Yesterday, we told you that Former Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan had been hospitalised on Tuesday. A key figure in South Africa’s fight against state capture, Gordhan passed away aged 75 on Friday morning in Johannesburg.
The news of his death comes just days after vigils were held in Johannesburg and Durban, where friends, colleagues, and activists prayed for his recovery.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sadness at Gordhan’s passing, offering his condolences to Gordhan’s family. The President honoured Gordhan’s lifelong service to South Africa, noting his contributions as a freedom fighter, public sector executive, and member of the National Executive. He praised Gordhan’s unwavering courage in the face of corruption, acknowledging his and his family’s personal sacrifices. “In the latter years of this service to the nation, and as a beacon of our 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.”
Gordhan was a towering figure in the fight for democracy, with a legacy spanning decades of political activism, governance, and an unwavering commitment to clean governance.
At a vigil held at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, activists and colleagues honoured Gordhan’s contributions to the fight against state capture and corruption. From his days with the Natal Indian Congress to his leadership at SARS and as Public Enterprises Minister, he was a steadfast defender of democracy. Catherine Hunter-Shubane of Defend Our Democracy recalled Gordhan’s powerful stand during the height of state capture: “Our souls are not for sale. Our country is not for sale.”
His work with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) like Eskom and South African Airways (SAA) will forever be part of his legacy. Gordhan faced enormous challenges trying to reform Eskom, which was plagued by corruption and inefficiency and was often criticised for its slow pace of recovery. Similarly, at SAA, his attempts to steer the airline through restructuring amid mismanagement controversies were fraught with difficulties.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) also mourned the loss of Gordhan, highlighting his immense contribution to South Africa’s liberation and democratic journey. DA Deputy Federal Chairperson Ashor Sarupen, MP, reflected on Gordhan’s transformative leadership as SARS Commissioner, where he built a world-class revenue service and his resilience as Finance Minister during the fight against state capture. “His bravery in the face of immense pressure, as he stood firm to safeguard the nation’s future, is an inspiration to all of us who strive for good governance and integrity.”
Sarupen honoured Gordhan’s commitment to protecting democratic institutions and acknowledged the cross-party significance of his legacy.
The Economic Freedom Fighters were less than kind, however. They called Gordhan “the embodiment of greed, corruption, and elitism” and said that his tenure as public enterprise minister was “a period of unparalleled disaster for every state-owned enterprise he touched.”
Gordhan was praised and vindicated for standing up against state capture. In 2018, Ramaphosa appointed Gordhan Minister of Public Enterprises, where he oversaw troubled state-owned enterprises like Eskom and SAA. Despite his efforts to reform these entities, they continued to struggle under financial strain and governance issues, which became key points of criticism during his tenure and saw his previous reputation as an anti-corruption crusader somewhat tainted.
