gupta family, who were close associates of Zuma.
Gordhan gave crucial testimony at the Zondo Commission, detailing the extent of corruption under Zuma’s leadership. His efforts to resist corruption came at a personal cost, and in 2017, he was removed from his ministerial post in a midnight reshuffle by Zuma.
Despite the political setbacks, Gordhan remained a staunch defender of good governance and accountability. He returned to public service in 2018 under President Cyril Ramaphosa as public enterprises minister, tasked with addressing the financial crises facing state-owned enterprises like Eskom and South African Airways.
Gordhan’s tenure as public enterprises minister was not without challenges. Eskom, the national power utility, continued to struggle with frequent load-shedding, causing frustration across the country. Additionally, his handling of the partial sale of the government’s stake in South African Airways drew criticism.
Although Gordhan faced significant public scrutiny, his long-standing reputation as a stalwart of the African National Congress (ANC) and his earlier contributions to South Africa’s democracy shielded him from the most severe backlash.
In May 2024, Gordhan announced his retirement from politics, expressing no regrets for the work he had done. “We have made our contribution,” he said in a farewell message. His passing comes just months after his retirement, but his legacy as a champion for democracy and a key figure in the fight against corruption remains intact.
President Cyril Ramaphosa led the tributes, calling Gordhan an “outstanding leader” and “beacon of the fight against corruption.” He highlighted Gordhan’s personal sacrifices during the anti-apartheid struggle and his commitment to building a just society. Ramaphosa urged South Africans to remember the values Gordhan stood for, particularly in the ongoing fight against inequality, poverty, and corruption.
Pravin Gordhan is survived by his wife, Vanitha, and their daughters, Anisha and Priyesha. His death marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to South Africa’s liberation, democracy, and good governance.
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