President Jacob Zuma has joined a flood of people expressing their condolences on the death of local music icon and a pioneer of the so-called Mbhaqanga traditional music sound David Masondo.
Masondo‚ a member of the Soul Brothers group‚ died in Johannesburg at the weekend at the age of 67.
“The whole nation mourns this talented icon of our country‚ whose music not only put South Africa on the global world stage but also could be heard in the streets‚ in the valleys and all corners of our country. It was music for the whole family‚” Zuma said in a statement.
He added: “We wish to convey‚ on behalf of government and the entire nation‚ our deepest condolences on the passing of this cultural hero. His loss is the whole nation’s loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa also conveyed his condolences to Masondo’s family.
“The group being formed in 1974‚ during the darkest times in the history of our country entertained the working class communities and the rural poor speaking to their challenges of the day and giving them hope‚” Mthethwa said.
Soul Brothers produced over 30 albums and remained the most successful proponents of the Mbaqanga or traditional sound which dominated South African urban music for over three decades‚ Mthethwa said.
“The group enjoyed a massive commercial success and acclaim. Amongst its success was to record an album with another South African who was in exile at the time in Botswana‚” department spokesperson Sandile Memela said.
In 1983‚ the group recorded an album with the legendary artist Hugh Masekela.
“Due to the draconian laws of apartheid and the academic and cultural boycott imposed on apartheid South Africa by the world community‚ this group could only travel to Europe in 1990‚” Memela said.
Gauteng MEC for Sport‚ Arts‚ Culture and Recreation MEC‚ Molebatsi Bopape‚ said Masondo and the Soul Brothers had touched the lives of many indigenous music lovers in South Africa and abroad since their formation in 1974‚ with over 35 albums produced.
“In Masondo we’ve lost one of our greatest assets‚ a symbol of our indigenous knowledge and culture. We hope we can still have the group producing the kind of music we have come to be known and recognised for by the world. On behalf of the entire Gauteng government and its people‚ we’d like to express our sincerest sympathies to the family‚ members of the group and all loved ones. May his soul rest in peace and his legacy continue to be an inspiration for the nation‚” Bopape said.
Zuma expresses condolences on death of local music icon
President Jacob Zuma has joined a flood of people expressing their condolences on the death of local music icon and a pioneer of the so-called Mbhaqanga traditional music sound David Masondo.
Masondo‚ a member of the Soul Brothers group‚ died in Johannesburg at the weekend at the age of 67.
“The whole nation mourns this talented icon of our country‚ whose music not only put South Africa on the global world stage but also could be heard in the streets‚ in the valleys and all corners of our country. It was music for the whole family‚” Zuma said in a statement.
He added: “We wish to convey‚ on behalf of government and the entire nation‚ our deepest condolences on the passing of this cultural hero. His loss is the whole nation’s loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa also conveyed his condolences to Masondo’s family.
“The group being formed in 1974‚ during the darkest times in the history of our country entertained the working class communities and the rural poor speaking to their challenges of the day and giving them hope‚” Mthethwa said.
Soul Brothers produced over 30 albums and remained the most successful proponents of the Mbaqanga or traditional sound which dominated South African urban music for over three decades‚ Mthethwa said.
“The group enjoyed a massive commercial success and acclaim. Amongst its success was to record an album with another South African who was in exile at the time in Botswana‚” department spokesperson Sandile Memela said.
In 1983‚ the group recorded an album with the legendary artist Hugh Masekela.
“Due to the draconian laws of apartheid and the academic and cultural boycott imposed on apartheid South Africa by the world community‚ this group could only travel to Europe in 1990‚” Memela said.
Gauteng MEC for Sport‚ Arts‚ Culture and Recreation MEC‚ Molebatsi Bopape‚ said Masondo and the Soul Brothers had touched the lives of many indigenous music lovers in South Africa and abroad since their formation in 1974‚ with over 35 albums produced.
“In Masondo we’ve lost one of our greatest assets‚ a symbol of our indigenous knowledge and culture. We hope we can still have the group producing the kind of music we have come to be known and recognised for by the world. On behalf of the entire Gauteng government and its people‚ we’d like to express our sincerest sympathies to the family‚ members of the group and all loved ones. May his soul rest in peace and his legacy continue to be an inspiration for the nation‚” Bopape said.
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