Cape Town – Former minister Pravin Gordhan has died at the age of 75, his family announced this morning.
He was admitted to hospital this week after recently being diagnosed with cancer.
Trained as a pharmacist, Gordhan first grabbed the South Africa public’s attention as the no-nonsense head of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), a post in which he served for 10 years. He succeeded Trevor Manuel as finance minister in 2009.
Gordhan was in the thick of the pushback against Jacob Zuma’s State Capture years and was axed by Zuma in 2017 on charges of trying to discredit the then president.
He retired before the May 2024 elections while serving as Minister of Public Enterprises.
“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,” President Ramaphosa said.
“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,” Ramaphosa said.
Tributes also started pouring in from fellow South Africans on social media.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela posted: “He worked selflessly to help bring about democracy and did a stellar job in making SARS a world class institution.”
Shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former minister and struggle stalwart Pravin Gordhan. He worked selflessly to help bring about democracy and did a stellar job in making SARS a world class institution. Heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and… pic.twitter.com/aV53EpKWRG
— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) September 13, 2024
According to the statement from his family, Gordhan “passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong comrades in the liberation struggle”.
News24 reported that the statement said Gordhan’s message to his family and friends was that he had “no regrets, no regrets…We have made our contribution”.
Gorhan is survived by his wife Vanitha Raju and daughters Anisha and Priyesha.
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