Post by South African History Online

Remembering Abdullah Ibrahim (1934–2026) South African History Online joins the nation in mourning the passing of legendary pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim. He died peacefully in Germany on 15 June 2026, aged 91, surrounded by his family. Born in Cape Town in 1934, he was once known as Dollar Brand. He was part of The Jazz Epistles, one of South Africa's first major Black jazz groups. During the final years of apartheid, his song "Mannenberg" was often called the country's unofficial anthem. He carried South Africa's sound to the world for more than seven decades. In 1994 he performed at Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration. Mandela called him our Mozart. President Ramaphosa has paid tribute to him as an international icon who campaigned against apartheid through his music. We send our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and all who found home in his music. May his soul rest in power. Video clip source: Abdullah Ibrahim- How Improvisation Saved My Life | JAZZ NIGHT IN AMERICA by Simon Retner hashtag #AbdullahIbrahim #DollarBrand #SouthAfricanJazz #RIPAbdullahIbrahim #SAHistory #Mannenberg #JazzLegend #RestInPeace

Video Content