Jazz: A music form fit for SA’s presidents

Former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe share a common passion – jazz.

Writing in the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz publication, Live The Music #Jazz Unleashed, both Mbeki and Motlanthe expressed their appreciation for one of the world’s oldest music forms.

To Mbeki, jazz has been “part of South African life for decades”.

“It was common in our townships to hear from one street corner to the other, sounds from the piano of Duke Ellington, the trumpet of Miles Davis and the tenor saxophone of Johnny Hodges.

“You would also hear the sweet voices of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and others.

“These would be competing against our own beautiful voices of Miriam Makeba, Kippie Moeketsi, Ntemi Piliso, Hugh Masekela, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stompie Mavi, Dolly Rathebe, Jonas Gwangwa and many others who used their craft to keep our spirits high,” said Mbeki.

The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, said Mbeki, had become an important part of the local jazz calendar.

“Jazz lovers from South Africa and neighbouring countries look forward to seeing greats like the Marsalis brothers [Wynton and Brandon], Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Bob James, Lizz Wright, Dianne Schuur, Brian Culbertson, Letta Mbuli, Tlale Makhene, Feya Faku, Caiphus Semenya, Ringo Madlingozi and many more,” added Mbeki.

Motlanthe described jazz as having developed “a distinct and unpredictable character”.

“It is uncontrollable, knows no bounds, defiant and is ceaselessly inventive,” said Motlanthe.

“During the dark days of apartheid oppression, jazz became one of the primary means through which anger, grief, compassion and the desire for change was transformed into positive energy.

“Many among the ranks of the oppressed found comfort and a sense of peace in the jazz music. It lifted their spirits in the same way as it galvanised their principled opposition to apartheid.

“It helped in shaping a sense of identity, originality and social cohesion among the oppressed.”