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Jonas Gwangwa embodied South Africa’s struggle for a national culture

Jonas Gwangwa embodied South Africa’s struggle for a national culture

MUSIC is not a zero-sum game with only one ‘best’. But if you seek to name one musician whose life embodies the South African people’s struggle for a national culture, it must be trombonist, composer and cultural activist Jonas Mosa Gwangwa, who was born on 19 October 1937 in Orlando East, Johannesburg, and died on 23 January 2021 in Johannesburg aged 83. GWEN ANSELL, Associate of the Gordon Institute for Business Science, University of Pretoria Through 65 years on stage, Gwangwa’s playing contributed to every genre of South African jazz. Overseas, he was hailed as player, producer and composer. Yet…
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Legendary jazz musician Jonas Gwangwa passes away at 83

Legendary jazz musician Jonas Gwangwa passes away at 83

MPHO RANTAO SOUTH African veteran musician Jonas Gwangwa has died. Gwangwa’s death comes two weeks after the passing of his wife, Violet Gwangwa. The internationally-acclaimed trombone player has entertained crowds across the world for forty years, using his music to tell audiences the stories of South African during apartheid - all being melodious, sombre or nostalgic.  Gwangwa was born in Orlando East in Soweto during the turbelent 1950s era of Apartheid South Africa. He gained popularity while performing in Sophiatown, and has performed alongside the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, Herb Alpert, Johnny Gertze, Miriam Makeba and Caiphus Semenya.…
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