Veterans, comrades hail Gordhan as ‘incorruptible servant’

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Neeshan Balton confirmed the date at the media briefing held on behalf of Gordhan’s family in Houghton on Friday afternoon.

The politician, who headed up the ministries of finance and cooperative governance, died at the age of 75 after a short battle with cancer.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Gordhan would be honoured with an official funeral.

“The finer detail of that will probably come from the presidency over the next few days,” said Balton.

READ MORE: Ramaphosa declares official state funeral for Gordhan

Gordhan has been hailed, by veterans of his party, the African National Congress, and those who served with the late minister in cabinet, as a dedicated servant of the people who pushed back against state capture.

His comrade Mac Maharaj remembered him as an incorruptible freedom fighter and a great servant of the people.

“I am also ceased with a profound sense of gratitude that I was able to share the freedom struggle trenches with Pravin. He was an indomitable freedom fighter. Nothing that the enemy could marshal against him deterred him. He gave me knowledge that our struggle, even in this democratic era, is always about the people; for the people are the makers of history and ours is a duty to be their servant.

“Pravin was a servant of the struggle against apartheid and in the making of our democracy to deliver a better and a caring society. Pravin was their servant. He cared and he walked the path strewn with thorns, but he never faltered.”

While he has been harshly criticised for his work as public enterprises minister, a role he held before announcing his retirement from politics earlier this year, former Gauteng finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe said through Gordhan’s work the green shoots of progress in state-owned enterprises are visible.

Former finance minister Trevor Manuel agreed with Nkomfe, while commending Gordhan for reversing the damage of state capture at these institutions.

“What happened during the period of state capture is that everything was stolen from the public enterprises. By the time PG is assigned to that department the cupboards are bare, the debt is high; you look at the debt service costs for Transnet, Eskom, the list is endless; he had to work with the hand he was dealt.

“That context becomes important, and the point that Mandla raises about green shoots happens in an environment where you say: the destruction has happened, the task now is to rebuild. I think it's fundamentally important that we recognise PG’s role in rebuilding and giving a new sense of purpose and place to our SOEs.”

‘DEMOCRACY WILL NOT SURVIVE ON ITS OWN’

While he has been remembered by many for his steadfast commitment to the fight against state capture and corruption, away from his role in public office Gordhan was a loving husband and doting father.

His daughter Priyesha read the speech Gordhan wrote from his hospital bed, to mark the commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the National Indian Congress, which has been received by his comrades as the marching orders towards preserving democracy and achieving an equal society.

“Democracy will not survive on its own. Democracy must be constantly secured and enhanced. In many parts of the world, democracy is being undermined by right-wing populism, massive inequality, identity politics, geo-political tensions, and authoritarianism. The super-rich are imposing an inordinate influence on democracy.

“Democracy must be entrenched, and more work must be done amongst society to own and defend it. Integrity and ethical conduct in our politics appear to be sadly declining. Populism seemingly represents the interests of the majority of South Africans but represents the interests of just a few.

“Those that are active in either political, social, or non-governmental fields must all contribute towards working in the national and public interest as opposed to self-interest,” she read.

Asked if the family ever considered asking Gordhan to walk away from public office, at the height of the attacks on him and his approach to the running of SOEs, Priyesha said her father never gave up, and a collective decision was made that he should stay on.

SOCIAL MEDIA ‘VITRIOL’ AND EFF STATEMENT

Balton has reacted to scornful comments on social media following the announcement of Gordhan’s hospitalisation.

“I was horrified, the last three days, to read the vitriol that was being spewed out, particularly on X. It was just the most disgusting content.”

"He, however, said he’d noted the change in the discourse: “This morning, on all of the mainstream media, there’s been a different appreciation of Pravin.”

At the same time, Manuel also commented on the statement released by the Economic Freedom Fighters, who described Gordhan as the embodiment of greed, corruption, and elitism.

“Corruption defines what the EFF leadership is about. The problem that they have had with Pravin Gordhan and everybody at SARS is that SARS has to go after tobacco smugglers.”