and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan
14 November 2006
A significant piece of the soul of the nation has been lost with the passing
on of premier African artist, vocalist, band leader, cultural activist,
visionary and performer, Jabu Khanyile, who died of cancer at the age of
49.
Over the last 30 years, Africans have battled to deal concretely with the
definition of their identity and the expression of the indigenous culture
because of the peculiar complexity of living under the twin oppressive systems
of colonialism and apartheid.
The emergence of Jabu Khanyile as the voice and face of super-star-studded
Afro-fusion band, "Bayete," marked a turning point in the early 1980s. He was
widely acknowledged as a visionary cultural activist and leader who dealt
perceptively with the challenge, using his unique voice as a tool to boost
self-love and for the affirmation of African music, language, and fashion to
lift the spirits of his people.
He directly addressed the status of African culture, politics and history at
a time when it was taboo to do so. Khanyile became a pioneer because he trod an
uncharted path when he transformed his life and career to be one of the few
active links between our past heritage and culture and the contemporary highly
industrialised world that Africans now live in.
Significantly, his musical career began soon after the student uprisings of
June 1976, during which he was shot in the arm. Since that time, and
culminating in the launch of "Bayete," he became a highly politicised,
conscious and committed artist and a living repository of the language,
tradition, music, creative and intellectual heritage of African people.
In many ways, Khanyile epitomised a true African artist. The nation is
poorer because he passed on while nurturing an African identity, building a
uniting spirit of our new nation and contributing towards its psychological,
cultural and political transformation which is still 'a work in progress.'
In the late 1980s, Khanyile's striking re-arrangements of original African
hits such as "Mbube" and "Mbombela" were directly responsible for heightening
cultural and political self-consciousness and the use of arts and culture as a
'weapon of the struggle.' Indeed, with hindsight they laid the groundwork for
the African Rebirth agenda that Khanyile had defined for himself as an
artist.
When he embarked on his solo project during the tumultuous decade of early
1990s with the release of the album, "The Prince," he established himself as
one of the most culturally committed and authoritative voices on African
self-definition, pride and cultural identity. Khanyile's music, especially the
lyrics espoused self-love, unity and pride. The words encouraged social
cohesion and nurtured a spirit of national unity during a very violent
period.
Khanyile's music was rooted in the historical antecedents of the political
resistance while simultaneously providing an uplifting psychological message
that affirmed African culture.
Significantly, one of Khanyile's last performances was in Germany during the
World Cup 'cultural manifestation' staged by the Department of Arts and Culture
in July 2006. He deliberately chose to participate in that manifestation so as
to use an international platform to highlight and celebrate African achievement
and self-determination and to give wider exposure to the power of African music
and culture.
The Ministry of Arts and Culture expresses its heartfelt appreciation for
the life and work of one of the most important musicians to have helped the
people of this nation and the continent to understand themselves and their
condition better.
Our hearts go out to his family, relatives and friends. We trust that they
will draw strength from the millions throughout the world who mourn this sad
loss with them.
May his soul rest in peace!
Enquiries:
Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750
Premi Appalraju
Cell: 082 375 2939
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
14 November 2006
Source: Department Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za)
