For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.
In the early hours of 13 September, 2024, South Africa lost one of its most formidable public servants. Pravin Gordhan, a stalwart of the anti-apartheid movement and a key architect of South Africa's post-apartheid fiscal system, passed away at the age of 75.
As we reflect on his legacy, it's crucial to recognise the pivotal role he played in transforming South Africa's tax system from an instrument of oppression to a cornerstone of democratic governance.
Colonial oppression and apartheid's shadows
To truly appreciate Gordhan's contributions, we must first understand the dark history of South Africa's fiscal system under both colonial and apartheid rule.