South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of award winning jazz musician, Jonas Gwangwa, on Saturday.
Aged 83, the esteemed Member of the Order of Ikhamanga was a globally recognised and awarded composer, arranger, producer and jazz trombonist.
In a statement, President Ramaphosa said his thoughts and prayers are with Gwangwa’s family, friends, colleagues, comrades and followers around South Africa, the continent and the world.
“A giant of our revolutionary cultural movement and our democratic creative industries has been called to rest; the trombone that boomed with boldness and bravery, and equally warmed our hearts with mellow melody has lost its life force.
“Jonas Gwanga ascends to our great orchestra of musical ancestors, whose creative genius and dedication to the freedom of all South Africans inspired millions in our country and mobilised the international community against the apartheid system. As we mourn the loss of many precious lives around us, we pray also that the soul of Jonas Gwangwa will rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said.
The citation for Gwangwa’s National Order, which he received in 2010, recalls how this South African paragon enthralled audiences around the world with his artistry as a composer and all-around creative genius.
For over 30 years, he travelled the world as an exile, collecting accolades wherever he went.
Ntate Gwangwa narrowly escaped death in 1985, when his home was blown up by the apartheid security forces.
A product of the turbulent but musically significant 1950s, he emerged from the humble environs of Orlando East in Soweto.
He delighted audiences in Sophiatown until it became illegal for black people to congregate and South African musicians were jailed merely for practising their craft.
In spite of the restrictions, he established and played with virtually every important band of the era, and icons such as Kippie Moeketsi, Abdullah Ibrahim, Johnny Gertze and Makhaya Ntshoko.
Jonas Gwangwa has also been a compatriot of famous musicians, including Ahmad Jamal, Herb Alpert, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Caiphus Semenya.
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