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Former Indian-origin South African minister and anti-apartheid activist, dies at 75
Gordhan's involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle was integral to his rise in public service.
Pravin Gordhan / Image- Wikipedia
Former South African minister and lifelong activist, Pravin Gordhan, has passed away at the age of 75 after a prolonged illness.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa mourned Gordhan’s death, expressing deep sorrow and offering condolences to his family.
“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,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
Gordhan, widely recognized for his role in standing up to former President Jacob Zuma during his scandal-ridden tenure, served in multiple cabinet positions throughout his career including Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017.
He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015, and as Minister of Public Enterprises from 2018 until his retirement in March 2024.
Gordhan's involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle was integral to his rise in public service. As a student and civic leader in the 1970s and '80s, he was an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and a military operative in the African National Congress' armed wing.
His activism during this period resulted in his dismissal from the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban and multiple detentions by the apartheid government.
Reflecting on Gordhan’s impact on South Africa’s democratic transition, Ramaphosa noted, “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.”
Gordhan played a key role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and later chaired the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee. His steadfast efforts in government were pivotal in shaping South Africa’s post-apartheid landscape.
In 1999, Gordhan was appointed Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, following his time as Deputy Commissioner, marking the beginning of his significant contribution to the public sector.
In his later years, Gordhan was at the forefront of South Africa’s battle against corruption. His uncompromising stance during Zuma’s presidency earned him widespread admiration. President Ramaphosa described him as “a beacon of our fight against corruption,” adding, “As we mourn his passing, we remain grateful for his life of sacrifice and service.”
Gordhan is survived by his wife, daughters, and extended family.
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