Pravin Gordhan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Pravin Gordhan MP
Minister of Public Enterprises
In office 28 February 2018 – 19 June 2024
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by	Lynne Brown
Minister of Finance
In office 14 December 2015 – 31 March 2017
President	Jacob Zuma
Deputy	Mcebisi Jonas
Preceded by	David van Rooyen
Succeeded by	Malusi Gigaba
In office 11 May 2009 – 25 May 2014
President	Jacob Zuma
Preceded by	Trevor Manuel
Succeeded by	Nhlanhla Nene
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In office 25 May 2014 – 14 December 2015
President	Jacob Zuma
Preceded by	Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli
Succeeded by	David van Rooyen
Additional offices 1994–present Member of the National Assembly of South Africa Incumbent Assumed office May 2009 In office April 1994 – November 1999 Constituency Durban Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service In office November 1999 – May 2009 President Jacob Zuma Preceded by Trevor van Heerden Succeeded by Oupa Magashule
Personal details
Born	Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan (1949-04-12)12 April 1949 Durban, Natal, Union of South Africa
Died	13 September 2024(2024-09-13) (aged 75) Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Political party	South African Communist Party (before 2009) African National Congress (2009–2024)
Spouse	Vanitha Raju
Children	Anisha Gordhan
Alma mater	University of Durban-Westville
Occupation	Politician consultant anti-apartheid activist
Profession	Pharmacist
Military service
Allegiance	Umkhonto We Sizwe
Branch/service	Operation Vula (1986-1990)
Years of service	1970-1994
Rank	Military operative

Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan (12 April 1949 – 13 September 2024) was an important South African politician. He was also an activist who fought against apartheid. Apartheid was a system of unfair racial separation in South Africa.

Pravin Gordhan held many important jobs in the South African government. He was the Minister of Finance twice. He also served as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Later, he became the Minister of Public Enterprises. This role involved overseeing government-owned businesses. He passed away on 13 September 2024.

Early Life and Education

Pravin Gordhan was born in Durban on 12 April 1949. He finished high school at Sastri College in 1967.

In 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. He studied at the University of Durban-Westville. After his studies, he worked as a pharmacist at King Edward VIII Hospital. He worked there until 1981.

Fighting for Change

Pravin Gordhan joined the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) in 1971. He was elected to its main council in 1974. During the 1970s, he helped start local groups. These groups secretly worked with the African National Congress (ANC). They also worked with the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Because of his political work, he was fired from his hospital job in 1981. He was also put in jail. After being released in 1982, he faced "banning orders." These orders stopped him from doing political activities. In 1983, he attended the launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF). The NIC also joined the UDF.

In 1991, Gordhan helped prepare for the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA). This was a big meeting to plan a new, fair South Africa. He helped organize CODESA 1. In 1993, he helped lead the group planning the multi-party talks. These talks were important for South Africa's future.

Important Jobs in Government

From 1999 to 2009, Pravin Gordhan was the head of the South African Revenue Service. This is the government department that collects taxes.

He also helped prepare South Africa for its first democratic election. This election happened in April 1994. He was a co-chairman of the group that made this possible.

From 1994 to 1998, he was a member of parliament. He led a committee that worked on the new Constitution. This committee also helped change local government after apartheid.

From 2000 to 2006, Gordhan was the chairman of the World Customs Organization. This is an international group that helps countries with customs rules.

On 10 May 2009, President Jacob Zuma made Gordhan the Minister of Finance. He was in charge of the country's money. He held this job until 2014.

In 2014, he became the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. This role involved working with local governments and traditional leaders.

He was re-appointed as Minister of Finance on 14 December 2015. He held this position until 2017.

In 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him as Minister of Public Enterprises. In this role, he oversaw large state-owned companies. These included Eskom (electricity), SAA (airlines), and Denel (defence).

Pravin Gordhan decided to retire from politics in March 2024. He left his government role in June 2024.

Awards and Honours

Pravin Gordhan received several awards for his work.

• In 2010, he received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from India. This award is for people of Indian origin who have done great public service.
• In 2019, he received the Padma Bhushan from India. This is one of India's highest civilian awards.

Honorary Degrees

He also received special honorary degrees from several universities:

• University of South Africa: Honorary Doctor of Commerce (2007)
• University of Cape Town: Honorary Doctor of Law (2007)
• Central University of Technology: Honorary Doctor of Technology (2009)
• Henley Business School (part of the University of Reading, UK): Honorary Doctor of Business Administration (2018)

He was also named the Sunday Times Business Leader of the Year in November 2016.