As globally fêted trombonist, composer and crooner, Jonas Gwangwa is laid to rest in his hometown, the Executive Mayor has labelled him the epitome of the struggle for freedom and democracy.

“If you seek to name one musician that embodies the South African people’s struggle for a national culture, it must be trombonist, composer and cultural activist Jonas Mosa Gwangwa,” says Cllr Geoff Makhubo.

Gwangwa died a week ago aged 83, with his bereaved family remembering him fondly as a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor.

“Ntate Jonas 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.

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.

Gwangwa switched off his trombone permanently after 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.

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.

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,” adds Cllr Makhubo.