Former minister Pravin Gordhan passes away after battle with cancer

"It is with profound sadness that the Gordhan family announces the passing of former Minister Pravin Gordhan",  reads the statement released by his family.

"Mr Gordhan passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong Comrades in the liberation struggle in the early hours of this morning."

Gordhan passed away at the age of 75.

He was a committed political activist since his teenage years and later served in various cabinet positions during his political career.

He started his life in government politics in March 1999 as the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), a position he held for a decade. 

He has been lauded for transforming the SARS into a world-class tax and customs administration.

He was appointed the Minister of Finance in 2009 and held the position until 2014, and once again from 2015 to 2017.

He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015.

His last portfolio in the South African Cabinet was Minister of Public Enterprises, from 2018 to 2024.

The family adds that 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 remained committed to building and strengthening public institutions to support our Constitutional democracy.

He elected to retire from active politics after this year’s general election to spend time with his family.

After his retirement, Gordhan “fought a short, courageous battle with cancer.”

His family says Gordhan 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.

"He did this with integrity, fearless courage and resilience."

“Bidding those closest to him farewell, Minister Gordhan was emphatic: ‘I have no regrets, no regrets… We have made our contribution,’” adds the statement.

He is survived by his wife Vanitha and his daughters Anisha and Priyesha.

The Gordhan family has requested their privacy be respected during this difficult time of grief.

Funeral arrangements and the details of a media briefing by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, on behalf of the Gordhan family, will be announced in due course.

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