JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness at the death of former Minister Pravin Gordhan.
He died in hospital, surrounded by family, in the early hours of Friday morning.
Ramaphosa says Gordhan was an outstanding leader and a beacon of the fight against corruption.
He says it was this anti-corruption stance that drew derision and threats from those intent on raiding resources.
Gordhan served as Cabinet Minister in three portfolios between 2009 and May this year.
For the past six years he served in Ramaphosa's Executive as Public Enterprises Minister.
Before then, he was Finance Minister and later moved to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
In addition, Gordhan is credited with turning the Revenue Services around and making it a credible institution.
Ramaphosa has asked the country to remember Gordhan's 'personal sacrifices' from his anti-apartheid activism days, right up to the last days he retired from active politics.
This includes being fired as a pharmacist from Durban’s King Edward the Eighth hospital and fighting off corruption under huge pressure during the years of state capture.