Jonas Gwangwa
latest news & developmentsMlungisi Gegana: A page-turner of a career
The bassist and composer reflects on 40 years in music and his newly released album
Let’s find our peace before we rest: Sibongile Khumalo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa
I have come to realise that death is the ultimate rest. It is the “peace” part where the problems start
Abadala, Baholo: A Tribute to The Elders
Tseliso Monaheng writes a paean to the jazz and African music torchbearers who have moved on to other worlds – Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Jonas Gwangw
Malcolm Jiyane: A tale of two albums
The jazz musician’s album comes with a backstory as good as the music itself
Bheki Mseleku: An activist on his own terms
Steve Dyer reflects on jazz musician Bheki Mseleku’s contribution to the canon
Brass, class, steel and sorrow: Jonas Gwangwa cut close to the bone
The trombonist’s music-making was inextricably tied up with South Africa’s struggle for freedom
‘Amandla’ review: Blood, tears and music of the struggle
‘Amandla’s’ status as a cultural rallying point during apartheid is captured in this Sounds review, republished in Chimurenga’s book ‘Festac 77’
How Jonas Gwangwa used his music to preserve his mother tongue
Music giant Dr Jonas Gwangwa, who passed away on 23 January, used his influence to promote the language of his people MaNdebele ase Nyakatho, writes Lucas Ledwaba
Exile, exhilaration and Jonas Gwangwa’s case of the ‘South African Blues’
The 1990 documentary ‘South African Blues’ offers insight into the effects of exile on Jonas Gwangwa’s psyche
The Portfolio: Siphiwe Mhlambi on Jonas Gwanga, ‘a proper human being’
Siphiwe Mhlambi spent several years photographing his friend Jonas Gwangwa as he performed. Mhlambi spoke to the Mail & Guardian about their relationship
Jonas Gwangwa embodied South Africa’s struggle for a national culture
Gwangwa’s love for the struggle was genuine and deep, never cosmetic – and he couldn’t have written an unattractive tune if he tried
Violet Gwangwa: Natural class, nurturing brass
A builder of networks and a tactical freedom fighter, Violet Molebatsi Gwangwa nurtured not only the liberation movement, but also the creative spirit within her family
Parsing Kabila through rumba
‘Chimurenga Chronic: Who Killed Kabila II’ sees memories of the past battle the future
No more pain: Lala ngoxolo Bra Hugh Masekela
A raconteur par excellence and larger than life figure, Masekela takes to his grave a part of each and everyone of us.
And thus do I salute him
The poet fought injustice wherever he found it and became a key figure in the ANC-in-exile’s arts and culture department