MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE GORDHAN FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF FORMER MINISTER PRAVIN GORDHAN

13 September 2024

Pravin Gordhan

12 April 1949 – 13 September 2024

JOHANNESBURG – It is with profound sadness that the Gordhan family announces the passing of former Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Mr Gordhan passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong Comrades in the liberation struggle in the early hours of this morning.

Mr Gordhan, 75, was a committed political activist since his teenage years. He elected to retire from active politics after this year’s general election to spend time with his family.

His last portfolio in the South African Cabinet was Minister of Public Enterprises, from 2018 to 2024, after serving two terms as Minister of Finance, from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015.

In a distinguished career – from March 1999 to 2009 – he was the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and transformed SARS into a world-class tax and customs administration.

Throughout his career as a political activist – including the multiparty negotiations at CODESA from 1991, as a Member of Parliament from 1994, and later as a Member of the Executive from 2009 – he remained committed to building and strengthening public institutions to support our Constitutional democracy. He did this with integrity, fearless courage and resilience.

He 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.

After his retirement, Minister Gordhan fought a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Bidding those closest to him farewell, Minister Gordhan was emphatic: “I have no regrets, no regrets… We have made our contribution.”

He is survived by his wife Vanitha, his daughters Anisha and Priyesha.

The Gordhan family requests that their privacy be respected during this difficult time of grief.

Funeral arrangements and the details of a media briefing by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, on behalf of the Gordhan family, will be announced in due course.

Statement issued by Adrian Lackay, on behalf of the Gordhan family, 13 September 2024