Fellow activists Ravi Pillay, Ela Gandhi and Logie Naidoo pay tribute to their friend and comrade Pravin Gordhan. Picture: David Ritchie
Political activists and friends will remember anti-apartheid activist Pravin Gordhan as "the personification of selfless service" and as a man having "great courage and an unshakeable political integrity".
Gordhan, who retired from politics at the end of the sixth administration of South Africa's democratic government, died on Friday morning following a battle with cancer. He was 75.
In a statement released by the Gordhan family this morning, they said: "Mr Gordhan passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong Comrades in the liberation struggle.
“He was a committed political activist since his teenage years. He elected to retire from active politics after this year’s general election to spend time with his family."
The family said his last portfolio in the South African Cabinet was Minister of Public Enterprises, from 2018 to 2024, after serving two terms as Minister of Finance, from 2009 to 2014, and again from 2015 to 2017. He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015.
"In a distinguished career, from March 1999 to 2009, he was the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and transformed SARS into a world-class tax and customs administration.
"Throughout his career as a political activist - including the multiparty negotiations at CODESA from 1991, as a Member of Parliament from 1994, and later as a Member of the Executive from 2009 – he was committed to building and strengthening public institutions to support our Constitutional democracy. He did this with integrity, fearless courage and resilience.
"He understood that participation in government was not merely a technical or technocratic role. Rather, it was to advance the high public duty that the Constitution bestows on all of us: To uplift the poor, eliminate inequalities, fight racism, greed and corruption, and create a society where social justice and economic emancipation occur within a far-reaching transformation of our society.
"After his retirement, he fought a short, courageous battle with cancer. Bidding those closest to him farewell, Gordhan was emphatic: 'I have no regrets, no regrets… We have made our contribution'."
Gordhan is survived by his wife Vanitha, and his daughters Anisha and Priyesha.
Funeral arrangements and the details of a media briefing will be announced in due course.
Fellow activists, and friends, paid tribute to Gordhan, recalling working alongside him and remembering him as someone who "strived for excellence".
ANC activist Ravi Pillay: "I first met Pravin Gordhan around 1979. It was a time when workshops for young activists were organised even on Christmas day. That was the level of commitment, determination and discipline.
"He would be the first to say that he led with a collective of the most insightful and talented who were motivated by nothing but a moral imperative which Pravin would later call a 'higher purpose'.
"He was our leader then and remained so until his last days. We were fortunate to receive a message from him last Sunday (September 8), on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the Natal Indian Congress. He wanted to be at the event. He was scheduled to be there and would have been there but for his illness.
"I now know that he would have crafted that message, while suffering much physical pain. But that would have been typical of the grit, work ethic and sense of duty that was.
"His message was crystal clear: "It is time for a reset!' and "We must rework a progressive political culture and assert the Congress values of ethical leadership, non-racialism, selfless service and economic justice."
"Pravin has become the personification of selfless service, great courage and an unshakeable political integrity. Not everyone liked him. But everyone respected him. He did not suffer fools lightly and many of us would have felt the lash of his sharp tongue if we fell short of the standards expected.
"He strived for excellence, not just for the sake of excellence or to create an elite group but rather to direct a critical mass of the best talents towards achieving a capable and effective state and thereby improve the lives of our people especially the poor.
"He was a great believer in the effective use of the latest technology in advancing the state and society. A single book will not be adequate to describe the life and work of Pravin and his contribution to the public good.
"This contribution traverses his days as a student, a young activist and then leader of the Natal Indian Congress, builder of civic movements, leading in the UDF, in the ANC underground and Operation Vula, in the Codesa negotiations and member of our first democratic parliament.
"His contribution in the post 1994 democratic era too has been phenomenal. His role in building SARS into a world class organistion is a testament to his leadership and organisational skill - an almost perfect illustration of finding the correct balance between theory and practice.
"He has set the benchmark for public service and good governance. His last message to us was once again providing leadership and direction. In his words, that all those who are progressive "must come together to build consensus around a common platform of progressive politics."
"Pravin has left us a powerful legacy. Let us not betray his courage and sacrifice."
Ela Gandhi, Chairperson of the Gandhi Development and Phoenix Settlement Trusts: "I got to know Pravin from the '60s when he was still a student at the University of Durban-Westville. He was always smiling, pleasant but attentive.
"He and other students used to come home to the Phoenix Settlement to meet with my late former husband Mewa Ramgobin, who was banned at the time, and so they were ostensibly meeting me.
"We all had many political discussions on strategic actions and their pros and cons and what was needed at the time. From the very first time that we met, it was obvious that he had the qualities of a formidable leader. He had a sharp mind, an ardent commitment to the cause of liberation and integrity.
"His analytical ability and keen sense of understanding of situations made him an astute leader. He was at the forefront of organising students and later communities into various actions against the university's conservative administration, organising boycotts of elections to dummy structures such as the South African Indian Council and other such structures as well as the House of delegates.
"He rose rapidly as a sharp strategist and organiser. He was committed to the struggle and was a true patriot and son of South Africa."
ANC activist Logie Naidoo: "Having retired from government, he leaves behind a rich and lasting legacy, of excellence and human dedication. He has left an indelible mark in government affairs and history will extoll all of his virtues. Pravin left his footprints in the continent of Africa and will be celebrated as a stalwart of our Struggle, a great freedom fighter, a giant in our movement and an intellectual great.
"Pravin recruited me into the ANC in 1979 and we all became part of Operation Vula. He developed thousands of activists through his inspirational role in the struggle for human rights and dignity. He spent many a night at our humble flat in Buffelsdale, Tongaat, with my mum and sister in attendance preparing meals at all hours.
"Thank you for your contribution to our country. Thank you for shaping our lives and helping build our rainbow nation. Salute greatness.“
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