F Hassan

As the Nation awoke last week Friday, we learnt with sadness of the passing of former Minister and activist comrade Pravin Gordhan (colloquially known as “PG”).

Comrade PG began his activism at a young age fighting the brutal apartheid regime in Natal. He was critical in the underground movement in Natal and played a vital role in forming the United Democratic Front.

Later he served as a chairperson of the multiparty negotiations in CODESA and would go on to be elected as an MP from 1994.

As SARS Commissioner he transformed the revenue service to a world class entity and continued to revolutionise government as a Minister.

We look up to comrade PG’s bravery and courage in the face of corruption and the infamous state capture. And we will work till the very end to remove “corrupt, greedy and self-serving officials from public office” as per your last words to us in your letter.

He lived his life striving for the realisation of a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist society. Even to his dying day, cde PG fought for the renewal of the ANC and the clean-up of government.

Comrade PG, we will continue the fight you have started for a better life for the masses of our people. Consider the baton passed on. We, the younger generation have learnt from your staunch courage in the face of extreme violence and opposition. We are not afraid to fight for that non-racial non-sexist free and democratic society.

Please send our regards to our fallen leaders: cde Mandela, Uncle Kathy, Cde Laloo Chiba, cde Joe Slovo and cde Dullah Omar.

Hamba Kahle Comrade PG
Hamba Kahle Mkhonto