Pravin Gordhan: What you don't know about South Africa's former finance minister

Pravin Gordhan is a South African politician who served as the Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. He is a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and has held various positions in government, including Minister of Public Enterprises and Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Gordhan is a controversial figure in South African politics. He is a strong advocate for economic reform and has been critical of corruption and mismanagement in government. He has also been accused of being too close to big business and of not doing enough to help the poor.

Despite the controversy, Gordhan is widely respected as a competent and experienced politician. He is seen as a safe pair of hands and a reliable ally by the ANC leadership. He is also popular with the public, who see him as a champion of the poor and a fighter against corruption.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Pravin Gordhan's life and career. We will examine his political views, his achievements and failures, and his impact on South African politics.

Early life and education

Pravin Gordhan was born in Durban, South Africa, on 12 April 1949. He is the son of Indian immigrants who came to South Africa in the early 1900s. Gordhan grew up in a working-class family and attended a local Indian school.

After graduating from high school, Gordhan went on to study at the University of Durban-Westville, where he earned a degree in economics and political science. He also completed a postgraduate diploma in public administration from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Political career

Gordhan began his political career in the early 1970s, when he joined the African National Congress (ANC). He was arrested and detained by the apartheid government for his political activities and spent several years in prison.

After the end of apartheid in 1994, Gordhan was elected to the South African Parliament. He served as the Minister of Public Enterprises from 1999 to 2004 and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2004 to 2009.

In 2009, Gordhan was appointed Minister of Finance by President Jacob Zuma. He served in this position until 2014, when he was replaced by Nhlanhla Nene. Gordhan was reappointed Minister of Finance in 2015, but he was fired in 2017 by President Jacob Zuma.

Political views

Pravin Gordhan is a social democrat who believes in the power of government to improve the lives of its citizens. He is a strong advocate for economic reform and has been critical of corruption and mismanagement in government.

Gordhan believes that the government should play a role in providing basic services to its citizens, such as healthcare, education, and housing. He also believes that the government should invest in infrastructure and other projects that will create jobs and boost the economy.

Gordhan is a strong supporter of the ANC and believes that the party is the best hope for a better future for South Africa. He is a pragmatist who believes that compromise is necessary to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Achievements and failures

Pravin Gordhan is widely respected as a competent and experienced politician. He is seen as a safe pair of hands and a reliable ally by the ANC leadership. He is also popular with the public, who see him as a champion of the poor and a fighter against corruption.

Gordhan's achievements as Minister of Finance include stabilizing the economy after the 2008 financial crisis, reducing the budget deficit, and introducing a number of reforms to improve the efficiency of the tax system.

However, Gordhan has also been criticized for his handling of the economy. He has been accused of being too close to big business and of not doing enough to help the poor.

Impact on South African politics

Pravin Gordhan is a controversial figure in South African politics. He is a strong advocate for economic reform and has been critical of corruption and mismanagement in government. He has also been accused of being too close to big business and of not doing enough to help the poor.

Despite the controversy, Gordhan is widely respected as a competent and experienced politician. He is seen as a safe pair of hands and a reliable ally by the ANC leadership. He is also popular with the public, who see him as a champion of the poor and a fighter against corruption.

Gordhan's impact on South African politics is likely to be felt for many years to come. He is a powerful force within the ANC and is seen as a potential future leader of the party.

Pravin Gordhan is a complex and contradictory figure. He is a strong advocate for economic reform and has been critical of corruption and mismanagement in government. However, he has also been accused of being too close to big business and of not doing enough to help the poor.

Despite the controversy, Gordhan is widely respected as a competent and experienced politician. He is seen as a safe pair of hands and a reliable ally by the ANC leadership. He is also popular with the public, who see him as a champion of the poor and a fighter against corruption.

Gordhan's impact on South African politics is likely to be felt for many years to come. He is a powerful force within the ANC and is seen as a potential future leader of the party.