Pravin Gordhan, a key figure in South Africa’s liberation struggle and a government minister for many years, passed away on Friday at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer. His death marks the end of a remarkable political journey that began in the fight against apartheid and spanned decades of public service.
Gordhan, a veteran member of the African National Congress (ANC), was known for his intellect, integrity, and unrelenting commitment to both the liberation of South Africa and the reform of its government institutions. He retired from active politics following the ANC’s historic loss of its parliamentary majority in the May elections, having dedicated much of his life to public service.
In a statement released early Friday, Gordhan’s family confirmed that he passed away peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by his family, friends, and comrades from the liberation struggle. “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,” said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Gordhan’s political activism began in his teenage years when he joined the struggle against apartheid, opposing the oppressive system that defined much of South Africa’s history. In the 1980s, he became involved in the ANC’s underground activities and played a crucial role in negotiating the country’s transition to democracy. Gordhan was part of the historic talks that led to South Africa’s peaceful shift to a constitutional democracy and joined Parliament in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became the nation’s first democratically elected president.
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Throughout his career, Gordhan held several key government positions. He served two terms as South Africa’s Finance Minister, from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. During his time in office, Gordhan gained a reputation for being an outspoken critic of corruption within government and state-owned enterprises, even taking a public stand against former President Jacob Zuma while still serving in his Cabinet.
From 1999 to 2009, Gordhan led the South African Revenue Service (SARS), where he was credited with transforming it into one of the most efficient and respected tax and customs agencies in the world. His efforts in tax reform and economic management helped stabilize the country during times of fiscal difficulty.
Gordhan’s last position in government was as the Minister of Public Enterprises, where he oversaw the management of state-owned companies from 2018 until his retirement in 2024. In this role, he worked to combat corruption and improve transparency within South Africa’s beleaguered public enterprises, many of which had been marred by mismanagement and financial crises.
Despite the challenges Gordhan faced, including personal and political attacks, his dedication to ethical governance and transparency never wavered. His contributions to South Africa’s political landscape have left an indelible mark on the country.
As tributes pour in from across the nation and beyond, Gordhan’s legacy as a leader who fought tirelessly for a democratic, fair, and transparent South Africa will undoubtedly endure. His passing is a reminder of the critical role individuals like him played in shaping the nation’s history, and the work that remains to be done in realizing the ideals for which he fought.
