Former Minister Pravin Gordhan has been granted an official State funeral expected to take place in the coming week.
On Friday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that struggle stalwart and cabinet veteran will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on September 19,2024.
The Presidency said the funeral would encompass ceremonial elements performed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) adding that details of this occasion will be made known in the coming days.
Gordhan passed away in the early hours of Friday morning (September 13, 2024) following an illness.
He was 75 years old.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa had visited Gordhan in his final hours and paid tribute to the former Minister as a leader who had fought to liberate South Africa from the shackles of apartheid, from inequality, from poverty and from hunger.
Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017.
He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 until 2015, and as Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until his March 2024 announcement of planned retirement.
Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.
“President Ramaphosa has offered his deep condolences to Gordhan’s spouse Vanitha Raju, daughters Anisha and Priyesha, as well as the former Minister’s older brother, Manecklal Gordhan, and sister Shanta Harilal,” said Vincent Magwenya Presidency spokesperson.
The National Flag will be flown at half-mast from Saturday morning, until the evening of the funeral.
IOL News