Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan(12 April 1949 – 13 September 2024) was a South African politician and anti-apartheidactivist who held various ministerial posts in theCabinet of South Africa.He served asMinister of Financefrom 2009 until 2014, and again from 2015 until 2017, asMinister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairsfrom 2014 until 2015,[2][3]and asMinister of Public Enterprisesfrom February 2018 until June 2024, when the entire Department of Public Enterprises and its ministry were abolished following the2024 general elections.[4]
Pravin Gordhan | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Gordhan in 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Public Enterprises | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 28 February 2018 – 19 June 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Lynne Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | position abolished | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Finance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 14 December 2015 – 31 March 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Jacob Zuma | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Mcebisi Jonas | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | David van Rooyen | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Malusi Gigaba | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 11 May 2009 – 25 May 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Jacob Zuma | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Trevor Manuel | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Nhlanhla Nene | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 25 May 2014 – 14 December 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Jacob Zuma | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | David van Rooyen | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan 12 April 1949 Durban,Natal,Union of South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 13 September 2024(aged 75) Johannesburg,Gauteng,South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | South African Communist Party(before 2009) African National Congress(2009–2024)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Vanitha | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | Anisha and Priyesha Gordhan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Durban-Westville | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profession | Pharmacist | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military service | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance | Umkhonto We Sizwe | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branch/service | Operation Vula(1986–1990) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years of service | 1970–1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Military operative | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Early years and education
editPravin Gordhan was born on 12 April 1949 to anIndian South Africanfamily,[5]inDurban,and matriculated from Sastri College in 1967.[6][7][8]
In 1973 he graduated from theUniversity of Durban-Westvillewith a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree.[9]He completed his pharmacy internship at King Edward VIII Hospital in 1974 and worked there until 1981.[10]
Early political activism
editGordhan became associated with members of theNatal Indian Congress(NIC) in 1971 and was elected to its executive council in 1974.[11][8]During the 1970s, Gordhan helped establish grassroots organizations that became involved in underground activities and associated with theAfrican National Congress(ANC) and later theSouth African Communist Party(SACP).[12]
In 1981 theNatal Provincial Administrationdismissed Gordhan from King Edward VIII Hospital for his political activities while he was in detention. He was released from jail in 1982 and receivedbanning orderseffective until June 1983.[8]Gordhan became a key figure in theUnited Democratic Front(UDF) since 1983 when the NIC became an affiliated organization.[13][8]
Gordhan attended the preparatory meeting for theConvention for a Democratic South Africa(CODESA) in 1991 as a joint NIC/Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) representative, and was appointed NIC/TIC delegate to the steering committee responsible for organising CODESA 1. In 1993 he was appointed to the panel of chairpersons on the planning committee of the multi-party negotiation process.[14]
Career
editGordhan was previously the Commissioner of theSouth African Revenue Servicefrom 1999 to 2009.[15]From 1991 and 1994, he chaired theConvention for a Democratic South Africa,[15]and he was the co-Chairman of theTransitional Executive Council,which prepared South Africa for the country'sfirst non-racial election in April 1994.[16]
As a member of parliament from 1994 to 1998, Gordhan chaired the parliamentary committee that focused on the implementation of the new Constitution and the transformation of local government in the post-apartheid.[17]
Gordhan was chairman of theWorld Customs Organizationfrom 2000 to 2006.[15]
On 10 May 2009, PresidentJacob Zumaappointed Gordhan asMinister of Finance,succeedingTrevor Manuel.[18]On 25 May 2014, he was replaced byNhlanhla Neneas Minister of Finance.[19]
In 2014, Gordhan was appointed the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,[20]succeeding Lechesa Tsenoli who became Deputy Speaker of theNational Assembly of South Africa.[21]
On 14 December 2015, Gordhan was re-appointed Minister of Finance, replacingDavid van Rooyenwho had been minister for four days.[22]
In 2018, Gordhan was re-appointed to the Cabinet of PresidentCyril Ramaphosaas Minister of Public Enterprises, taking over from former MinisterLynne Brown.He would oversee state-owned enterprises including the likes ofEskom,SAA,Denel,and others.[23]
Gordhan did not receive enough branch nominations to be included on the "Top 200" list of people nominated for election to theANC National Executive Committeeahead of the party's55th National Conferencein December 2022.[24]At the conference, he was one of a number of high-profile ANC leaders to lose their seats on the NEC.[25]
Gordhan retired from politics at the end of the sixth administration of South Africa's democratic government. His intention to retire was announced in March 2024.[26]
Controversies and court cases
edit
South African journalistPieter du Toithas written that Gordhan has become target of asmear campaignby people involved instate capturerelated corrupt activities due to Gordhan's efforts to fight corruption; du Toit names people associated with theGupta family,Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF), and factions within the ANC as being amongst Gordhan's harshest critics whilst also being implicated themselves in possible corrupt activities.[27]Other people and organisations, including theKathrada Foundation,[28]authorPieter-Louis Myburgh,[29]and journalistFerial Haffajee.[30]have also stated that Gordhan is the target of smear campaigns.
Controversial businessmanIqbal Survéhad repeatedly accused Gordhan of targeting Survé'sSekunjalo Groupwhile Survé and Sekunjalo companies faced fraud investigations by theFSCAand termination of banking services.[31]Survé's accusations against Gordhan were found to be baseless and lacking in evidence.[32][33][34]
Since becoming Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Gordhan's middle name, Jamnadas, has been used extensively by critics, most notably onTwitter,as a pejorative term anddog whistleto highlight hisIndian ethnicityin a racially prejudicial way.[35]
Rogue unit
editOn the eve of the 2016 Budget Speech that was to be tabled on 24 February 2016, a list of questions from theHawkswas sent to Gordhan. In total there were 27 questions around the alleged "rogue unit" atSouth African Revenue Service (SARS).[36]Gordhan was the SARS commissioner in 2007, when the so-called rogue unit was set up. He has maintained that it was above board and had ministerial approval.[37]Many questioned the timing of the questions sent includingGwede Mantashe,the Secretary General of theAfrican National Congress(ANC).[38]Gordhan himself was baffled by the questions, having the following to say "Once again, the Hawks and those who instruct them, have no regard for the economic and social welfare of millions".[37]He then sent a letter to the Hawks through his department that he would be unable to meet the deadline imposed. The letter from his office stated that "He will respond in due course, once he has properly examined the questions and ascertained what information, of the information you request, he is able to provide". He also wanted to know from what authority the Hawks asked these questions of him.[39]On 30 March 2016, he replied to the questions put to him by the Hawks.[40]Gordhan was quoted, "I believe this was meant to intimidate and distract us from the work we had to do in preparing the 2016 Budget".[41]
In September 2017, international auditing firm KPMG abruptly withdrew all of its findings‚ recommendations, and conclusions around its report into the SARS "rogue spy unit" which had implicated Gordhan. SARS CommissionerTom Moyanedisputed KPMG's withdrawal of the report withdrawal, calling it "unethical conduct", and claimed that the report is not flawed.[42][43]
Hiring practices
editIn October 2016, South Africa's state prosecutor levied fraud charges against Gordhan for allowing a former colleague at SARS to take early retirement and then re-hiring them as a consultant. Charges were dropped a few days later.[44]In October 2016, Gordhan lodged an application in the North Gauteng High Court to rule that he may not interfere with the major banks' decision to close the Oakbay Investments accounts. In August 2017, the court ruled against his application deeming it unnecessary.[45]
Public Protector
editIn May 2019, Public ProtectorBusisiwe Mkhwebanereleased a controversial report recommending that the presidency take disciplinary action against Gordhan for past allegations of fraud at SARS.[46]Gordhan's legal team challenged Mkhwebane's findings as being "totally wrong both in fact and in law".[46]Mkhwebane publicly denied that it was part of a larger political struggle to target and discredit Gordhan.[47][48]In July 2019 theGauteng Division of the High Court of South Africaruled that Mkhwebane's action as Public Protector against Gordhan be suspended, pending a judicial review of Mkhwabane's report on the SARS "rogue unit". The judge stated that a number of Mkhwebane's assertions were "vague, contradictory and/or nonsensical".[49][50]
Sale of South African Airways
editGordhan was accused of orchestrating the sale ofSouth African Airways(SAA) in "an irregular manner".[51]Gordhan had planned to sell the state-owned airline for ZAR 51 to the Takatso group, but the deal was scrapped after two years in the making.[52][53]This resulted in UDM leaderBantu Holomisato call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire Gordhan.[54]
Parliament's portfolio committee on public enterprises referred the matter to the Special Investigative Unit for further investigation, citing the importance of transparency and accountability and concerned about the undervaluation of SAA.[55]
Death
editOn 10 September 2024, Gordhan's family announced that he was admitted to hospital.[56]At a press conference on 12 September, ANC secretary-generalFikile Mbalulasaid that Gordhan was in a "critical condition" and receiving the best care in hospital.[57]Gordhan died from cancer at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre inJohannesburg,on 13 September. He was 75.[58]
Awards
edit| Year | Country | Award Name | Given by | Field of Merit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019[59] | India | Padma Bhushan | President of India | |
| 2010[60] | India | Pravasi Bharatiya Samman | President of India | Public service |
Honorary degrees
edit- University of South Africa,HonoraryDoctor of Commerce,May 2007[61]
- University of Cape Town,Doctor of Law(honoris causa), June 2007[61]
- Central University of Technology,Doctor of Technology(honoris causa), March 2009[61]
- Sunday Times Business Leader of the Year,November 2016[62]
- Henley Business School(University of Reading,UK), Doctor of Business Administration (honoris causa), November 2018[63]
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