​Renowned jazz trombonist Jonas Gwangwa, who died aged 83 over the weekend, has been fondly remembered by his bereaved family as a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor, describing his death as a profound loss.

Gwangwa’s passing came seventeen days after that of his wife, Violet Molebatsi.

“Our father left this earth to join his lifetime sweetheart and soul mate,” says his family through their PR firm, JT Communication Solutions.

The legendary jazz musician, who enjoyed international acclaim had reportedly been ill for the past two years. He often sported his signature black beret, a revolutionary symbol characteristic of the mainstream fashion of his heydays.

The Executive Mayor, Cllr Geoff Makhubo, explains in a heartfelt tribute how he had tried to schedule a meeting with Gwangwa before his death, to no avail.

“I went to visit him two weeks ago and did not get to see him as he was not feeling well on the day. I had planned to have a cup of tea with him and honour this great citizen of the City and country at large,” Mayor Makhubo explains.

Gwangwa switched off his trombone permanently on Saturday, 23 January following an illustrious career that spanned over seven decades. He had worked both on the local and international stages and was a political activist in his own right. His career traversed all faculties of music, including musical theatre and the arts in general.

“We are blessed and grateful to have been part of a life and legacy of love and avant-garde creativity,” reads a statement from his family.

The artist was a recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold for his exceptional contribution to music and the fight for freedom in South Africa. His contribution to the country’s liberation struggle was immense and felt in the instrumental tunes he produced during the apartheid era.

“Ntate Gwangwa epitomised what it meant to turn every area of life into a site of struggle by using his enormous musical talents to tell the story of South Africa’s racism and oppression to the world,” Cllr Makhubo explains.

Mayor Makhubo says the greatest tribute the City can pay to Gwangwa is to continue working for a better life for all South Africans because, as he put it in song, “freedom for some is freedom for none”.

“We recognise that a big tree has fallen, a musical giant and genius is no more. Raised in Soweto, a true son of the soil. May your soul rest in eternal peace. Robala ka Kgotso Ntate Jonas Gwangwa,” adds Cllr Makhubo.

The Gwangwa family says it’s grateful for the outpouring of love it has received since his death and has asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of both their parents.