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President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday lauded the late former Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan as a "humble servant of the people".

The President highlighted Gordhan’s immense contribution to South Africa’s freedom and democracy. 

Delivering the eulogy at Gordhan’s Special Official Funeral, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in eThekwini, the President celebrated Gordhan’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the upliftment of the poor.

“Today we bid farewell to a humble servant of the people. For all his achievements, despite his immense contribution to this country, Pravin was at all times a humble human being and activist.”

This as the Gordhan family, leaders from various sectors, and fellow South Africans gathered to honour the life of Gordhan who passed away in the early hours of Friday, 13 September. He passed away at the age of 75,  after battling cancer.

READ | Details of Special Official Funeral for Gordhan announced

The late former Minister was also affectionately known as “PG”.

“It was his humility as a person and as a leader that made him great. It was his unwavering belief that a political activist must serve no other cause than the cause of freedom that made PG exceptional.

“It is that which makes great all true servant leaders. Leaders who accept the responsibility to lead with humility, commitment and courage. They are leaders who also submit themselves to being led. 

“These are leaders who speak up when they must, but who also listen to the voices of our people attentively. These are Leaders who are magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. Such leaders are people who stand up for what is right even at great personal cost to themselves,” President Ramaphosa said. 

Gordhan’s political journey began at a young age when he became involved with the Natal Indian Congress and the South African Communist Party. His activism, rooted in civic and student politics, saw him rise to the ranks of leadership in both the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Commitment to justice

The first citizen recalled Gordhan's role in Operation Vula, his subsequent torture and solitary confinement, and his steadfastness in the face of adversity. 

The President added that Gordhan's involvement in the United Democratic Front, his leadership during the anti-apartheid struggle, and his critical role in South Africa’s transition to democracy underscored his deep commitment to justice. 

“He was one of those rare people who knew the cost of struggle. His activism earned him arrests, beatings and detention. He knew the perils of underground work.

“As an operative of Operation Vula, he was interrogated, tortured and thrown into solitary confinement. Yet, whenever called upon, he stepped forward to serve,” the President said.

Diligence 

Gordhan’s impact extended beyond the political arena, most notably during his tenure as Minister of Finance, where he navigated South Africa through challenging economic times. 

President Ramaphosa praised Gordhan for his diligent work at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and his contributions to the careful management of public finances, which laid the foundation for the transformation of South Africa’s society.

In his eulogy, the President also reflected on Gordhan’s courage during the turbulent period of state capture, where the former Minister stood firm against corruption and abuse of power. 

“During one of the most painful chapters in our democratic history, as the state was being looted by the powerful and connected, he chose to resist. Using all means at his disposal, he worked to thwart the capture of the state

“Drawing on his substantial moral stature, he refused to be silenced. He was prepared to confront those who had once been his comrades, whom he had once looked up to as his leaders, but who had abandoned the cause of the people,” he said. 

The President hailed Gordhan’s resilience despite enduring personal attacks.

“As many others looked away, his revolutionary consciousness demanded no less of him than that he speak out. For him, it was no different to when he joined the struggle against apartheid. It was a choice between what was right and what was wrong. It was a choice between standing with the people or standing against the people. There was never any doubt where Pravin Gordhan would stand,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President described Gordhan as a person of "true mettle", whose revolutionary consciousness never wavered. He emphasised that Gordhan’s legacy continues to inspire those striving for a just, free, and equal South Africa.

Collaborative spirit

President Ramaphosa had the privilege of working alongside Gordhan for many years during the struggle against apartheid, at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), the Constitutional Assembly, in the African National Congress and in government.

“I will remember him fondly for his collaborative spirit. I will remember him for his tact, especially when we disagreed. I will remember him standing firm on principle. I will miss his incisive contributions in Cabinet and other meetings. I will miss our many discussions over many hours, and the telephone conversations late into the night.

“I valued his frankness and forthrightness. I respected his opinions. And I appreciate that he always afforded me the same courtesy. He was my comrade and my colleague, but he was also a friend,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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