By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted the late former Cabinet minister Pravin Gordhan an official state funeral.
He died on Friday morning after fighting a short battle with cancer.
His funeral will be held in Durban next week before a private cremation ceremony in line with his Hindu beliefs.
Condolences have been pouring for Gordhan, with the Congress of SA Trade Unions describing him as a “forthright leader”, and the African National Congress saying that his “selfless dedication” to the values of the party and the people’s struggle was a legacy the ANC must uphold as it continued to advance the principles of its Freedom Charter.
Born on 12 April 1949 in Durban, Gordhan became active in politics in the late 1960. He graduated as a pharmacist in 1973, but was fired from King Edward VIII Hospital in 1981 because of his political activities.
Gordhan joined the struggle against apartheid, and was a key organiser of the 1984 anti-Tricameral Parliament campaign in then Natal and pushing for the formation of the United Democratic Front.
Following the democratic dispensation, Gordhan held various positions within the cabinet, including public enterprises minister (2018 to 2024), finance minister (2009 to 2014 and 2015 to 2017), and cooperative governance a traditional affairs minister (2014 to 2017).
Ramaphosa said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Gordhan and offered his condolences his family.
“We have lost an outstanding leader whose unassuming persona belied the depth of intellect, integrity and energy with which he undertook his activism, his duty as a parliamentarian and his roles as a member of Cabinet,” the president said.
Details of his funeral will be announced by the government.
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