Sport, Arts and Tradition Minister Gayton McKenzie has described the late Rashid Lombard as a storyteller who was unafraid to doc South African historical past.
The acclaimed photographer, cultural activist, and jazz promoter handed away peacefully on Wednesday on the age of 74, surrounded by his family members.
“Rashid Lombard was greater than a photographer. He was a storyteller and freedom fighter who used his digicam as a weapon for justice. He captured reality when others regarded away, displaying the world our ache, satisfaction, wrestle, and power. Rashid gave us historical past and recollections that talk louder than phrases. Right this moment, we honour a real artist who instructed our story with coronary heart, honesty, and deep respect. South Africa has misplaced a large,” the Minister mentioned in his tribute to Lombard.
‘Misplaced a cultural icon’
In the meantime, President Cyril Ramaphosa mentioned the nation had misplaced a cultural icon who not solely documented the historical past of the wrestle for freedom however made historical past in his personal proper.
Rashid Lombard who was laid to relaxation in line with Muslim rites on Thursday morning, was born on 10 April 1951 in North Finish, Gqeberha.
He relocated together with his household to Cape City in 1962. He initially skilled as an architectural draftsman and later pursued a profession in industrial images, starting his skilled path on the building agency Murray & Roberts.
“As a younger boy within the Jap Cape, he lived in a neighborhood the place folks of all races coexisted. Black, White, Colored, Indian and Chinese language households shared neighbourhoods, exchanged tales and fashioned bonds that apartheid later sought to destroy. It was a glimpse of what a united South Africa could possibly be.
“The arrival of apartheid introduced violence and compelled removals. Households had been relocated primarily based solely on the color of their pores and skin, and plenty of of Lombard’s childhood mates disappeared, by no means to be seen once more.
“This trauma deeply affected him and heightened his consciousness of injustice. These early experiences, together with the Black Consciousness Motion, impressed his lifelong dedication to justice and equality,” the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Tradition mentioned.
He selected to combat not with weapons however together with his digicam. Throughout South Africa’s wrestle for liberation, he labored as a contract photographer and tv sound recordist.
His lens witnessed historical past, capturing the ache, braveness and hope of a folks eager for freedom.
He documented key moments such because the rising democracy motion within the Eighties, Nelson Mandela’s launch in 1990, and the primary democratic election in 1994. His photos reached world audiences via main retailers like Agence France-Presse, the BBC and NBC, providing the world a strong view of South Africa’s journey.
‘Lifelong ardour’
“As democracy took maintain, Rashid Lombard turned his vitality to jazz, one other lifelong ardour. He held management roles at Tremendous Music Radio and P4 Easy Jazz Radio earlier than founding espAfrika in 1997. By way of this firm, he launched the Cape City Worldwide Jazz Pageant in 2000, directing it till 2014.
“The competition grew into one in all Africa’s largest and most revered cultural occasions, showcasing native expertise alongside worldwide stars and placing Cape City firmly on the worldwide jazz map.
“Even after retiring, he remained dedicated to preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage. He undertook the necessary job of digitising his intensive photographic archive, a mission begun by his late spouse, Colleen. Working with the Nationwide Archives and the Division of Sport, Arts and Tradition, he ensured the gathering can be accessible as a nationwide treasure. His household continues this very important work right now,” the Ministry mentioned.
In 2010, he printed “Jazz Rocks”, a photographic tribute curated by the late George Hallett. The e book captures the spirit, vitality and connection of jazz via Rashid’s distinctive lens.
In 2014, Rashid Lombard was honoured with the Nationwide Order of Ikhamanga in Silver. This prestigious award recognised his distinctive influence on the humanities, cultural preservation and the worldwide celebration of South African jazz.
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