Ramaphosa declares an official funeral for Pravin Gordhan

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted late former public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan an official funeral.

Gordhan died during the early hours of Friday morning at a Johannesburg hospital, aged 75.

Gordhan retired from politics this year after the May elections, following over two decades in public service.

READ: He had no regrets: Politicians, civil society pay tribute to Pravin Gordhan 

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill in Pretoria on Friday, Ramaphosa said Gordhan was one of the most courageous freedom fighters the country has known.

“I had the occasion to go and see and spend some time with him last night in hospital as I returned from Cape Town before he passed on and after that I was able to get a moment to speak to him even though he could no longer hear me. But it was a sad moment for me to be able to watch him as he was passing on, on his journey to another world.”

Gordhan will be laid to rest in Durban next week Thursday.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation's Neeshan Bolton:

“It will be an official funeral. It will be followed by a private cremation after the funeral itself but further details on this will be forthcoming from government, particularly from The Presidency, but it’s happening in Durban on Thursday.”