Gordhan hailed as 'extraordinary human being' at funeral

Pravin Gordhan. Photo: GCIS

NATIONAL NEWS AND VIDEO - Former Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan was hailed as a ‘patriot and extraordinary human being’ during his funeral service in Durban yesterday afternoon.

Addressing mourners at Gordhan’s funeral service at the Durban Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC), his former colleague Mcebisi Jonas hailed Gordhan as a person who worked tirelessly for the development of the country.

Everything he did, even the fight against state capture at a time when it was unfashionable to do so, was because of the love he had for the country and its people.

“Today it’s supposed to be a farewell to him, but it’s not.”

“There is no nation that can bid farewell to its own history.

“He was loyal to his country, a true patriot.

“When he fell into unconsciousness while in hospital, he moved when his family members played the national anthem,” he said.

Jonas was Gordhan’s deputy when Gordhan was the finance minister.

Former Economic Development minister Ebrahim Patel described Gordhan as a ‘hands-on and well-informed leader’.

“His passing is like a fall of a tree which was an anchor to us.”

The former minister, who was been granted a Category 2 State funeral, was due to be cremated in Durban yesterday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his eulogy for Gordhan, said that for all his achievements, despite his immense contribution to this country, Gordhan was at all times a humble human being and activist.

“It was his humility as a person and as a leader that made him great.

“It was his unwavering belief that a political activist must serve no other cause than the cause of freedom that made Pravin Gordan exceptional.

“It is that which makes great all true servant leaders,” he said.

Watch: Pravin Gordhan’s funeral service:

Read original story on witness.co.za 

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