Former Anti-Apartheid activist and African National Congress (ANC) Stalwart, Communist, and two times Minister in the South African Government Pravin Gordhan attends a memorial service of his former Comrade Farook Meer of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) in August 2023. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal
Hundreds of mourners have gathered at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to bid a final farewell to former minister Pravin Gordhan.
It will be followed by a private cremation ceremony, in line with Gordhan’s Hindu beliefs.
Gordhan died last week after being hospitalised for an undisclosed illness. The 75-year-old was surrounded by family, close friends, and his “lifelong comrades in the liberation struggle”.
Speaking at the father’s funeral, Anisha Gordhan said her father aided South Africa in times of its struggle. She said her father inherited the title of minister of finance she saved the country from being in a disaster state by doing all he could.
Analysing the state of the country, Anisha gave an example of what a disaster state looks like.
“Picture a South Africa where the cost of bread is R200, where billions of dollars have been paid to Russia for a failed nuclear program, where access to clean water is limited to a bucket per household per day, where load shedding lasts for days. A country where there is judicial incompetence, military interference in politics where the rule of law and access to education and basic medical care is nonexistent. This is what a failed state looks like.
“We were very close to this,” she said.
Anisha also highlighted those who stood against or rather stood down when his father was facing scrutiny during state capture.
She said her father did not cause or perpetuate state capture but rather inherited what was already ruined.
Blade Nzimande, who also spoke at Pravin Gordhan’s funeral, addressed those who sought to discredit Gordhan, saying, “I don’t care what the dictators are saying because these dictators are mostly those who benefited from state capture.
“He took a bankrupt SAA and a transnet in deep trouble, a denial whose intellectual property was stolen by the Guptas, absolutely nothing. At least we still have state-owned enterprises today.”
He emphasised that these individuals were primarily those who gained from state capture and sought to undermine Gordhan’s efforts to combat it.
Nzimande also reassured Gordhan’s family, stating, “To the family, those who are discrediting Pravin, don’t preoccupy yourselves with them. Some of us, we are there to deal with them and to expose them for who they are.”
In his speech, Nzimande celebrated Gordhan’s bravery in fighting against state capture, particularly when he was tasked with cleaning up state-owned enterprises. He noted that Gordhan took on a difficult portfolio and succeeded in his efforts, despite facing opposition from those who benefited from state capture.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula highlighted that some individuals have been trying to discredit Pravin Gordhan, particularly those who benefited from state capture.
“Today, those who are unceasing, trying very hard to find fault with your good fight against corruption, are ironically the same beneficiaries of the state capture,” said Mbalula.
He emphasized that these individuals will continue to oppose Gordhan’s efforts because they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of corruption and greed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa paid a heartfelt tribute to Pravin Gordhan, highlighting his remarkable journey as a grassroots activist and his unwavering dedication to public service. Ramaphosa noted, “Even as a Member of Parliament, even as a minister, at his essence, PG remained a grassroots activist. He was one of those rare people who knew the cost of struggle.”
Ramaphosa also acknowledged Gordhan’s resilience in the face of adversity.
“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.”
Ramaphosa celebrated Gordhan’s legacy as a key figure in the formation of the United Democratic Front and his leadership roles in the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress. He also praised Gordhan’s unexpected yet successful transition from pharmacist to leading the South African Revenue Service, attributing it to his intelligence, enterprise, and diligence.
“It was these attributes that made him the right person to be appointed Minister of Finance at a time of great difficulty for the South African and the global economy. In every task that he was given, in every portfolio he occupied, he was methodical and industrious,” he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa last week announced an official state funeral for the politician, hailing his contribution to the fight for democracy and equality.
Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017.
He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 until 2015, and as Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until March this year.
Mr Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.
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According to the presidency, official funerals are declared for “distinguished persons specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.”
If Gordhan was a serving minister at the time of his death, he likely would have been given a category one funeral that includes military ceremonial honours. Gordhan will instead receive police ceremonial honours.
This type of funeral is often reserved for the spouse of a serving President, the spouse of a serving deputy president, a current deputy ministers, the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the deputy Chief Justice and the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
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According to regulations, the SA flag must fly at half-mast at every flag station in the country from the
morning after the date of the funeral announcement by The Presidency until the evening of the burial or cremation.
This shall also apply to the burial site or cremation facility.
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