Pravin Gordhan hailed as a ‘bulwark against State Capture’

Tributes continue to pour in for the late Pravin Gordhan, who held various SA cabinet positions in previous administrations of former president Jacob Zuma and during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first term, in addition to being a long-time commissioner of the SA Revenue Service (Sars).

Gordhan (75) passed away in the early hours of Friday morning, following a short battle with cancer.

Read: Pravin Gordhan has passed away

President Cyril Ramaphosa in a video on X called the former cabinet minister “one of the most principled and courageous freedom fighters that the nation has known and produced”.

“I had the occasion to spend some time with him last night before his passing and was speaking to him even though he could no longer hear me,” Ramaphosa said.

Eskom

Eskom, which had Gordhan as its political head from 2019 until the national and provincial elections this year, said he was a pivotal figure in the power utility’s transformation, “driving critical reforms that set the foundation for the future”.

According to Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati, Gordhan was instrumental in initiating the legal separation of Eskom into generation, transmission, and distribution entities.

“His strategic guidance and unwavering support were essential to the current board’s efforts to restore Eskom’s performance. He consistently stood by this board, management, and employees during his time as minister,” said Nyati.

Read:
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SA Revenue Service 

Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the contribution of Gordhan may never be truly understood and appreciated by millions of South Africans.

“[It] was he who set the organisation [Sars] on a path that still directs and inspires us today and will continue for decades to come.

“PG was, without doubt, the one who conceptualised and laid the foundation for a modern tax and customs administration,” Kieswetter notes.

Listen/read:
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Business community

Cas Coovadia, outgoing CEO of Business Unity SA, said: “Pravin Gordhan was a man of immense integrity and dedication. His fight against corruption and his commitment to ethical governance in South Africa stand as examples for us all.

“He was not only a public servant but a true patriot who made tremendous sacrifices for our country. I had the honour of knowing Pravin as a comrade, a friend, and a colleague from our work in the struggle for democracy up to Pravin’s roles in government.”

Coovadia adds that Gordhan’s leadership qualities stood out for his demands on ethical behaviour and empirically based deliberations.

Read: Legislation to prevent state capture on its way 

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) says Gordhan always put the country first.

“From his days as an anti-apartheid activist to serving the country in cabinet, he showed deep integrity and a clear vision of what civil service should be,” it said in a statement.

“He was a bulwark against State Capture and played a crucial role in stemming the looting of the state during the Zuma presidency,” added BLSA.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry describes Gordhan as “professional, intelligent and transparent” and someone who helped to “normalise the relationship between business and government”.

“He was accessible and available to meet and engage with business and other key stakeholders. We found him to be forthright, robust in our debates on many economic policy issues first as Sars Commissioner, then Finance Minister, and lastly as the Public Enterprises Minister.”

Civil society

“South Africa has lost one of its finest servants,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation noted.

“He will be remembered as … someone who stood firm against those intent on using power to capture the state for private interests. He’ll be sorely missed,” the Foundation added.

According to the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Gordhan’s funeral will take place in Durban on Thursday, 19 September. It will be an official funeral, followed by a private cremation.

Listen to Moneyweb@Midday’s Friday (13 September) show for more tributes and reaction to the passing of Pravin Gordhan: 

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

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