Ramaphosa says Gordhan was leader with humility, courage
President Cyril Ramaphosa has remembered the late Pravin Gordhan as someone whose humility made him a great human being.
On Thursday, Ramaphosa delivered the late ANC stalwart's eulogy at his funeral service at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
Gordhan passed on last week after a battle with cancer.
“Leaders who accept the responsibility to lead with humility, commitment and courage, these are leaders who speak up when they must but also listen to our people's voices attentively. Such leaders are people who stand up for what is right, even at great personal cost to themselves. That is who Pravin was.”
Ramaphosa said Gordhan played an important role in South Africa's peaceful transition to democracy.
Gordhan joined the struggle during the Apartheid era and became an activist in the Natal Indian Congress and the South African Communist Party.
The late ANC stalwart held various ministerial posts in the country's cabinet.
He served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014, and again from 2015 until 2017, as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 until 2015, and as Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until June 2024.
“He played an important role in our country’s peaceful transition to democracy, contributing positively at all times without sacrificing any of his principles. He was one of the architects at the end of our democratic constitution, both at a political level and organising level, running the administration as well,” said the president.
Ramaphosa said South Africans can draw many lessons from Pravin Gordhan's life and political activism.
“The most fitting tribute we can pay Pravin is to reflect on our own actions, to consider what we can and should each do to serve our people and country better. These are the issues we must reflect as we bid farewell to this great son of our country.”
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