Pravin Gordhan

Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan (born 12 April 1949 in Durban) is a South African politician and current Minister of Finance, a position he had previously held from 2009-2014. He is also the former Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, serving from 2014–2015.

Early years

Pravin Gordhan was born in Durban and matriculated from Sastri College in 1967. In 1973 he graduated from the University for Durban-Westville with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Gordhan became associated with members of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) In 1971 and was elected to its executive council in 1974.

During the 1970s, Gordhan helped establish grassroots organisations that became involved in underground activities and associated with the African National Congress (ANC) and later the South African Communist Party (SACP). He completed his pharmacy internship at King Edward VIII Hospital In 1974 and worked there until 1981 when the Natal Provincial Administration dismissed him for his political activities while he was in detention. He was released from jail in 1982 and received banning orders effective until June 1983. Gordhan attended the launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Cape Town 1983 where the also NIC became an affiliated organisation.