One of Cape Town’s elders of jazz has died.
Winston Monwabisi Mankunku Ngozi was born in Retreat in 1943 - and his musicality emerged early on, according to his biography.
Mankunku experimented with piano and trumpet before he took up playing the saxophone for which he is now famous.
He will be missed, though his sounds live on…
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October 13th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Rest in peace uncle Winny, you will be fondly remembered.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I am devastated. A giant has passed. May his gentle soul rest in peace. I am even more shocked that he did not getany money after Yakhali’ inkomo. Ithink the thieves who stole Mankunku’smoney should be made to pay it bac.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:53 am
May his soul rest in eternal peace we will miss the sound of his saxophone what a great and humble musician. Lala ngoxolo tatu Mankunku
October 13th, 2009 at 9:13 am
May his soul rest in peace as he has now been promoted to heaven,He’ll be dearly missed my legend.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Apart from being the greatest saxophonist South Africa has ever bred, he was a man over-flowing with a love supreme.
He was one of the most profound influences in my life.
Rest in peace my Kunki.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:23 am
My condolences to the Family and Jazz lovers for the loss. May His Soul Rest In Peace….
October 13th, 2009 at 9:32 am
rest in peace our beloved jazz great. men of ur calibre are probably the only left reminder of who we really are and come from….
October 13th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Oh man, oh man, the giant has now moved up to be with his MAKER. I remember when I grew up as a village boy listening to the then Radio Zulu and the Yakhali Inkomo was like, man, man. Words can’t express how blessed we are as S Africans to have been aforded a chance to listen to his music.
Pity the same story of our great musicians dying without realising any financial rewards of their hard work but for me, it doesn’t matter that much cos the rewards up there are eternal.
Rest in peace tata Winston Mankunku Ngozi.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Rest in peace Bra Winston you will be missed.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Rest in peace Tata Mankunku, Bra Winston. You are true jazz legend. At least I have one copy of your music and will always remember you.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:38 am
This is sad and shocking. Bab Winston may your soul rest in peace. You had an impact on my music life. You will be greatly missed, but your music will live on forever.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am
It is sad that our entertainers end up being charity cases. The Depts of Art & Culture must take up and ensure that our heroes do not end up like this. Yakhal’inkomo is still a bomb to all jazz lovers. To the family of the legend, may you find comfort in knowing that even on this moment God loves you. May Bra Winston’ soul rest in peace. He will be dearly missed.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Yakhal’ inkomo madoda. RIP Buti Mankunku. I’ll remember you especially with LAGUNYA Khayelitsha, Song for Bra Des Tutu etc.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Kufa izinsizwa kusale izibongo. I enjoyed your music Qhawe, as you as I am, I could always feel your gentle nature in your music. Ume njalo!
October 13th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Yet another giant falls. I am saddened at bab’ uMankunku’s passing but am extremely proud of his contribution to jazz that made us South Africans stand tall all over the world. I’m very proud that I make a point of playing him and other South African jazz giants at all our jazz sessions, purely because he is THAT good and deserves an ear from all jazz enthusiasts. As usual, all the right noises are going to be made now that he has departed, promises of buildings or roads named after him, something he can never see nor appreciate. I wonder how much SAMRO owed him in unpaid royalties?
October 13th, 2009 at 9:56 am
What a great musician! What a great loss to the SA music scene. Yes, there will be others and they will be different, but YOU, BRA WINSTON, can never be replaced. Musicians like you only cross our path ONCE in a lifetime. You knew how to play music to feed the soul! You were indeed the GREATEST South African saxophonist of my time!!! Long live the legendary Winston Mankunku Ngozi. You will be missed we will play your music as long as we are around.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Lafa elihle kakhulu
October 13th, 2009 at 10:09 am
My deepest sympathies to Winston\’s family and friends. His legacy is his music which lives on for as long as jazz is played. Hamba Kahle Winston.
Moutie ( Brunei Darussalam)
October 13th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Winston was really the most amazing tenor player to come from these shores .Nobody else came close . For so many he was the touchstone of musicality and soulfulness . Many of us had the great good fortune to play and record with him in his long and illustrious career and his passing marks the end of an era . Cookie love and respect always R.I.P.
Love,
Bra Dave .
October 13th, 2009 at 10:23 am
What a great musician! May his soul rest in peace as he has now been promoted to heaven,He’ll be dearly missed.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:29 am
May your soul rest in peace,to the family:LALANI NGENXEBA
October 13th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Yakhal\’inkomo!
The truth of the meaning of that song is still relevant today as it was then! The Jazz Elders are remembered and respected when they die!This must stop. Let\’s pay tribute to them whilst they are still alive. Now \’they\’ will organize tribute concerts and things. put roses on his grave, but \’they\’ never cared to give him when he was alive. We must put an end to this!
Bra Winston is a loss to our Jazz culture and education, especially the passing on of knowledge to the next generation!
Condolences to the family and close friends.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Winston Mankuku you were a man amongst men and an awesome musician who brought me many hours of listening pleasure. You will be sadly missed!
My deepest sympathies to Winston’s family,friends and colleagues.
Hamba Kahle Winston.
Billi ~ Cape Town
October 13th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Rest in Peace Winston , thank you that for a short period you we in Saldanha could form a part of your life. We will always miss you and appreciate what you did for the West Coast. condolences to the family.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:55 am
You made GUGS community proud. We will solely miss you. Rest in peace Bra Winston. Isandla esihle asidleli!
October 13th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Thank you for the beautiful music!
October 13th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
The South African jazz community has lost one of the dedicated musicians who was true to the genre. I hope those who had the privelege to play with this titan will pick up the horn and play on. Thank you for the great music buti Mankunku
October 13th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
\"Zahamba iiNtsizwa kwasala izibongo\" May your passing on be a reminder of a sweet life that you shared with us! May it be a reminder to all of us left today to start living a meaningful life and brave all the negativity, support each other and make something out of our lives. Rest in Peace Qhawe!!
October 13th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Go Well Winston Mankunku Ngozi. Your artistry will live on. Your lengendary artistry and personality will always inspire us and many others.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
We mourn the passing away of one of the Jazz Legend to come out of Mzansi, I will always remember him on his track entitled” Daddy Trane ” from the Album Yakha’ inkomo. He dedicated this song to the late John Coltrane.
May his soul rest in Peace!
October 13th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Thankyou, Bra Winston, for touching us so deeply with your music. You have made a wonderful contribution to SA music, and your sounds will reverberate throughout the world, into the future. Rest in Peace.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Rest in peace buti you where one of the best from
Gugs.Thank you siyabulela.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
LALA NGOXOLO NDONDENKULU NDOHLALA NDIKUKHUMBULA.YOU WERE THE BEST I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU AND YOUR MUSIC.ESPECIALY THE NIGHT YOU FIRST PERFORMED IN YELLOW DOOR IN CAPE TOWN GUGULETHU.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
thank you for the music… what an entertainer… huge loss to Cape Town… rest in peace btother!
October 13th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Uncle Winny u were my hero…its becuase of guys like u that I am still in the music industry…u make us proud to be muss’os from the Cape. U going to be missed in the music world but your music will always be in my heart… LONG live the music of Winston…Was nice performing with u sir Salute till we meet again
October 13th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Another great South African saxophone player departs. He will be sorely missed, but at least his music lives on and will continue to inspire and uplift many people for years to come. Rest in peace.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Bra Winston\’s contribution to the development and appreciation of good musicianship,his mark of excellence and his humility as a gentlemen will be his epitaph…Go in peace
October 13th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Ewe inkomo ikhalile….hamba kahle baba. May your wonderful soul rest in Peace. Through your music, your spirit will remain with us forever and ever. Amen
October 13th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Oh no marn, not another Legent - yhini ubra Wil. RIP bhuti.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
You will be sorely missed by the Nation as a whole.Your music will always be with us and the one\’s still to come.Rest in Peace the Great Legend.Mokgapa o mogolo o wele.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
May his soul rest in peace. Akuhlanga lungehlanga, ngoko ke thuthuzelekani.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Tatu Tshawe was a greatest; indeed he is a legend.
Rest in peace xhego lomculo we Africa.Give the peace Tshawe. Jonny Jonny Coltrane misses you. For sure you will be meeting John Coltrane your musical father. I love you Daddy. your music will always be part of my life. You the BEST
October 13th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Lala ngoxolo Mdange kaTshiwo,Tshawe,your music and life will be celebrated by the whole world.I remember the launch of your cd Molo Afrika in 1998 when I was still a student.Your songs yakhal\" inkomo and song for Bro Des Tutu are very outstanding!U will be with the other jazz greats like Johnny Dyani,Sipho Gumede and Mirriam Makeba
October 13th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
May your soul rest in peace, and may God comfort your family in this testing time. You will be sadly missed by all jazz lovers.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
May your soul rest in peace bro\’ Winston..We enjoyed your music.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Isitya Esidle Asidleli! May his soul rest in peace!
October 13th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
What a great musician…. Hamba khale Bra Winston
October 13th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
May your soul rest in peace. Cape Town lost a great musician…Hamba Kahle Bra Winston
October 13th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Hamba Kahle to our great great Bra Winston. He\’s voice now rests and we are deeply saddened by the passing of our great teacher. Bra Winston was iconic in his contribution towards a positive and empowered consciousness among South Africa\’s downtrodden. He played for everyone and was a messenger of peace who engineered unity and love among all who came into his circle, and long before the rest of the country caught on.
His death marks the silencing of vital cultural information that South Africa needs to build its future. Only the artists know about this. South Africa, please wake up! Vukani!
October 13th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Little Boy Blue
Go blow your horn
May every note be
In Heaven reborn
October 13th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Ulale ngoxolo Bra Winston. We will always remember you. You made your mark in South Africa during tough times.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
A spray of
liquid notes
tumble from the sax
to mix and mingle,
a tapestry of all
lifes’ emotion
exalted.
October 14th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin\’ for to carry you home.
We are saddened by your passing, Winston, as you helped carry our spirits through the dark days of apartheid with your inspiring music. Hamba kahle.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I was fortunate enough to play with Wynston in the 80’s but was too young to appreciate it fully. I regret not learning more from him.
My condolences to family and those close.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:41 am
My your soul rest in peace
From abahlali base Gugulethu
sohla sikukhumbula buti wethu
October 14th, 2009 at 11:08 am
What a great loss to Jazz Worldwide. He will be sorely missed.
A great player, a great man, and a huge influence on me.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Winston Mankunku Ngosi\’s music touched the soul. His life and example should be remembered by all music lovers around the world. Here in Philadelphia (USA) we will honor him this morning by playing his \"Tembela Enkosini\" (Put Your Faith In The Lord). A fitting tribute to an inspiring life. Amen.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Bra Winston, You will be sadly missed!
You helped form me into who I am today!
Way back in the early 70’s as a teenage ‘ whitey’ I used to ’sneak’ into venues where you and others like Robbie Jansen, Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim),The Schilder family etc used to play - to name but a few.
I would watch from the curtains as I was not allowed in the audience. You showed me that music transcended all boundaries, and helped me see the abhorance of ‘Apartheid’. From the bottom of my heart I thank you!
Thank you also for always coming over to say hi when you spotted me at the bar at various venues you played at over the last 10 years or so.
You will be missed, but thankfully, your music will live on forever!
R.I.P.
Louis (The Badgeman)
October 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
The beautiful sounds that flowed through Winstons mighty horn are now silenced. You will be gratelly missed but your music lives on…
October 26th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Rest in peace Bra Winston.
Thank you for the music. Hamba Kahle.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Ah! Bra Winston Mankunku Ngozi is now no more; He filled his ballooned chicks with the breath of love; His round chicks, as round as mother earth, blew life into our hearts and soothed our souls; Bra Winston squealing horn is still present in my sleep and in my walks; In the dark days of apartheid’s hopelessness Bra Mankunku and friends brought hope; In the black days of forced removals Bra Mankunku and comrades said, “Asiyi apho”: We will not go there! Now like the cattle bellowing on top the remains of the slaughtered one; We are saddened by this sudden stillness of Mankunku’s golden horn! We mourn this sudden departure of the great son of Africa! Sigxwal’ emswaneni! Sithi kow’ Yakhal’ inkomo!! Hamba kahle Mdange!!