Ramaphosa declares official state funeral for Gordhan
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared an official state funeral for former public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan.
He made the announcement at the Union Buildings on Friday during the signing into law of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill.
Seventy-five-year-old Gordhan passed away in the early hours of Friday morning following a short battle against cancer.
The ANC activist retired from politics earlier this year after serving in the public sector for more than two decades.
Ramaphosa told those in attendance that he managed to visit Gordhan on Thursday.
However, he was unable to have a conversation with the struggle stalwart.
“I had the occasion to go and see and spend some time with him last night in hospital as I returned from Cape Town before he passed on. After that, I was able to get a moment to speak to him even though he could no longer hear me.
“It was a sad moment for me to be able to watch him as he was passing on, on his journey to another world," said Ramaphosa.
He described Gordhan as one of South Africa’s most principled and courageous freedom fighters.
“We extend our condolences to his wife Vanitha, his daughters Anisha and Priyesha, and to his family, friends, colleagues and comrades.
“Pravin Gordhan dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom.
“He fought to liberate this country from the shackles of apartheid, from inequality, from poverty and from hunger.
“He was driven by a vision of a society in which all people may achieve their full potential and in which all may realise their dreams," said Ramaphosa.
Gordhan will be laid to rest in Durban next Thursday.
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