The Presidency is able to announce that the funeral service for former Minister Pravin Gordhan will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban at 10h00 on Thursday, 19 September 2024.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 in honour of the late struggle and Cabinet veteran who passed away on Friday, 13 September 2024, at the age of 75, following a period of illness.

Mr 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.

Mr Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.

The Special Official Funeral Category 2 will entail ceremonial elements performed by the South African Police Service.

The funeral service will be followed by a private cremation.

Mr Gordhan’s family has requested that in lieu of floral tributes, mourners offer donations to charities of their choice, or the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

South Africa congratulates President Tebboune and the people of Algeria on the outcome of the Presidential Election.
 
South Africa extends congratulations to His Excellency President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on his successful re-election as President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, following the conclusion of the Presidential Election held on 07 September 2024.  
 
The Algerian National Independent Electoral Authority and all national stakeholders are also congratulated for their collective efforts in ensuring a conducive environment in which the elections were conducted.
 
The success of the elections is an expression of Algeria’s commitment to advancing democracy not only in Algeria but on the African Continent.
 
South Africa and Algeria share a common history forged during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. 
 
Following the advent of South Africa’s democracy in 1994, the two countries intensified the bilateral cooperation which has been elevated to the Bi-National Commission co-chaired by the two Presidents.
 
The South African Government reiterates its commitment to continue working in solidarity with the Government and people of Algeria to strengthen bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries, to build strong people-to-people ties, and collaborate in the consolidation of the African Agenda.
 
 
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - media@presidency.gov.za
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Following the unfortunate incident yesterday, the Office of the Deputy President confirms that Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile is in good health.

This is consistent with the doctor’s report yesterday. He is in high spirits and is resting at home following his travel back to his home yesterday.

We want to use this opportunity to thank the team that supports the Deputy President, from the Presidential Protection Service and the Presidential Medical Unit for their speedy response in attending to the Deputy President and ensuring that he is in good health.

The Deputy President also thanks all South Africans for their support and prayers.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Paul Mashatile attended the N’waMitwa Day Celebrations held at Valoyi Cultural Village, Greater Tzaneen, Mopani District, in the Limpopo Province. 

While delivering his keynote address, the Deputy President felt lightheaded from the heat and was attended to by his medical team. 

We can confirm that the Deputy President has received the necessary medical attention and is well. 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that struggle stalwart and Cabinet veteran Mr Pravin Gordhan will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on Thursday, 19 September 2024.

Former Minister Gordhan passed away in the early hours of Friday, 13 September 2024, at the age of 75,  following a period of illness.

Mr 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.

Mr Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.

His contribution to the public sector arose from his involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, including his role in student and civic movements in the 1970s and ‘80s, as an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and military military operative in the armed wing of the African National Congress.

President Ramaphosa has offered his deep condolences to Mr Gordhan’s spouse, Ms Vanitha Raju, daughters Anisha and Priyesha, as well as the former Minister’s older brother, Manecklal Gordhan, and sister Shanta Harilal.

The President’s thoughts are also with the former Minister’s extended family, comrades, associates and organisations with whom he established relationships as a family and community member, freedom fighter, public sector executive and Member of the National Executive.

President Ramaphosa, who visited Mr Gordhan in his final hours, has 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.
 
The President said Mr Gordhan had been driven by a vision of a society in which all people may achieve their full potential and in which all may realise their dreams.

On Thursday, 19 September, Mr Gordhan will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral which will encompass ceremonial elements performed by the South African Police Service.

Details of this occasion will be made known in the coming days.

The President has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast from tomorrow morning, Saturday, 14 September 2024, until the evening of the funeral.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is deeply saddened by the passing of lifelong activist and former Minister of Public Enterprises Mr Pravin Gordhan, who has passed away at the age of 75, following a period of illness.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to Mr Gordhan’s spouse, Ms Vanitha Raju, daughters Anisha and Priyesha, as well as the former Minister’s older brother, Manecklal Gordhan, and sister Shanta Harilal.

The President’s thoughts are with former Minister Gordhan’s extended family, comrades, associates and organisations with whom he established relationships as a family and community member, freedom fighter, public sector executive and Member of the National Executive.

He 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.

Mr Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.

His contribution to the public sector arose from his involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, including his role in student and civic movements in the 1970s and ‘80s, as an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and military military operative in the armed wing of the African National Congress.

During South Africa’s transition to democracy and in the early years of the new dispensation, Mr Gordhan played a leading role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) multi-party dialogue and was later appointed as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee.

2023 marked 50 years since Mr Gordhan graduated from the University of Durban-Westville with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree which led to him working at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban from 1974 to 1981.

In the early 1980s, his activism led to his dismissal from the hospital, as well as detention by police and banning orders.

President Ramaphosa said: “We have lost an outstanding leader whose unassuming persona belied the depth of intellect, integrity and energy with which he undertook his activism, his duty as a parliamentarian and his roles as a member of Cabinet.

“Pravin Gordhan’s personal sacrifices and his endeavours and achievements in various sectors of our society endowed him with the insights, empathy and resilience that fuelled his service to the nation.

“In the latter years of this service to the nation, and as a beacon of our fight against corruption, Pravin Gordhan stood up to derision and threats emanating from some in our nation who were scorched by his insistence that justice be dispensed against those who sought to undermine our democracy and raid our public resources and assets.

“During his decades of revolutionary dedication to making South Africa a better place, Pravin Gordhan and his family were deprived of much needed and deserved time together. 

“As we mourn his passing, we remain grateful for his life of sacrifice and service and his sustained striving for the realisation of the vision and dictates of our Constitution. 

“We carry his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria