Pravin Gordhan Biography: 14 Things You Need To Know About The South African Minister of Public Enterprises

Pravin Gordhan, born on April 12, 1949, is a South African politician and activist who is known for some of the ministerial posts he had held in the Cabinet of South Africa. 

He is a former Minister of Finance, a former Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the current Minister of Public Enterprises, a position he has held since February 2018. 

14 Things To Know About Pravin Gordhan

Here are 14 things you need to know about South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan:

• His real name is Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan
• He was born on April 12, 1949, in Durban, South Africa
• As of 2024, he is 75 years old
• He acquired basic education at Sastri College before going on to attend the University of Durban-Westville where he acquired a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy
• He underwent his pharmacy internship at King Edward VIII Hospital in 1974 and 1981
• He started his journey towards activism in 1971 when he joined the Natal Indian Congress and was elected to its executive council three years later
• Between 1991 and 1994, he co-chaired the Transitional Executive Council and was the chairman of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa, both of which were crucial in the success of South Africa's first non-racial election held in April 1994 
• From 1999 to 2009, he served as the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service. During that period, he also served as the chairman of the World Customs Organization, specifically from 2000 to 2006
• Following his tenure as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 2009, he was appointed as Minister of Finance by then President Jacob Zuma
• In 2009 and 2010, he was given the Padma Bhushan award and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, respectively, by the President of India for his contributions as a public servant to South Africa
• After Lechesa Tsenoli became Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa in 2014, Pravin Gordhan was appointed as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to fill the vacant position left by him. 
• In December 2015, he was re-appointed as Minister of Finance and served from that time until 2017
• Some of his honors include a Honorary Doctor of Commerce by the University of South Africa in 2007, a Doctor of Law by the University of Cape Town in 2007, a Doctor of Technology by the Central University of Technology in 2009, Business Leader of the Year by Sunday Times in 2016, and Doctor of Business Administration by Henley Business School in 2018. 
• As of 2024, he has an estimated net worth of R5.99 million