ON STAGE. Internationally acclaimed South African jazz musician Jonathan Butler performs at The Westcliff in Johannesburg during a charity dinner for The Hope School. Picture: Alaister Russell
Jonathan Butler is a true son of the soil and vocal about the drugs, poverty and gangsterism plaguing South African communities, especially on the Cape Flats, where he was born and raised.
These hardships, which were prevalent even when he was a child, are what fuelled his ambition to make a career out of music. He spoke frankly about his own drug addiction at a press conference before the Cape Town International Jazz Festival this past weekend, saying the situation needed greater attention.
We were smoking pills [Mandrax] and didn’t know any better. We were young and stupid,” Butler said. “I didn’t do needles and stuff like that, but I was definitely gone. I was on another level with drugs, smoking marijuana 24 hours a day.
“That was decades ago, yet the situation is even more serious now, with the youth impacted by the drug epidemic.” Butler, who has been rehabilitated for many years, started using drugs when he was 14 years old and his music career was on the up. By age 15, he was hooked, mainly on marijuana and mandrax tablets (methaqualone).
Just when he was about to spiral out of control, Butler turned to Christianity and away from drugs. Clean and focused, his career shot to new heights and even garnered him a Grammy nomination.
Despite the growing international recognition and massive album sales, Butler still made time for social and community development. Having never completed his own education, he is deeply passionate about the youth and their access to quality education.
“Though I do not have a college degree, I believe in the importance of education and its power to help change the narrative of young people everywhere.”
In September 2013, he launched the Jonathan Butler Foundation in South Africa, with a broad mission to provide a purpose to the lives of disaffected youth, no matter where or who they are.
The foundation uses a unique combination of music and therapy-based programmes, developed by professionals and academics, to tap into and nurture the talents of youth.
“I’ve come to a really good place in my life – even if finding my way here was tough. I’m living my dream and it’s amazing what God is doing.” In response to some of the media calling him a “music legend”, an ever-humble Butler says he’s not comfortable with that title, as “legend” implies he’s done or is doing great things.
“It brings to mind images of me in a superhero cape and going after guys like Trump and righting the wrongs of society.”
He says he’s just a proud South African musician, living abroad and doing what little he can to make the lives of a few of the local youngsters better. “The jazz festival is my annual pilgrimage home and a chance to see what more the foundation can do – and to eat some great home-cooked local food, like trotters and beans,” he concludes to laughter from the media.
– news@citizen.co.za
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