Award-winning jazz musician Jonas Gwangwa dies

Musician, songwriter and producer, Jonas Gwangwa has passed on at the age of 83.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the musician’s family following his death.

“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,” said Ramaphosa.

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.#RIPJonasGwangwa pic.twitter.com/hlg4PyKQl4

— Cyril Ramaphosa ???????? #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 23, 2021

This as the country commemorates the deaths of late legends Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi.

The legendary musician has received Academy, Grammy, Bafta, Golden Globe and Anthony Asquith award nominations and won the Ivor Novello and Black Emmy awards.

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Gwangwa was awarded The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold for his contribution to music and the struggle for freedom in South Africa in 2010.

“So intense and rousing were Jonas Gwangwa’s instrumental tunes, that the apartheid censorship machinery banned his records without bothering to check the lyrical content. The album was mostly instrumental but the revolutionary verve could not be mistaken: here was music inspired and fed by a people’s thirst for liberation.

“Gwangwa and many other musicians managed to sing down apartheid, as it were. In their music lay the stirring account of the struggle against racial oppression in South Africa. For every song, there was pain, for every tune there was joy and heartbreak as South Africans at home and abroad sought solace and encouragement,” said the presidency at the time.

Condolences have been pouring in:

This iconic Generations opening theme was composed by ntate Jonas Gwangwa.#RIPJonasGwangwa pic.twitter.com/NNOu84g2SZ

— thabang350™ (@thabang350) January 23, 2021

A giant has fallen ????
The 23rd of January will be remembered as a sad day for the country and the music industry. Condolences to the Gwangwa family. #RIPJonasGwangwa ???? pic.twitter.com/RK4dgQ8Nwn

— KeepTheFaith EP Out Now (@OskidoIBelieve) January 23, 2021

Fortunate to have watched him perform live #RIPJonasGwangwa ???? pic.twitter.com/2Qdl2bQyTQ

— ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@Nhlakanipho517) January 23, 2021

Rest in Power legend your music will on through the lyrics that we hear in your song #RIPJonasGwangwa pic.twitter.com/fHlaw8ZADM

— Simphiwe Ntshingila (@djshluthu99) January 23, 2021

23 January will always be this dark day in the Music Industry….On this particular day we have lost yet another Legend…Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela passed on ,on this particular day too. #RIPJonasGwangwa pic.twitter.com/dbQ1HSsTzK

— Sizwe (@mehlulisizwe) January 23, 2021

I and I suppose many others included this song in their wedding playlist. I for one had requested the DJ to play it after the ceremony when we depart from the chapel. Such a loss to South Africa as a whole. Robala ka kgotso Ntate Jonas Gwangwa #RIPJonasGwangwa pic.twitter.com/kJE3zzGG0T

— Prof (@Lebza24) January 23, 2021

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