Pravin Gordhan

Pravin Gordhan
Minister of Finance
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 December 2015
President	Jacob Zuma
Preceded by	David van Rooyen
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	Lechesa Tsenoli
Succeeded by	David van Rooyen
Personal details
Born	(1949-04-12) 12 April 1949 Durban, South Africa
Political party	Communist Party (Before 2009) African National Congress (2009–present)
Alma mater	University of Durban-Westville

Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan (born 12 April 1949 in Durban) is a South African politician and current Minister of Finance, a position he had previously held from 2009-2014. He is also the former Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, serving from 2014–2015.^[1]

Early years

Pravin Gordhan was born in Durban and matriculated from Sastri College in 1967. In 1973 he graduated from the University for Durban-Westville with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Gordhan became associated with members of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) In 1971 and was elected to its executive council in 1974.

During the 1970s, Gordhan helped establish grassroots organisations that became involved in underground activities and associated with the African National Congress (ANC) and later the South African Communist Party (SACP). He completed his pharmacy internship at King Edward VIII Hospital In 1974 and worked there until 1981 when the Natal Provincial Administration dismissed him for his political activities while he was in detention. He was released from jail in 1982 and received banning orders effective until June 1983. Gordhan attended the launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Cape Town 1983 where the also NIC became an affiliated organisation.

Gordhan attended the preparatory meeting for the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) in 1991 as a joint NIC/Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) representative, and was appointed NIC/TIC delegate to the steering committee responsible for organising Codesa 1. In 1993 he was appointed to the panel of chairpersons on the planning committee of the multi-party negotiation process.^[2]

Career

He was previously the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service from 1999 to 2009.^[3] From 1991 and 1994, he chaired the Convention for a Democratic South Africa.^[3]

As a member of parliament from 1994 to 1998, Gordhan chaired the parliamentary committee that focused on the implementation of the new Constitution and the transformation of local government in the post-apartheid.

Gordhan was chairman of the World Customs Organization in from 2000 to 2006.^[3]

On 10 May 2009, President Jacob Zuma appointed Gordhan as Minister of Finance, succeeding Trevor Manuel.^[4] On the 25 May 2014, he was replaced by Nhlanhla Nene as Minister of Finance.^[5]

In 2014, Gordhan was appointed as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,^[6] succeeding Lechesa Tsenoli who became Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa.^[7]

On 14 December 2015, Gordhan was re-appointed as Minister of Finance, replacing David van Rooyen who had been minister for 4 days.^[8]

On the eve of the 2016 Budget Speech, that was to be tabled on the 24th February 2016, a list of questions from the Hawks was sent to Pravin Gordhan. In total there were 27 questions around the alleged "rogue unit" at South African Revenue Service.^[9] Mr Gordhan was the SARS commissioner in 2007, when the so-called rogue unit was set up. He has maintained that it was above board and had ministerial approval.^[10] Many questioned the timing of the questions sent including Gwede Mantashe, the Secretary General of the African National Congress.^[11] Pravin Gordhan himself was baffled by the questions, having the following to say "Once again, the Hawks and those who instruct them, have no regard for the economic and social welfare of millions".^[12] He then sent a letter to the Hawks through his department that he would be unable to meet the deadline imposed. The letter from his office stated that "He will respond in due course, once he has properly examined the questions and ascertained what information, of the information you request, he is able to provide". He also wanted to know of what authority the Hawks are asking these questions of him.^[13] On the 30th March 2016, he replied to the questions put to him by the Hawks.^[14] Mr Gordhan was quoted as saying, “I believe this was meant to intimidate and distract us from the work we had to do in preparing the 2016 Budget".^[15]

In October 2016, South Africa state prosecutor levied fraud charges against Gordhan for allowing a former colleague at the South African Revenue Service and then re-hiring them as a consultant. Charges were dropped few days later. ^[16]

Honours and awards

Honorary degrees

• University of South Africa, Honorary Doctor of Commerce, May 2007
• University of Cape Town, Doctor of Law (honoris causa), June 2007
• Central University of Technology, Doctor of Technology (honoris causa), March 2009

References