President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday lauded the late former Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan as a “humble servant of the people”.
The President highlighted Gordhan’s immense contribution to South Africa’s freedom and democracy.
Delivering the eulogy at Gordhan’s Special Official Funeral, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in eThekwini, the President celebrated Gordhan’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the upliftment of the poor.
“Today we bid farewell to a humble servant of the people. For all his achievements, despite his immense contribution to this country, Pravin was at all times a humble human being and activist.”
This as the Gordhan family, leaders from various sectors, and fellow South Africans gathered to honour the life of Gordhan who passed away in the early hours of Friday, 13 September. He passed away at the age of 75, after battling cancer.
President Ramaphosa had the privilege of working alongside Gordhan for many years during the struggle against apartheid, at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), the Constitutional Assembly, in the African National Congress and in government.
“I will remember him fondly for his collaborative spirit. I will remember him for his tact, especially when we disagreed. I will remember him standing firm on principle. I will miss his incisive contributions in Cabinet and other meetings. I will miss our many discussions over many hours, and the telephone conversations late into the night.
“I valued his frankness and forthrightness. I respected his opinions. And I appreciate that he always afforded me the same courtesy. He was my comrade and my colleague, but he was also a friend,” the President said.