By Phenyo Selinda
Durban – President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially granted a state funeral for the late Pravin Gordhan, a stalwart in the South African government, who passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer. The funeral will take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, where Gordhan was born and where he began his long journey as an activist and public servant.
Gordhan’s death in the early hours of Friday, September 13, 2024, has sent ripples of grief across the nation. Speaking during a Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill signing ceremony, President Ramaphosa lauded Gordhan as one of South Africa’s most principled and courageous leaders, saying that the nation had lost a visionary who spent his life fighting for democracy and social justice.
“South Africans woke up to the sad news of the passing of former Minister Pravin Gordhan,” Ramaphosa shared. The President recalled his final visit to Gordhan’s hospital bedside the night before his death, describing it as a deeply personal and somber moment. “I was able to speak to him, even though he could no longer hear me,” the President added, underscoring his close friendship with Gordhan.
Tributes Pour In
As tributes flood in from political parties, civil society, and business leaders, Gordhan’s legacy as a relentless fighter against corruption and state capture remains a common theme. The African National Congress (ANC) hailed Gordhan as a stalwart whose contributions in government were essential in protecting South Africa’s democratic institutions. His former colleagues, including Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, expressed deep admiration for Gordhan’s unyielding integrity during times of political turbulence.
ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba commended Gordhan for his dedication to fiscal discipline during his tenure as Finance Minister, especially his bold stance against state capture. Mashaba referred to Gordhan as a “steadfast champion of South Africa’s economic stability”, a sentiment shared by many political leaders.
Meanwhile, RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi praised Gordhan for his courage in standing up to corruption, particularly during former President Jacob Zuma’s administration. Zibi highlighted Gordhan’s pivotal role in mobilizing political and public support against the state capture scandal that plagued South Africa.
EFF’s Controversial Response
While many across the political spectrum have expressed sorrow over Gordhan’s passing, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) took a decidedly different tone. The EFF has had a long-standing adversarial relationship with Gordhan, primarily due to his role in state-owned enterprises such as South African Airways (SAA) and Eskom. The party released a scathing statement in which they said they “will not shed tears” for Gordhan. Leigh Anne Mathys, EFF MP, condemned Gordhan for his alleged complicity in the struggles faced by ordinary South Africans due to his role in public enterprises.
The EFF’s harsh critique was balanced by praise from other quarters, including Transnet and SAA officials, who honored Gordhan for his leadership during difficult times in both entities. SAA interim CEO John Lamola described Gordhan as a “patriot” whose dedication to preserving the national carrier during the pandemic and the airline’s restructuring will not be forgotten.
A Lifetime of Service
Pravin Gordhan’s political career spanned more than five decades, beginning in the 1970s during the height of the anti-apartheid movement. His activism saw him rise to prominence in the *Natal Indian Congress, where he worked closely with figures such as **Ahmed Kathrada. He later became a key figure in South Africa’s transition to democracy, playing a significant role in the *CODESA negotiations that helped lay the groundwork for the country’s democratic constitution.
In government, Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. His tenure is widely remembered for his efforts to maintain fiscal discipline and combat corruption within the state apparatus. His final role was as Minister of Public Enterprises from 2018 until his retirement in early 2024. Throughout his career, Gordhan remained a staunch advocate for public accountability and transparency in governance.
Funeral Arrangements
The Gordhan family has requested privacy during this time of mourning, with details of the funeral service set to be released by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. The foundation, which Gordhan worked with throughout his career, will play a central role in honoring his legacy during the state funeral .
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