Tributes continue to pour in for renowned photographer and jazz promoter Rashid Lombard
CAPE TOWN - More tributes continue to pour in for Cape Town International Jazz Festival founder, Rashid Lombard, who passed away on Wednesday.
He's been described as an icon and a giant of jazz, and someone who loved people. During the 80s and 90s, he worked as a photographer documenting the country's most historic moments. Lombard's former colleague and friend, Craig Parks, said Lombard had a major influence on his radio and business careers. "Today the Cape Town Jazzathon still runs, still exists, and we honour Mr Lombard every time we think of him, or we discuss the festival, his name has to come up because he was the guy that said you guys can do it." Industry colleague, Martin Myers, described Lombard as a consummate professional. "One of the nicest people you would ever meet. In his company, it was always fun. He loved music, he loved life, and he always had his camera with him, and he'd take the most spectacular photograph when no one was looking."
Lombard will be laid to rest on Thursday in accordance with Islamic rites.
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IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Celebrating Rashid Lombard: A Legacy of Humility and Courage
Legendary photographer and cultural activist Rashid Lombard, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 74, surrounded by posters of iconic musicians. Rashid was a formidable news photographer and captured some excellent pictures of protests and police action during the 1980s, but his real love was taking pictures of people, especially musicians, says the writer. Image: Brenton Geach/Independent Newspapers (Archives) Ryland Fisher When I was introduced more than 40 years ago to Rashid Lombard, who passed away on Wednesday, I thought his name was 'Pusher'. Later on, I heard people calling him 'Moena'. I never understood why he had those two names. Such was the humility and popularity of the man that many people at the time did not even know that his name was Rashid Lombard. Not many knew that his second name was Ahmed. Also, not many people knew that he was born in Port Elizabeth before moving to Cape Town as a young man, such has been the impact that he has made on his adoptive city over the past 40 years or more. Even fewer people knew that Rashid was not always a lover of jazz music. In fact, in his earlier years, in the 1960s, he loved musicians such as Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, a story related by one of his best friends, the late James Matthews, when he wrote the foreword to Rashid's book, Jazz Rocks. 'I got him to listen to Nina Simone, whose words affected him deeply, placing him in another dimension. I thought to myself, this Rashid is a cool cat. And he still is.' Matthews wrote these words in 2013 and it was true to the end. I first met Rashid in the early 1980s on the protest-filled streets of Cape Town covering student protest actions against apartheid education, detentions and calling for the release of political leaders. I worked part-time at first and later full-time for the Grassroots community newspaper after being employed by a newspaper belonging to the Argus Company, while Rashid worked for an overseas photographic company. Rashid became one of many photographers who provided Grassroots with photographs that their bosses would not use, but they felt should be published. The fact that Grassroots had a 'no-byline' policy helped these photographers hide their association with a paper that would often be banned by the apartheid regime. Rashid was peripherally active in the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA), but appeared to have found a new lease of life when a group of progressive journalists formed an organisation called the Association of Democratic Journalists (ADJ) with all of us proudly declaring ourselves 'media terrorists'. Rashid was a formidable news photographer and captured some excellent pictures of protests and police action during the 1980s, but his real love was taking pictures of people, especially musicians. He photographed musicians throughout the world, some of which pictures were reproduced in his book, Jazz Rocks, which was published in 2013. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Liya Williams, granddaughter of cultural activist photographer Rashid Lombard, rests her head on his coffin before his burial according to Muslim rites on Thursday June 5, 2025 in Cape Town. Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Media After we became a democracy, Rashid decided to follow his first love, jazz music and worked as the first station manager at Fine Music Radio before joining P4 Radio (now Heart FM) as programme manager. He also took the audacious step in the late 1990s to bring the North Sea Jazz Festival to Cape Town and, within a few years, transformed it into the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which is now one of the leading jazz festivals in the world. In 2008, as the CEO of Sekunjalo Media, I led the negotiations to buy a 51 per cent stake in ESP Afrika, the company organising the jazz festival which was formed by Rashid and his partner, Billy Domingo, who also acted as production director of the jazz festival and ESP. After Sekunjalo successfully bought into ESP, I became the chair of the company for about a year before I left to pursue other interests. It was easily my favourite job, and I learned so much about music and event planning from Rashid, Billy and Eva Domingo, Billy's wife. I also learned much about music from Rashid's daughter, Yana, who booked all the talent for the festival at the time. We worked together well and very hard to turn around a company that was doing well publicly, but privately it was struggling to make a profit, which is one of the most important things for any business. One memory that stands out for me from that time was travelling with Rashid and Billy to Mozambique to investigate the establishment of a jazz festival in Maputo. The idea was to have a series of jazz festivals throughout the sub-continent at around the same time, which would lead to economies of scale when booking foreign artists. For three days, we were hosted in Maputo by leading jazz guitarist, Jimmy Dludlu, who proudly showed off his hometown and country. Over the years, Rashid and I would often meet, either at functions or sometimes just to catch up. I remember how proud he was a few years ago when he announced his partnership with the University of the Western Cape to preserve his photographic archives along with that of some other photographers, such as the late George Hallet. Rashid was a humble man and did not always know the influence he had on the lives of many people throughout South Africa. He loved music and photography (he was never without his camera), but I suspect he loved people more. He was one of those people who could never leave a party without speaking to everyone in attendance. He loved to party and would often be one of the last to leave. I remember offering to give him and his wife a lift home from one party and then having to wait until he had said all his plentiful goodbyes. Over the last year or so, Rashid became ill and did not venture out much. In fact, when his good friend, James Matthews, passed away in September last year, Rashid was conspicuous by his absence. But he was already very sick at the time. Rashid married the love of his life, Colleen, in 1970 and they had three children, Chevan, Shadley and Yana. Colleen had been a trade unionist and ANC underground activists during the 1980s. He had two other younger sons with Heidi Raizenberg, the daughter of one of his friends. Rashid returned to Colleen a few years ago after she became very ill and he undertook to look after her. But they did not know that he too would become ill and that she would eventually outlive him. The last time I saw him was at a gathering of struggle journalists in Kalk Bay last year where we talked about ways of intervening in the media landscape to give more voices to ordinary people. Yesterday, his funeral was attended by a who's who of South African politics, business and civil society. Most people arrived way before the starting time of 12h45 and only left as the sun set in the early evening. Rashid received a simple Muslim burial, with a sendoff from his house in Burwood Road, Crawford, the coffin being carried through the streets to the mosque in nearby Taronga Road, and finally being laid to rest in the rough clay ground at the Mowbray cemetery, in the shadow of Table Mountain, before the mourners returned to the family house to wash their hands and have a meal. The simplicity of his burial belied the greatness of the man. * Ryland Fisher is a veteran journalist and former newspaper editor. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Celebrating Rashid Lombard: A Legacy of Humility and Courage
Legendary photographer and cultural activist Rashid Lombard, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 74, surrounded by posters of iconic musicians. Rashid was a formidable news photographer and captured some excellent pictures of protests and police action during the 1980s, but his real love was taking pictures of people, especially musicians, says the writer. Image: Brenton Geach/Independent Newspapers (Archives) Ryland Fisher When I was introduced more than 40 years ago to Rashid Lombard, who passed away on Wednesday, I thought his name was 'Pusher'. Later on, I heard people calling him 'Moena'. I never understood why he had those two names. Such was the humility and popularity of the man that many people at the time did not even know that his name was Rashid Lombard. Not many knew that his second name was Ahmed. Also, not many people knew that he was born in Port Elizabeth before moving to Cape Town as a young man, such has been the impact that he has made on his adoptive city over the past 40 years or more. Even fewer people knew that Rashid was not always a lover of jazz music. In fact, in his earlier years, in the 1960s, he loved musicians such as Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, a story related by one of his best friends, the late James Matthews, when he wrote the foreword to Rashid's book, Jazz Rocks. 'I got him to listen to Nina Simone, whose words affected him deeply, placing him in another dimension. I thought to myself, this Rashid is a cool cat. And he still is.' Matthews wrote these words in 2013 and it was true to the end. I first met Rashid in the early 1980s on the protest-filled streets of Cape Town covering student protest actions against apartheid education, detentions and calling for the release of political leaders. I worked part-time at first and later full-time for the Grassroots community newspaper after being employed by a newspaper belonging to the Argus Company, while Rashid worked for an overseas photographic company. Rashid became one of many photographers who provided Grassroots with photographs that their bosses would not use, but they felt should be published. The fact that Grassroots had a 'no-byline' policy helped these photographers hide their association with a paper that would often be banned by the apartheid regime. Rashid was peripherally active in the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA), but appeared to have found a new lease of life when a group of progressive journalists formed an organisation called the Association of Democratic Journalists (ADJ) with all of us proudly declaring ourselves 'media terrorists'. Rashid was a formidable news photographer and captured some excellent pictures of protests and police action during the 1980s, but his real love was taking pictures of people, especially musicians. He photographed musicians throughout the world, some of which pictures were reproduced in his book, Jazz Rocks, which was published in 2013. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Liya Williams, granddaughter of cultural activist photographer Rashid Lombard, rests her head on his coffin before his burial according to Muslim rites on Thursday June 5, 2025 in Cape Town. Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Media After we became a democracy, Rashid decided to follow his first love, jazz music and worked as the first station manager at Fine Music Radio before joining P4 Radio (now Heart FM) as programme manager. He also took the audacious step in the late 1990s to bring the North Sea Jazz Festival to Cape Town and, within a few years, transformed it into the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which is now one of the leading jazz festivals in the world. In 2008, as the CEO of Sekunjalo Media, I led the negotiations to buy a 51 per cent stake in ESP Afrika, the company organising the jazz festival which was formed by Rashid and his partner, Billy Domingo, who also acted as production director of the jazz festival and ESP. After Sekunjalo successfully bought into ESP, I became the chair of the company for about a year before I left to pursue other interests. It was easily my favourite job, and I learned so much about music and event planning from Rashid, Billy and Eva Domingo, Billy's wife. I also learned much about music from Rashid's daughter, Yana, who booked all the talent for the festival at the time. We worked together well and very hard to turn around a company that was doing well publicly, but privately it was struggling to make a profit, which is one of the most important things for any business. One memory that stands out for me from that time was travelling with Rashid and Billy to Mozambique to investigate the establishment of a jazz festival in Maputo. The idea was to have a series of jazz festivals throughout the sub-continent at around the same time, which would lead to economies of scale when booking foreign artists. For three days, we were hosted in Maputo by leading jazz guitarist, Jimmy Dludlu, who proudly showed off his hometown and country. Over the years, Rashid and I would often meet, either at functions or sometimes just to catch up. I remember how proud he was a few years ago when he announced his partnership with the University of the Western Cape to preserve his photographic archives along with that of some other photographers, such as the late George Hallet. Rashid was a humble man and did not always know the influence he had on the lives of many people throughout South Africa. He loved music and photography (he was never without his camera), but I suspect he loved people more. He was one of those people who could never leave a party without speaking to everyone in attendance. He loved to party and would often be one of the last to leave. I remember offering to give him and his wife a lift home from one party and then having to wait until he had said all his plentiful goodbyes. Over the last year or so, Rashid became ill and did not venture out much. In fact, when his good friend, James Matthews, passed away in September last year, Rashid was conspicuous by his absence. But he was already very sick at the time. Rashid married the love of his life, Colleen, in 1970 and they had three children, Chevan, Shadley and Yana. Colleen had been a trade unionist and ANC underground activists during the 1980s. He had two other younger sons with Heidi Raizenberg, the daughter of one of his friends. Rashid returned to Colleen a few years ago after she became very ill and he undertook to look after her. But they did not know that he too would become ill and that she would eventually outlive him. The last time I saw him was at a gathering of struggle journalists in Kalk Bay last year where we talked about ways of intervening in the media landscape to give more voices to ordinary people. Yesterday, his funeral was attended by a who's who of South African politics, business and civil society. Most people arrived way before the starting time of 12h45 and only left as the sun set in the early evening. Rashid received a simple Muslim burial, with a sendoff from his house in Burwood Road, Crawford, the coffin being carried through the streets to the mosque in nearby Taronga Road, and finally being laid to rest in the rough clay ground at the Mowbray cemetery, in the shadow of Table Mountain, before the mourners returned to the family house to wash their hands and have a meal. The simplicity of his burial belied the greatness of the man. * Ryland Fisher is a veteran journalist and former newspaper editor. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- IOL News
Rashid Lombard: A cultural icon of South Africa
Liya Williams, granddaughter of jazz impresario and well-known photographer Rashid Lombard, rests her head on his body before his burial according to Muslim rites. Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Media Family, friends, musicians, and political figures gathered at the Cape Town home of the late jazz organiser, photographer, and activist Rashid Lombard on Thursday to celebrate his remarkable life and enduring legacy. The 74-year-old, whose name became synonymous with South African jazz and cultural resistance, passed away on June 4. His funeral drew mourners from across the country and beyond, including celebrated musicians, community leaders, fellow activists, and ordinary Capetonians who had been touched by his work. Attendees shared stories, music, and laughter in tribute to a man many described as a visionary, a comrade, and a cultural custodian. Shadley Lombard, Lombard's son, said the outpouring of love and support was overwhelming but deeply comforting. 'He was more of a father and mentor to other people than to his children,' Shadley said. 'And we're okay with that, because what he did inspired people, motivated young people. That was his calling, and we fully understand that. When you look at the turnout and the support from across the world, even from the president of South Africa, it speaks volumes.' President Cyril Ramaphosa described Lombard as 'a cultural icon' who helped position South Africa on the global cultural stage. 'Rashid Lombard's fearless depiction of apartheid's endemic inhumanity and violence, and his compassionate focus on the lives of oppressed communities, is a powerful record of our struggle for basic human rights,' said the president in a statement. 'His establishment of the Cape Town Jazz Festival bolstered South Africa's integration into global culture. He did all this with passion and humility that endeared him to everyone he touched.' Father Michael Weeder, a long-time friend, spoke warmly of Lombard's authenticity and passion. 'There was nothing superficial about the way he was present, in person or online,' he said. 'Over time, he became a friend. We had comrades in common. And when we say 'comrade', we don't mean it in the casual way people do today. Back then, a comrade was someone you trusted with your life. We trusted Rashid.' Weeder also recalled Lombard's artistic soul and love of jazz. 'With time, he brought his love for the arts to fruition, bringing jazz to stages across Cape Town, especially the Cape Town International Jazz Festival,' he said. 'He came from a small town. It wasn't about connections, it was about conviction, about communicating from the heart. That's what made him so special.' Among those who benefitted directly from Lombard's vision was entertainer Alistair Izobell, who described the late cultural organiser as one of the most inspiring people he'd ever met. 'His message to us was always the same: dream. Because those dreams can move you beyond your limitations,' said Izobell. 'As I stand and look at Table Mountain today, I know some of the soil has passed. But the gift of his work remains, and I will celebrate that for the rest of my life.' Mujahid George, actor and broadcaster, said he owed his introduction to the world of jazz to Lombard. 'He's the one who introduced me to a legend like George Benson, when he brought him to the Cape Town Jazz Festival,' said George. 'He was a very special person to me, and I wouldn't have missed his farewell for anything. He deserved every ounce of the love we saw today.' Lombard was born in North End, Gqeberha, in 1951 and moved to Cape Town as a young boy. Trained as an architectural draughtsman, he turned to photography in the 1970s, becoming one of South Africa's most respected news and documentary photographers. He documented key moments in the anti-apartheid struggle before turning his attention to cultural activism, particularly jazz. In the early 2000s, he founded the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, an event that would go on to become one of the largest and most respected music gatherings in the southern hemisphere. Through it, he not only brought global stars to local stages but also championed South African musicians and uplifted communities through developmental programmes. Faiez Jacobs, former ANC MP, reflected on Lombard's dual commitment to art and politics. 'He was one of us — an activist, a cultural warrior, and a storyteller,' said Jacobs. 'He documented our Struggle, preserved our joy, and gave future generations access to their heritage. Rashid archived more than 500,000 photographs of our people and donated them to the University of the Western Cape. That's an extraordinary legacy.' Even in his final years, Lombard remained a beloved figure across generational and cultural lines. His ability to connect with people, both on and off stage, left a lasting impression on those who crossed his path. 'Rashid was a man of the people, in every sense of the word,' said Father Weeder. 'I recently saw a video of him dancing, improvising with two women, full of joy. That spontaneity, that love for people in all our diversity, that was at the heart of his life. He was, in his way, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, a friend to all. A true child of God.'
