Jazz legend Sipho Gumede, who died on Monday after a battle with lung cancer, was laid to rest in Durban on Saturday, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Scores of music lovers, including high-profile musicians, family and friends attended the funeral ceremony.
Gumede was laid to rest to the very rhythm that he loved to share with music lovers with a band playing at his funeral.
From humble beginnings in the 1980s, Gumede went solo, creating a unique bass technique that brought him fame.
Musician Caiphas Semenya said: ”It’s difficult to tell people how to remember someone … but he was not just a talented bass player, he was highly intellectual … and if your children want to learn anything about music … listen to Sipho’s music. That’s the right path to becoming a great musician.”
Kwazulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele announced the establishment of a music academy as a tribute to Gumede, the report said.
”We owe it in terms of what culture has contributed from Sipho … it’s time to establish this academy as KwaZulu-Natal exports most of our musicians to the rest of the country … we need to record them, nurture them and teach them so that they understand business skills like Sipho did.”
Gumede is survived by his four children, Manthombi, Sifiso, Nozipho and Nonthuthuzelo. — Sapa