Pravin Gordhan, a key figure in South Africa’s fight against corruption and a respected former finance minister, has passed away at the age of 75.
According to a family statement, Gordhan “passed away peacefully in hospital, surrounded by his family, closest friends, and lifelong comrades from the liberation struggle.”
Gordhan, who was also the founding commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), di3d on Friday morning following a recent cancer diagnosis. He had been receiving treatment at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg.
The statement from his family highlighted Gordhan’s contentment with his contributions, saying he had “no regrets… We have made our contribution.” He is survived by his wife, Vanitha, and his daughters, Anisha and Priyesha.
Gordhan’s career was marked by his staunch resistance to state capture and corruption, particularly during the tenure of former president Jacob Zuma and the Gupta family’s influence.
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As finance minister from December 2015 to March 2017, Gordhan and his team at National Treasury were pivotal in defending against the complete takeover of state institutions.
In his final government role as Minister of Public Enterprises, Gordhan faced challenges with struggling parastatals like Eskom and South African Airways, which were marred by mismanagement and corruption.
Gordhan’s legacy includes his transformative work at SARS, where he served as the first commissioner from 1998 to 2009.
Under his leadership, SARS became a globally recognized institution for innovation in tax collection, which helped fund key public services and infrastructure projects.
Appointed as finance minister in 2009, following Trevor Manuel, Gordhan was seen as a guardian of fiscal prudence and responsible spending. However, his tenure faced significant challenges, and he was later moved to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2014.
Gordhan’s career was defined by his unwavering commitment to public service and his fight against corruption, leaving a lasting impact on South Africa’s political and economic landscape.
