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Messages of condolences have continued to pour in for the late cabinet minister Pravin Gordhan who passed on, aged 75, after a battle with cancer.
Gordhan’s family describe him as a committed political activist since his teenage years who understood that participation in government was not merely a technical or technocratic role.
“Rather, it was to advance the high public duty that the Constitution bestows on all of us: to uplift the poor, eliminate inequalities, fight racism, greed and corruption, and create a society where social justice and economic emancipation occur within a far-reaching transformation of our society,” the family said in a statement.
Pravin announced in March that he won’t be part of the cabinet post May elections following his retirement. His last portfolio was as public enterprises minister from 2018 until recently.
He served two terms as finance minister from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. He also served as cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister from 2017 to 2015. From March 1999 to 2009, Gordhan was the commissioner of the revenue service.
He is survived by his wife Vanitha, his daughters Anisha and Priyesha.
President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Gordhan whom he said got to spend time with just before he passed and further extended condolences to the family.
“He was one of the most principled and courageous freedom fighters that our nation has known. Pravin Gordhan dedicated his life to the struggle and freedom of our people.
“He fought to liberate this country from the shackles of apartheid from inequality, poverty. He is one person who was driven by vision of a society in which all people may achieve their full potential and realise their dreams,” the president uttered.
The Economic Freedom Fighters said Gordhan was the embodiment of greed, corruption, and elitism whose tenure as minister of public enterprises was a period of unparalleled disaster for every state-owned enterprise he touched.
“Under his leadership, Eskom became a shadow of its former self, plunging this country into a permanent state of load-shedding, while blackouts shattered livelihoods and businesses across the nation.
“Transnet, which once facilitated the efficient movement of goods, is now in ruins, barely able to function. Denel, a proud defence company, was brought to its knees, while SAA, our national airline, was sold off in a corrupt deal that reeks of treason,” national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys stated.
“The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is deeply saddened by the passing of former Cabinet Minister, Pravin Gordhan. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time,” the IFP wrote.
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Sport minister and Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie said; “I disagreed with Pravin Gordhan politically, we saw the emancipation economically of our people from different lenses and strategy.
“We shared a stage before his passing and we had very good things to say about each other, you have made your contribution, thank you and Mooiloop Cadre.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation highlighted that Gordhan will be remembered as a principled and courageous leader,
“Someone who stood firm against those intent on using power to capture the state for private interests. He’ll be sorely missed. Hamba kahle qhawe lamaqhawe!,” NMF added.
“I had an opportunity to engage Pravin Gordhan in multiple sittings, some being in parliament and others in consultation regarding the future of this country.
“I found him always forthright, determined to put this country first. Ultimately as a servant of the people we all owe him a great deal of gratitude with respect to his role in fighting against state capture.
“His earnest appeal to all of us to always connect the dot and follow where acts of criminality take place and stabilisation of the revenue service,” Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane concluded.
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