×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Friends call for DT Ngwenya Jazz Trust

A DT Ngwenya Jazz Scholarship Memorial Trust was mooted at the memorial service of late Ukhozi FM jazz presenter Dalton Thamsanqa Ngwenya.

DT Ngwenya, as he was fondly known, died in a Durban hospital last Wednesday after a short battle with stomach cancer.

Death struck only eight months into a well-earned retirement, after he had clocked 32 years of unbroken service at the SABC's premier radio station.

His colleagues described the 63-year-old DT as a dexterous presenter who was at home in any field assigned to him. But they said his Umculo weJazz programme on Sundays was his flagship.

At his memorial service at the Mangosuthu Technikon Multi-Sports Centre in uMlazi, speakers lamented the passing of a man who used his velvet voice to connect thousands of jazz lovers countrywide.

Humble, perfectionist and passionate were among the adjectives used often to describe DT.

In between speeches strains of jazz music filled the sports arena, while a painting of DT bearing his characteristic smile looked approvingly at the congregation.

Speaking on behalf of Jazz Associations, Ernest Molotsi from Durban said the idea of a jazz trust named after DT received nationwide support after a flurry of phone discussions this week.

Molotsi said: "At the moment we hold sessions each week in our own areas all over the country, but there's no single objective that binds us all. A scholarship named after DT would create the purpose of putting something into the development of future jazz musicians all over the country."

DT's daughter, Nomkhosi Dlamini, said while growing up she and her three siblings were exposed to a variety of music - but j azz took precedence.

"At first it was dad's music, but slowly we were all sucked in until it became part of us in the family, especially mom."

Nomkhosi says her late mother, Lucy, was her dad's biggest fan.

"She never missed his jazz programmes on Sundays. Now and then she would comment on the repertoire on offer, venturing an opinion which, she said, could be accepted or rejected," Nomkhosi said.

DT was to be laid to rest yesterday at Ezinkawini Cemetery in Chesterville, Durban.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.