PRAVIN Gordhan, South Africa’s former finance minister and veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, has died at the age of 75 after a brief battle with cancer, his family announced on Friday. Gordhan passed away in hospital early in the morning, surrounded by family, close friends, and long-time comrades from the liberation movement.
Gordhan, who played a key role in South Africa’s transition to democracy, was instrumental in negotiating the end of apartheid in the early 1990s. He later held several top government positions, including serving as finance minister from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. He was known for his efforts to stabilise the country’s economy and his fierce stance against corruption, particularly during former President Jacob Zuma’s controversial administration.
Throughout his career, Gordhan was a pivotal figure in the South African government, credited with turning around the South African Revenue Service (SARS) between 1999 and 2009, making it an effective and credible institution. His return as finance minister in 2015 followed a brief period of instability after Zuma’s appointment of a relatively unknown figure, David van Rooyen, to the post—a decision that was widely criticised.
Gordhan’s political career saw him become a symbol of resistance against the widespread corruption known as ‘State Capture’ during Zuma’s presidency. His outspoken opposition led to his dismissal in a 2017 midnight cabinet reshuffle, widely seen as an attempt by Zuma to remove him due to his efforts to combat corruption within the government.
Born in 1949 in Durban, Gordhan was the son of Indian immigrants and became involved in the anti-apartheid struggle as a student in the 1970s. He was a key member of the United Democratic Front (UDF), a coalition of anti-apartheid organisations, and was jailed multiple times for his activism. In 1991, Gordhan co-chaired the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa), which negotiated the end of apartheid and the formation of a democratic government.
Despite his celebrated legacy, Gordhan faced challenges in his later political career. As Minister of Public Enterprises from 2018, he oversaw troubled state-owned enterprises such as Eskom and South African Airways (SAA). The rolling blackouts at Eskom and difficulties in SAA’s restructuring led to criticism of his management. Nonetheless, many allies defended him, pointing to the systemic issues plaguing these institutions.
Sheila Sisulu, South Africa’s former ambassador to the United States, remarked, ‘He didn’t do his work to be liked. He did it because that’s what he was there for.’
Angelo Fick, a political analyst, noted that Gordhan’s reputation as a stalwart of the ANC shielded him from more severe criticism. ‘Anyone else would certainly have been thought to have fallen foul,’ Fick told the BBC.
In his final years, Gordhan announced his retirement ahead of the May 2024 elections, stepping back from public life. Reflecting on his career, he expressed no regrets, saying, ‘We have made our contribution.’
Tributes poured in following his death. President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed Gordhan as an ‘outstanding leader’ and praised his unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption. ‘He fought to liberate this country from the shackles of apartheid, from inequality, poverty, and hunger,’ Ramaphosa said, urging the nation to remember the personal sacrifices Gordhan made for a better South Africa.
Gordhan is survived by his wife Vanitha and their daughters Anisha and Priyesha.
