Veteran cabinet minister Pravin Gordhan has passed away at the age of 75 after a short battle with cancer. His family confirmed he died early Friday morning, surrounded by close relatives, friends, and comrades from his liberation struggle days.
Gordhan, who retired from politics earlier this year to spend more time with his family, was known for his role in shaping South Africa’s post-apartheid government. He is survived by his wife, Vanitha, and their daughters, Anisha and Priyesha.
Born on April 12, 1949, in Durban, Gordhan trained as a pharmacist at the University of Durban-Westville and later completed a postgraduate diploma in economics at the London School of Economics. His political activism began in the 1970s as a member of the ANC and SACP underground movements, leading to multiple detentions by the apartheid regime. In 1981, he spent 160 days in solitary confinement.
Gordhan played a pivotal role in the Codesa talks, which led to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. He also co-chaired the Transitional Executive Council, which helped prepare the country for that historic election.
His political career included serving as minister of public enterprises and cooperative governance. He also served as finance minister before being ousted by former president Jacob Zuma in a controversial decision. As head of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Gordhan was praised for improving revenue collection and modernizing the institution.
In 2022, while presenting the public enterprises budget, Gordhan reflected on the impact of state capture, condemning corruption and calling for the rebuilding of the country’s institutions.
Veteran cabinet minister Pravin Gordhan has passed away at the age of 75 after a short battle with cancer. His family confirmed he died early Friday morning, surrounded by close relatives, friends, and comrades from his liberation struggle days.
Gordhan, who retired from politics earlier this year to spend more time with his family, was known for his role in shaping South Africa’s post-apartheid government. He is survived by his wife, Vanitha, and their daughters, Anisha and Priyesha.
Born on April 12, 1949, in Durban, Gordhan trained as a pharmacist at the University of Durban-Westville and later completed a postgraduate diploma in economics at the London School of Economics. His political activism began in the 1970s as a member of the ANC and SACP underground movements, leading to multiple detentions by the apartheid regime. In 1981, he spent 160 days in solitary confinement.
Gordhan played a pivotal role in the Codesa talks, which led to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. He also co-chaired the Transitional Executive Council, which helped prepare the country for that historic election.
His political career included serving as minister of public enterprises and cooperative governance. He also served as finance minister before being ousted by former president Jacob Zuma in a controversial decision. As head of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Gordhan was praised for improving revenue collection and modernizing the institution.
In 2022, while presenting the public enterprises budget, Gordhan reflected on the impact of state capture, condemning corruption and calling for the rebuilding of the country’s institutions.
