Pravin Gordhan, a prominent figure in South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and long-time government minister, passed away at the age of 75 after a brief battle with cancer on Friday, September 13th. Gordhan’s legacy spans decades of political activism, beginning with his involvement in the African National Congress (ANC) in the 1980s, when he fought against the apartheid regime.
Gordhan’s contributions to South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy were significant. He was part of the negotiation team that facilitated the peaceful shift to a constitutional democracy in the early 1990s. Following Nelson Mandela’s election as the country’s first democratic president, Gordhan joined the parliament in 1994 and held various key roles, including two terms as finance minister and a decade as the head of the South African Revenue Service.
During his time in public service, Gordhan earned a reputation as a staunch critic of corruption, particularly during Jacob Zuma’s presidency. He was instrumental in exposing widespread corruption tied to Zuma and his associates. Gordhan’s work earned him admiration for his integrity, and he was viewed as a bulwark against the growing problem of state capture that plagued South Africa under Zuma’s leadership.
In 2018, Gordhan was appointed as the Minister of Public Enterprises, a position he held until his retirement in May 2024. His tenure was marked by efforts to reform struggling state-owned enterprises, including Eskom and South African Airways, both of which faced severe financial and operational challenges during his time in office.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his tribute, hailed Gordhan as a “stalwart of the liberation movement” and commended his dedication to building a more just society. Gordhan is survived by his wife, Vanitha, and their two daughters, Anisha and Priyesha.
