Pravin Gordhan passes away with 'no regrets, no regrets'
Pravin Gordhan passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong comrades in the liberation struggle in the early hours of Friday morning. Bidding those closest to him farewell, his family said in a statement Gordhan was emphatic: “I have no regrets, no regrets… We have made our contribution.” Gordhan, 75, was a committed political activist since his teenage years. He elected to retire from active politics after the 2024 general election to spend time with his family. Daily Maverick pays tribute to PG, as he was known by many, with a selection of images.
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan, and the Chairman of the Eskom Board, Mr Jabu Mabuza, addresses the media on Eskom and the current electricity supply problems. Crownn Plaza Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg. PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY
The then Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan during an interview on 14 May 2009 - this photo was taken shortly after his appointment. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24) Gordhan at 10 years old. (Photo: Joining the Dots Book, Jonathan Ball Publishers) A young Pravin Gordhan (left) with two friends. (Photo: Joining the Dots, Jonathan Ball Publishers) Pravin Gordhan (left, front) matriculated from Sastri College. (Photo: Joining the Dots, Jonathan Ball Publishers) Key activists during the anti-apartheid struggle, gathered in Durban. Back row ( L to R) Mohamed Simjee, Swaminathan Gounden, Jerry Coovadia, Thumba Pillay, Virgil Bonhomme, Ela Gandhi, Zac Yacoob, Abdul Haq Randeree, Paul David, Roy Padayachee, Yunus Mohamed.Front row (L to R) George Sewpersadh, MJ Naidoo, Archie Gumede, Mewa Ramgobin, Pravin Gordhan.(Photo: Supplied) Pravin Gordhan, the South African minister of Finance addresses the media at a conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa on 1 June 2010 after having meetings with bank bosses. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Lisa Hnatowicz) South Africa Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, addresses the media at a conference held in Pretoria, South Africa on 5 July 2010. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Cornel van Heerden) South African Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan at the announcement of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) final results on 1 April 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Deean Vivier) Pravin Gordhan and his wife Vani with Nelson Mandela. (Photo: Joining the Dots, Jonathan Ball Publishers) Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivers the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in parliament on October 25, 2011 in Cape Town. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Michael Hammond) Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on February 21, 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa ahead of his 2012 budget speech. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Michael Hammond) Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his team on their way to parliament on February 22, 2012 in Cape Town where he was set to deliver his annual budget speech. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Edrea Du Toit) Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan presents his 2016 Budget Vote Speech in the National Assembly on February 24, 2015. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Lerato Maduna) Then president Jacob Zuma (centre) speaks to then deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa (left) and then finance minister Pravin Gordhan (right) before the presentation to Parliament of the 2016 Budget. (Photo: Halden Krog / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Then South African finance minister Pravin Gordhan (centre) and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas (centre right), arrive at the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria for a hearing on Tuesday, 28 March 2017. Then President Jacob Zuma ordered Gordhan to cancel meetings with investors in the UK and the US and return home on the Monday, a day after he had flown to London to begin a week-long roadshow. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers Bloomberg via Getty Images) Pravin Gordhan, former South African finance minister, speaks during a news conference in Pretoria on Friday, 31 March 2017. Then president Jacob Zuma fired Gordhan and made sweeping changes to his administration in a high-stakes power play. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Protesters gather during the People's March against then President Jacob Zuma in Cape Town, South Africa. The marches, across the country were organized by civil rights groups calling for Zuma's resignation after he controversially fired Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas. 07 April 2017. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach) Axed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan at Church Square during the #OccupyTreasury protest in Pretori at the end of March 2017. Marchers gathered outside the National Treasury in Pretoria, calling for President Jacob Zuma to step down, following his announcement early on Friday of a dramatic Cabinet reshuffle. Axed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was also present. (Photo: Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius) Pravin Gordhan, former South African finance minister, right, reacts as Mcebisi Jonas, former South African deputy finance minister, left, looks on during a news conference in Pretoria on 31 March 2017. Then President Jacob Zuma fired Gordhan and made sweeping changes to his administration in a high-stakes power play that placed the nation’s investment grade credit rating at risk. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg) Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's then minister for public enterprises, at the Future of South Africa conference in Cape Town on Wednesday, 7 March 2017. Photo: Halden Krog / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's minister for public enterprises, listens during a news conference to announce Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.'s full-year results at their headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan during a news conference to announce Eskom's full-year results at their headquarters in Johannesburg on 30 July 2019. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's minister for public enterprises, arrives at parliament ahead of the budget presentation in Cape Town, South Africa, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (Photo: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images) President Cyril Ramaphosa (left) and former public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan. (Photo: Sebabatso Mosamo / Sunday Times) President Cyril Ramaphosa having a chat with minister Pravin Gordhan who is holding a knife for the cutting of the cake at the ANC 110th anniversary held at the old Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on 08 Saturday January 2022. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla/Daily Maverick) Minister Pravin Gordhan during a meeting to discuss Eskom at Parliament on May 17, 2023 in Cape Town. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) Thokozile Didiza and Pravin Gordhan at the start of Cabinet Lekgotla at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse on February 01, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu) Pravin Gordhan at the inauguration in Pretoria of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, 19 June 2024. (Photo: Leon Sadiki / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Zohra Kathrada at the candlelight vigil for former minister Pravin Gordhan at the Flame of Democracy Constitution Hill on 11 September 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) Friends, activists and family at the Flame of Democracy Constitution Hill vigil.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) Merle Favis, Zohra Kathrada and Nishan Bolton at the candlelight vigil. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) Friends, activists and family at a candlelight vigil at the Flame of Democracy Constitution Hill on 11 September 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Im sorry to hear Mr Gordhan has died. One didn't always agree with him but he was an honourable man and I always admired his calm in the face of the many storms he encountered during his tenure. RIP.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000090344.jpg "The then Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan during an interview on 14 May 2009 - this photo was taken shortly after his appointment. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Book-Ancer-GordhanTW-inset-1.jpg "Gordhan at 10 years old. (Photo: Joining the Dots Book, Jonathan Ball Publishers)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Book-Ancer-GordhanTW-inset-2.jpg "A young Pravin Gordhan (left) with two friends. (Photo: Joining the Dots, Jonathan Ball Publishers)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Book-Ancer-GordhanTW-inset-8.jpg "Pravin Gordhan (left, front) matriculated from Sastri College. (Photo: Joining the Dots, Jonathan Ball Publishers)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Book-Ancer-GordhanTW.jpg "Key activists during the anti-apartheid struggle, gathered in Durban. Back row ( L to R) Mohamed Simjee, Swaminathan Gounden, Jerry Coovadia, Thumba Pillay, Virgil Bonhomme, Ela Gandhi, Zac Yacoob, Abdul Haq Randeree, Paul David, Roy Padayachee, Yunus Mohamed.Front row (L to R) George Sewpersadh, MJ Naidoo, Archie Gumede, Mewa Ramgobin, Pravin Gordhan.(Photo: Supplied)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000113984.jpg "Pravin Gordhan, the South African minister of Finance addresses the media at a conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa on 1 June 2010 after having meetings with bank bosses. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Lisa Hnatowicz)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000119629.jpg "South Africa Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, addresses the media at a conference held in Pretoria, South Africa on 5 July 2010. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Cornel van Heerden)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000136632.jpg "South African Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan at the announcement of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) final results on 1 April 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Deean Vivier)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Book-Ancer-GordhanTW-inset-10.jpg "Pravin Gordhan and his wife Vani with Nelson Mandela. (Photo: Joining the Dots, Jonathan Ball Publishers)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000149358.jpeg "Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivers the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in parliament on October 25, 2011 in Cape Town. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Michael Hammond)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000156959.jpg "Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on February 21, 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa ahead of his 2012 budget speech. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Michael Hammond)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000157048.jpg "Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his team on their way to parliament on February 22, 2012 in Cape Town where he was set to deliver his annual budget speech. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Edrea Du Toit)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0000236591.jpg "Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan presents his 2016 Budget Vote Speech in the National Assembly on February 24, 2015. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Lerato Maduna)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-613912326.jpg "Then president Jacob Zuma (centre) speaks to then deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa (left) and then finance minister Pravin Gordhan (right) before the presentation to Parliament of the 2016 Budget. (Photo: Halden Krog / Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-658961084.jpg "Then South African finance minister Pravin Gordhan (centre) and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas (centre right), arrive at the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria for a hearing on Tuesday, 28 March 2017. Then President Jacob Zuma ordered Gordhan to cancel meetings with investors in the UK and the US and return home on the Monday, a day after he had flown to London to begin a week-long roadshow. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-661435038.jpg "Pravin Gordhan, former South African finance minister, speaks during a news conference in Pretoria on Friday, 31 March 2017. Then president Jacob Zuma fired Gordhan and made sweeping changes to his administration in a high-stakes power play. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ED_0111953.jpg "Protesters gather during the People's March against then President Jacob Zuma in Cape Town, South Africa. The marches, across the country were organized by civil rights groups calling for Zuma's resignation after he controversially fired Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas. 07 April 2017. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ED_0111442.jpeg "Axed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan at Church Square during the #OccupyTreasury protest in Pretori at the end of March 2017. Marchers gathered outside the National Treasury in Pretoria, calling for President Jacob Zuma to step down, following his announcement early on Friday of a dramatic Cabinet reshuffle. Axed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was also present. (Photo: Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-661510340.jpg "Pravin Gordhan, former South African finance minister, right, reacts as Mcebisi Jonas, former South African deputy finance minister, left, looks on during a news conference in Pretoria on 31 March 2017. Then President Jacob Zuma fired Gordhan and made sweeping changes to his administration in a high-stakes power play that placed the nation’s investment grade credit rating at risk. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-928551762.jpg "Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's then minister for public enterprises, at the Future of South Africa conference in Cape Town on Wednesday, 7 March 2017. Photo: Halden Krog / Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-1158651391.jpg "Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's minister for public enterprises, listens during a news conference to announce Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.'s full-year results at their headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Estelle-gordhanletter.jpeg "Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan during a news conference to announce Eskom's full-year results at their headquarters in Johannesburg on 30 July 2019. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-1203890614.jpg "Pravin Gordhan, South Africa's minister for public enterprises, arrives at parliament ahead of the budget presentation in Cape Town, South Africa, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (Photo: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grootes-PG-anc-CR3.jpeg "President Cyril Ramaphosa (left) and former public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan. (Photo: Sebabatso Mosamo / Sunday Times)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grootes-PG-anc-CR1.jpeg "President Cyril Ramaphosa having a chat with minister Pravin Gordhan who is holding a knife for the cutting of the cake at the ANC 110th anniversary held at the old Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on 08 Saturday January 2022. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla/Daily Maverick)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ED_451245.jpg "Minister Pravin Gordhan during a meeting to discuss Eskom at Parliament on May 17, 2023 in Cape Town. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ED_487622.jpg "Thokozile Didiza and Pravin Gordhan at the start of Cabinet Lekgotla at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse on February 01, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2157688483.jpg "Pravin Gordhan at the inauguration in Pretoria of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, 19 June 2024. (Photo: Leon Sadiki / Bloomberg via Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PM_1117.jpg "Zohra Kathrada at the candlelight vigil for former minister Pravin Gordhan at the Flame of Democracy Constitution Hill on 11 September 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PM_1126.jpg "Friends, activists and family at the Flame of Democracy Constitution Hill vigil.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PM_1112.jpg "Merle Favis, Zohra Kathrada and Nishan Bolton at the candlelight vigil. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PM_1168.jpg "Friends, activists and family at a candlelight vigil at the Flame of Democracy Constitution Hill on 11 September 2024.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan, and the Chairman of the Eskom Board, Mr Jabu Mabuza, addresses the media on Eskom and the current electricity supply problems. Crownn Plaza Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg. PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY