A former Finance Minister in south Africa, Pravin Gordhan, has passed away at the age of 75, according to his family.
The anti-apartheid veteran fighter had played an important role in South Africa’s transition to democracy, helping to negotiate the end of white-minority rule.
As well as being a finance minister, he also occupied other top government and administrative roles since the 1990s until his retirement from politics in May.
The former minister’s family had said in a statement that the veteran cabinet minister had died in hospital early on Friday after “a short, courageous battle with cancer,” adding that he was “surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong comrades in the liberation struggle when he passed away in the early hours this morning”.
As the finance minister, he was touted as a competent safe pair of hands, who inspired stability and discipline at the treasury.
He was also a prominent figure in the fight against state capture, a term used in South Africa to explain the reported undue influence of private interests over state institutions, often for corrupt purposes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa had given a tribute upon hearing of the Gordhan’s passing, describing him as an “outstanding leader” and the figure of the fight against corruption.
Ramaphosa also urged the country to remember Gordhan’s “personal sacrifices” that had stemmed from his anti-apartheid activism days, right up to the last days he retired from active politics.
Gordhan is survived by his wife Vanitha and their daughters Anisha and Priyesha.
