Pravin Gordhan, South Africa’s Anti-Corruption Hero, Dies at 75

• Sep 13, 2024

Pravin Gordhan, the widely respected former South African finance minister, has passed away at the age of 75. According to a statement from his family, Gordhan “died peacefully in hospital, surrounded by his family, close friends, and lifelong comrades in the liberation struggle” during the early hours of the morning.

Gordhan held the position of finance minister twice—first from 2009 to 2014 and then from 2015 to 2017. He was recognized both domestically and internationally for his integrity and ability to steer South Africa through a challenging political and economic period, especially during the presidency of Jacob Zuma. Throughout his career, Gordhan earned a reputation for being a stable and honest leader.

From 2018 to 2024, Gordhan served as the minister of public enterprises. In this role, he was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to reform South Africa’s state-owned enterprises, which had been crippled by years of corruption and mismanagement—a period often referred to as "state capture." Gordhan had already made a name for himself earlier in his career, serving as commissioner of the South African Revenue Service from 1999 to 2009.

Known for being open about the difficulties the country faced, Gordhan often advocated for tough economic reforms. He believed these were necessary for South Africa to regain competitiveness and address its significant unemployment challenges. While his candidness won him the respect of investors and international partners, it also made him a target for political attacks back home.

In March, Gordhan announced his retirement from active politics following South Africa’s general election in May. The election marked a historic loss for the African National Congress (ANC), which lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the country's democratic transition. The ANC was then forced into a coalition with the opposition Democratic Alliance.

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the tributes, describing Gordhan as a “beacon of our fight against corruption.” Ramaphosa highlighted Gordhan’s personal sacrifices and the immense contribution he made to South Africa’s democracy. He also emphasized Gordhan's courage in standing up to those who undermined the country’s democratic principles and public resources.

Born in Durban in 1949, Gordhan studied pharmacy at the University of Durban-Westville. Afterward, he worked at King Edward VIII Hospital from 1974 to 1981. During this period, he became heavily involved in student and civic movements opposing apartheid, which led to his dismissal from the hospital, detention by police, and subsequent banning orders.

Gordhan played a key role in South Africa's transition to democracy. He was an influential figure in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and later served as chairperson of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee, helping shape the country’s future.

His death marks the end of a remarkable career, leaving behind a lasting legacy of integrity and service to the nation.