South African anti-apartheid activist Pravin Gordhan dies at 75

By Hassan Isilow

Former South African anti-apartheid activist Pravin Gordhan has died, his family said on Friday. He was 75.

According to a family statement, the ex-minister passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his long-time comrades in the liberation struggle. He had cancer.

Gordhan occupied important ministerial positions in the South African government until he retired from politics after this year’s general elections in May.

His last portfolio in Cabinet was that of public enterprises minister from 2018- 2024, after serving two terms as finance minister in 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017. He also served as minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

The ruling African National Congress party (ANC) that he belonged to said in a statement “The ANC dips its banners as it mourns the passing of comrade Pravin Gordhan , a courageous soldier of our movement who dedicated his life fighting for and in service of our people.’’

President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is deeply saddened by Gordhan’s passing, offering his deep condolences to his family. He announced an official funeral for the former minister.

“Pravin Gordhan’s personal sacrifices and his endeavors and achievements in various sectors of our society endowed him with the insights, empathy and resilience that fuelled his service to the nation,’’ Ramaphosa said.

He said Gordhan was a beacon of South Africa’s fight against corruption. “Pravin Gordhan stood up to derision and threats emanating from some in our nation who were scorched by his insistence that justice be dispensed against those who sought to undermine our democracy and raid our public resources and assets,’’ the president said.

Gordhan is survived by his wife Vanitha Raju and two daughters Anisha and Priyesha, as well as his older brother, Manecklal Gordhan, and sister Shanta Harilal.