Celebrating the life and legacy of Pops Mohamed, South Africa’s musical visionary

TRIBUTES continue to pour in for “The Minister of Music” Pops Mohamed, who died at the age of 75 last week Thursday after dedicating his life to creating music and becoming a significant figure in South A frica’s musical landscape.

- KAREN SINGH

Mohamed, born Ismail Mohamed-Jan in Benoni, Gauteng, on December 10, 1949, built a musical legacy that spanned more than five decades.

The music stalwart was a masterful multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and cultural custodian.

He played a remarkable array of instruments, including the kora, mbira, African mouth bow, didgeridoo, guitar, keyboard, and more, fusing traditional African sounds with jazz, kwela, soul, world music, and contemporary influences.

Mohamed’ passing is a profound loss not just for the music community, but for the very soul of South African arts and culture, according to Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie.

McKenzie lauded Mohamed as a “guardian of our cultural heritage”.

“Pops Mohamed was not merely a musician but a guardian of our cultural heritage, a teacher, a visionary. His music carried the voices of our ancestors and opened doors for new generations to embrace and celebrate our roots. His accolades reflect not only his talent but his lifelong devotion to preserving African identity through sound”