At his funeral, mourners praised former minister Pravin Gordhan as an insightful leader and analytical thinker.

 

Many politicians and leaders paid tribute to Gordhan, who was affectionately known as PG in political circles. Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande described him as a master negotiator with a knack for handling intense meetings. Nzimande recalled how Gordhan would push meetings late into the night, often making critical decisions at 3am. At Gordhan's funeral on Thursday at the Durban ICC, Nzimande highlighted his sharp and analytical mind, which he credited for helping to build the world-class institution of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

“We are proud of his efforts against state capture. Those who are capturing our country must go,” Nzimande stated. 

He praised Gordhan’s work with State-Owned Enterprises, noting that the real detractors were those who benefited from state capture. “At least we still have State-Owned Enterprises,” Nzimande added. 

Gordhan passed away on September 13, 2024, at the age of 75, after a period of illness.

Nzimande emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges facing the country and confronting mistakes and weaknesses. “It’s not just about the ANC; it’s about all of us. We must be intolerant of renegade behavior,” he said in memory of Gordhan.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Gordhan will be honored with a Special Official Funeral Category 2, with ceremonial elements conducted by the South African Police Service. Memorial services have been held in both Gauteng and Durban to celebrate Gordhan’s life and contributions.

Gordhan’s notable positions included serving as Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. He was also Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015, and Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until his planned retirement in March 2024. He began his career as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in 1999, following a term as Deputy Commissioner.