Jonas Gwangwa: President Ramaphosa Confirms Passing of SA Jazz Icon
- South Africans have lost a legend with the passing of icon Jonas Gwangwa
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has lamented the death of the jazz musician
- Gwangwa served as a critical figure in the nation's jazz industry for a career spanning over 40 years
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has lamented the passing of Jonas Mosa Gwangwa on Saturday afternoon.
Source: Getty Images
Ramaphosa hailed the Soweto-born musician as a pillar of the nation's culture in a tribute:
"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."
The President continued by applauding Gwangwa's dedication to the liberation of the country:
"Jonas Gwangwa 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."
Ramaphosa concluded that, at such a sorrowful time for South Africa, he prayed that Gwangwa's soul will rest in peace.
"In our hour of mourning the loss of many precious lives around us, we pray also that the soul of Jonas Gwangwa will rest in peace."
This iconic musician continued to gain prominence even after The Jazz Epistles broke up both locally and abroad.
The 60s saw this talented individual beginning to gain traction in the United States, featuring in a 'Sound of Africa' concert at Carnegie Hall.
Gwangwa, despite international fame, was not favoured by the apartheid government and entered exile in the 1970s.
For a decade he served as the leader of Amandla, the cultural ensemble of the ANC and he would later serve as a composer for films like Cry Freedom.
From the Academy Awards to composing the theme for South Africa's Olympic bid, this man has made an unforgettable impact on the nation.
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that one of the five victims of the fatal Bergville KZN helicopter crash that took place on the 21 January 2021, Thursday this week, has been identified as a young and esteemed Joburg doctor, anaesthetist Dr Kgopotso Rudolph Monoyane.
The young doctor and four of his colleagues who have been identified as Dr Curnick Siyabonga Mahlangu, a cardiothoracic surgeon; Mpho Xaba, a specialist theatre nurse for cardiothoracic and transplant; Sinjin Joshua Farrance, an advanced life support paramedic at Netcare 911; and pilot Mark Stoxreiter who were responding to a call to pick up a critically ill patient in the KZN area when the crash occurred.
As the story unfolds, it has been discovered that Dr Monoyane and the rest of the crew were meant to leave hours early but were held back after Jackson Mthembu's health started deteriorating and Dr Monoyane was called to help another team of doctors save Mthembu's life.
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Source: Briefly News
