President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed Pravin Gordhan as a beacon in the country’s fight against corruption, and an outstanding leader, who was dedicated to making South Africa a better place.

Gordhan passed away in the early hours of this morning at the age of 75, after a short battle with cancer.

His family confirmed he passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong Comrades in the liberation struggle.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, Ramaphosa said he is mourning the loss of an “outstanding leader whose unassuming persona belied the depth of intellect, integrity and energy with which he undertook his activism, his duty as a parliamentarian and his roles as a member of Cabinet.”

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

Ramaphosa also addressed Gordhan’s vehement fight against corruption and state capture.

Gordhan was famously fired as Finance Minister by former President Jacob Zuma in 2017, who then hired Malusi Gigaba as his replacement, leading to a market crash and exposed deep divisions in the ANC.

Ramaphosa and Gordhan had publicly opposed Zuma’s decision to replace him as finance Minister. Gigaba’s appointment also opened the door to the age of rampant state capture.

Ramaphosa lauded Gordhan for standing his ground during this time, even as he was facing attacks from the Zuma faction.

“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 has extended his deep condolences to Gordhan’s family:

“During his decades of revolutionary dedication to making South Africa a better place, Pravin Gordhan and his family were deprived of much needed and deserved time together.

“As we mourn his passing, we remain grateful for his life of sacrifice and service and his sustained striving for the realisation of the vision and dictates of our Constitution.

“We carry his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

Gordhan leaves behind his wife Vanitha Raju, and daughters Anisha and Priyesha.

Meanwhile, the ANC has dipped its banners as it mourns the passing of Gordhan, whom the party has described as a “courageous soldier” of the movement who dedicated his life fighting for and in the service of South Africans.

Tributes are pouring in from across the political spectrum. Premier Alan Winde says Gordhan was a man of the utmost integrity.

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Mr Gordhan when I served as the Western Cape Minister of Finance,” said Premier Winde, adding, “he was always willing to engage our government constructively, despite our differences on policy. Mr Gordhan will be sorely missed.”

The Premier stated, “In his numerous positions, whether it was in national government or as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, Mr Gordhan worked with integrity, purpose and dedication. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

The GOOD Party’s Leader Patricia de Lille also extended her condolences.

“Gordhan spent most of his life fighting against injustice, toward a free and better South Africa for all. His leadership during the transition to democracy and later in the public sector reflected unwavering integrity and dedication to his country. As South Africans, we are grateful for his service and, in particular, his commitment and resilience in fighting corruption. South Africa has lost a leader whose deep loyalty to our Constitution will never be forgotten.”

A live of service

• Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017.
• He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 until 2015, and as Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until his March 2024 announcement of planned retirement.
• Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.
• His contribution to the public sector arose from his involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, including his role in student and civic movements in the 1970s and ‘80s, as an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and military military operative in the armed wing of the African National Congress.
• During South Africa’s transition to democracy and in the early years of the new dispensation, he played a leading role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) multi-party dialogue and was later appointed as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee.
• 2023 marked 50 years since Mr Gordhan graduated from the University of Durban-Westville with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree which led to him working at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban from 1974 to 1981.
• In the early 1980s, Gordhan’s activism led to his dismissal from the hospital, as well as detention by police and banning orders.