The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) joins the people of South Africa and the global jazz community in mourning the passing of the legendary pianist, composer, and cultural ambassador, Professor Abdullah Ibrahim. At the age of 91, South Africa has lost one of its greatest musical sons, whose extraordinary contribution to jazz, culture, and the struggle for freedom leaves an enduring legacy.
Born Adolph Johannes Brand in District Six, Cape Town, Abdullah Ibrahim rose to prominence during apartheid as “Dollar Brand”, becoming a symbol of artistic excellence and resistance. Through his pioneering fusion of South African musical traditions and jazz, he helped define what became known as Cape Jazz and established himself as one of the most influential musicians our country has ever produced.
As a founding member of the Jazz Epistles alongside Hugh Masekela and Kippie Moeketsi, Ibrahim helped shape modern South African jazz. His compositions, most notably Mannenberg, became powerful symbols of resistance and hope, capturing the aspirations of a people determined to achieve freedom and dignity. Over a career spanning more than seven decades, Abdullah Ibrahim performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, collaborated with leading international artists, and carried the spirit of South Africa wherever he went.
His immense contribution to music earned him numerous honours, including the South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, the German Jazz Award, multiple honorary doctorates, and recognition as a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master in the United States, one of the highest honours in jazz.
He also received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver from the democratic government of South Africa for his outstanding contribution to music and the struggle for freedom. Despite his global acclaim, he remained deeply connected to his homeland, continually returning to perform, teach, and inspire new generations.
The EFF is particularly grateful that South Africans were able to witness one final historic performance by this giant of music at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival earlier this year. Even in his nineties, he demonstrated the grace, brilliance, and creative power that defined his remarkable life.
We thank Tata Abdullah Ibrahim for the immeasurable contribution he made to South Africa’s cultural heritage and liberation history. Through his music, he gave voice to the struggles, resilience, and aspirations of our people, proving that art can be a powerful instrument of resistance and social transformation. His work elevated South African jazz to international acclaim and ensured that our stories reached audiences across the globe.
The EFF extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, his partner Dr Marina Umari, his children, grandchildren, friends, fellow musicians, students, and admirers around the world. While South Africa mourns the passing of a cultural giant, we take comfort in knowing that his music and legacy will endure for generations to come.
Rest in eternal power, Tata Abdullah Ibrahim. Your melodies will continue to inspire the struggle for justice, dignity, and freedom.
The EFF has a zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence.
daisy stick
Diary of an Englishman after he moves to South Africa….
**August 1**: Just got transferred with work from London, UK to our new home in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa. Now this is a town that knows how to live! Beautiful, sunny days and warm, balmy evenings. I watched the sunset from a deckchair by our pool yesterday. It was beautiful. I’ve finally found my new home. I love it here.
**September 1:** Really heating up now. It got to 31 today. No problem though. Living in air-conditioned home, driving air-conditioned car. What a pleasure to see the sun every day like this. I’m turning into a sun-worshipper – no blasted rain like back in London! Had the back yard landscaped with tropical plants today. Lots of palms and rocks. No more mowing lawns for me! Another scorcher today, but I love it here. It’s Paradise !
**October 1:** The temperature hasn’t been below 35 all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? At least today it’s windy though. Keeps the flies off a bit. Acclimatizing is taking longer than we expected. Fell asleep by the pool yesterday. Got third degree burns over 60% of my body. Missed three days off work. What a dumb thing to do. Got to respect the old sun in a climate like this!
**October 25:** This wind is a bastard. It feels like a giant fucking blow dryer. And it’s hot as hell! The home air conditioner is on the blink and the repair man charged R200 just to drive over and tell me he needs to order parts from @#$# Johannesburg. The wife & the kids are complaining.
**October 30:** The temperature’s up around 40 and the parts still haven’t arrived for the fucking air conditioner. House is an oven so we’ve all been sleeping outside by the pool for 3 nights now. Bleeding R4 million house and we can’t even go inside. Why the hell did I ever come here?
**November 4:** Finally got the fucking air-conditioner fixed. It cost R1,500 and gets the temperature down to around 35 degrees. Stupid repairman. Fucking thief. If one more smart bastard says ‘Hot enough for you today?’ I’m going to fucking throttle him. Fucking heat! By the time I get to work, the car radiator is boiling over, my fucking clothes are soaking fucking wet and I smell like baked cat. Fucking place is the end of the Earth.
**November 9:** Tried to run some errands after work, wore shorts, and sat on the black leather upholstery in my car. I thought my fucking backside was on fire. I lost 2 layers of flesh, all the hair on the backs of my legs and off my fucking behind. Now the car smells like burnt hair, fried bum and baked cat. The Weather report might as well be a fucking recording – hot and sunny. Hot and sunny, Hot and fucking sunny. It’s been too hot to do anything for 2 bleeding months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week. Fuck!!
**November 15:** Doesn’t it ever rain in this darn place? Water restrictions will be next, so my R5,000 worth of palms might just dry up and blow into the fucking pool. The only things that thrive in this hell-hole are the fucking flies. You don’t dare open your mouth for fear of swallowing half a dozen of the little buzzards!
**November 20:** Welcome to HELL! It got to 45 degrees today. Now the air conditioner is gone in my car. The repair man came to fix it and said, ‘Hot enough for you today?’ I wanted to shove the car up his backside. Anyway, had to spend the R2,500 of the mortgage payment to bail me out of jail for assaulting the stupid fool. Fucking PHALABORWA! What kind of sick, demented idiot would want to live here!
**December 1:** WHAT!!!! The FIRST day of Summer!!!!
You are fucking kidding me, right?
Winter Bite
Fun South African Fact: There are more than 2000 shipwrecks off the South African coast, most dating back at least 500 years.