---
title: "Pravin Gordhan was 'a baobab who stood firm against all storms'"
description: "Pravin Gordhan’s 50 years of public service in South Africa took him from a young anti-apartheid activist to a determined taxman and finance minister, and eventually a central figure in the battle against State Capture, standing strong despite relentless challenges and attacks."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "LIVE TRIBUTE"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-13-remembering-pravin-gordhan/"
published: "2024-09-13T09:01:31"
updated: "2024-09-13T13:45:29"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 59
---

# Pravin Gordhan was 'a baobab who stood firm against all storms'

> Pravin Gordhan’s 50 years of public service in South Africa took him from a young anti-apartheid activist to a determined taxman and finance minister, and eventually a central figure in the battle against State Capture, standing strong despite relentless challenges and attacks.

By Daily Maverick · Published 13 September 2024, 11:01 SAST · Updated 13 September 2024, 15:45 SAST

## Content

- Pravin Gordhan died during the early hours of Friday, 13 September.
- After his retirement, Gordhan fought a short and courageous battle with cancer, said Lackay.
- His final words were: “I have no regrets, no regrets…we have made our contribution.” He is survived by his wife Vanitha and his daughters Anisha and Priyesha. [**Read more.**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-13-pravin-gordhan-1949-2024-a-servant-of-the-people-who-connected-the-dots-of-state-capture/)

*[Live blog — follow updates on the original page](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-13-remembering-pravin-gordhan/)*