Pravin Gordhan who was a prominent South African
Politician and an icon of anti-apartheid struggle died on September the 13 2024
aged seventy-five years. Pravin Gordhan will be remembered for his leadership, activism and
service as a public figure who spent most of his lifetime advocating for
justice and the fight against corruption while standing for equality and
fairness.
Pravin Gordhan has been with the SACP and formally joined
the ANC in 2009. Pravin Gordhan was very passionate for the dream of having a free and
democratic South Africa which he struggled for with some of the most
influential activists of the nation.
After apartheid, Pravin Gordhan switched to public service
where he left an imprint in the government of the country. Pravin Gordhan started his
career at the time of the transition from apartheid to the post-apartheid
period and was notable for his ethical and calm character on the post of the
leader of the country in the sphere of finance.
During his political career Pravin Gordhan was appointed
twice as the Minister of Finance first in Jacob Zuma presidency from 2009 to
2014 and then again from 2015 to 2017. During his stay at the top managerial
post of the national treasury, Pravin Gordhan effectively helped the country’s economy to
become stable. However, during his tenure Gordhan’s policies drew a lot of
political pressure and opposition, he continued to be a defender of Public
finances and fiscal sustainability, and stand strongly against corruption
within state organs.
Pravin Gordhan's dismissal in 2017 based on allegations that he
was in the middle of corrupt activities and that he thwarted the authorities
angered the public and further reinforced his position of the champion of ethics
of holding public office.
Late in 2024, Pravin Gordhan was diagnosed with
cancer which worsened his health situation. On September 10, 2024 he was
admitted into the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg. Due to his
severe illness, Pravin Gordhan’s last speech to the nation was to fight against
corruption, which forms the ideal of the struggle against apartheid. Surrounded
by his family, friends and fellow soldiers he drew his last breaths on
13/09/2024.
Justice and equality is something Pravin Gordhan could
never let go from his life even when he grew and became a mature man.
Corruption became a major issue that he was always ready to fight for
regardless of the consequences this policy might have with political leaders.
Pravin Gordhan's final message to South Africans was clear: the war against corruption has
to go on, and the spirit of freedom of the apartheid struggle has to be
defended in every possible way.
Pravin
Gordhan is left behind by his wife Vanitha Raju, his daughter Anisha Gordhan
and a nation which benefited from his dedicated service. The strategy
anticipated that those contributions to the South African public life will
indeed be remembered as a light amidst the political storm.
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