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The Citizen
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa mourns passing of photographer Rashid Lombard
Lombard documented pivotal moments in the country struggle for freedom, including the release of late former president Nelson Mandela in 1990. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described renowned South African photographer and jazz promoter Rashid Lombard as a cultural icon who not only documented South Africa's history of struggle for freedom but also made history in his own right. The president expressed his deep sadness at the passing of Lombard, who passed away at the age of 74. Lombard was an esteemed member of the National Order of Ikhamanga (Silver), which he received in 2014 for his excellent contribution to arts and culture and his dedication to promoting jazz music that has put South Africa on the map for many jazz enthusiasts around the world. 'Fearless' Ramaphosa offered his heartfelt condolences to the Lombard family and his wide network of friends, comrades, and creatives, both nationally and internationally. 'Rashid Lombard's fearless depiction of apartheid's endemic inhumanity and violence and his compassionate focus on the lives of oppressed communities and disadvantaged individuals is a powerful record of our struggle for basic human rights and dignity. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa pays tribute to anti-apartheid activist and writer Breyten Breytenbach 'His creative and entrepreneurial ability gave rise to his establishment of the Cape Town Jazz Festival, through which he bolstered South Africa's integration into global culture and linked this prestigious event to the development of historically disadvantaged communities,' Ramaphosa said. 'Diversity and vibrancy' Ramaphosa added that Lombard achieved a remarkable feat with his love for the 'diversity and vibrancy of our nation.' 'He did so with passion and humility that endeared him to everyone with whom he interacted and whose lives he touched. We reflect on his life with gratitude and with liberation and joy he leaves behind as his legacy'. Lombard was born in Port Elizabeth in 1951 and moved to Cape Town in 1962. He documented pivotal moments in the country's struggle for freedom, including the release of the late former president Nelson Mandela in 1990 and the country's first democratic elections in 1994. Career He has been the organiser behind the positioning of South Africa through the arts in the North Sea Jazz Festival, Cape Town, now known as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival), and was the Festival Director of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Originally qualified as an architectural draughtsman, Lombard transitioned into industrial photography, later becoming a renowned news and documentary photographer, as well as a photographic artist. He built on his creative media career by becoming an influential jazz promoter and founder of the then Cape Town edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival. ALSO READ: Radio legend Darren Scott dies at 61 after battling cancer
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Late photographer and jazz promoter Rashid Lombard remembered as an icon
CAPE TOWN - Cultural activist and jazz promoter Rashid Lombard has been described as an icon who not only documented South Africa's struggle history but cemented himself as a big player in the country's rich heritage. Lombard died in Cape Town on Wednesday, surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 74. President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the Lombard family and his extensive network of friends nationally and internationally. He will be buried on Thursday morning, according to Muslim rites. Originally from the Eastern Cape, Lombard was born in North End, Gqeberha on 10 April 1951. At age 11, his family moved to Cape Town, where he would later become respected in media and music circles. Trained as an architectural draftsman and later as an industrial photographer, Lombard began his career with a major construction company. But his political consciousness was later amplified through the influence of the black consciousness movement and he left the corporate world. He went on to work as a freelance photographer and television sound recordist during the height of the anti-apartheid struggle. He worked for a few international media outlets, including Agence France-Presse (AFP), the BBC, and NBC. Over the course of his career, he documented pivotal moments in South Africa's journey to freedom, including the rise of the democratic movement in the 1980s, the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, and the country's first democratic elections in 1994. But the music was calling and in 1997, Lombard founded espAfrika, the company which steered him to become an influential jazz promoter and founder of the then Cape Town edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival. He was at the helm of the company until his retirement in 2014. His work received widespread acclaim, and he was honoured with numerous awards for both his contributions to news photography and his impact on music and tourism. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver "for his excellent contribution to arts and culture and his dedication to promoting jazz music that has put South Africa on the map for many jazz enthusiasts around the world". He is survived by his lifelong partner Colleen Lombard, his sister Fazoe Sydow and his children Chevan, Shadley, Yana, Zach, and Daniel, and six grandchildren.
