Tributes continue to pour in for fallen jazz legend

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana has joined the list of South Africans to pay tribute to fallen jazz legend Winston Mankunku, 66, who died on Monday night.

According to a report, Mankunku had been suffering from a long-term heart ailment and had died at about 2am in Cape Town's Victoria Hospital after "his kidneys and liver packed up".

In a statement on Tuesday, Xingwana said she was "deeply saddened" to hear of Mankunku's death, describing him as a true African legend whose music spoke to the soul of the South African people.

"Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Winston Mankunku; he will continue to live on through the memories we share of him and through his powerful music."

Xingwana said Mankunku had become a legend in his own time and a shining beacon through his innovation and creativity. His work opened a pathway to new styles and new trends.

During the 1960s, he recorded his music with the likes of Lionel Pillay, Agrippa Magwaza and Early Mabuza producing his debut 'Yakhal' Inkomo'. The song became one of South Africa's favourite jazz creations.

Mankunku is survived by his two brothers, Thuli and Patrick.