The world of music, art, and culture is mourning the passing of Rashid Lombard, the legendary South African photographer, activist, and jazz visionary, who died at the age of 74.
Lombard was best known as the founder of espAfrika and the creative force behind the Cape Town International Jazz Festival—a world-class event that he launched in 2000 and led until his retirement in 2014. Under his bold and passionate direction, the festival blossomed into Africa’s biggest jazz celebration, drawing international icons and shining a spotlight on local talent.
📸 A Life Framed by Art and Activism
Before becoming a cultural entrepreneur, Lombard made his mark as a photojournalist during apartheid, capturing the realities of a divided South Africa through a lens that told truth with power and grace. His work appeared in global publications and earned him respect far beyond the borders of his home country.
His transition into music promotion was not a departure—it was an evolution. Through espAfrika, Lombard fused creativity, activism, and African identity, giving a platform to musicians who might otherwise have gone unheard.
🎶 Building Africa’s Jazz Capital
What began as a bold idea—a jazz festival in post-apartheid South Africa—soon became an international phenomenon. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, under Lombard’s stewardship, hosted legends like Herbie Hancock, Hugh Masekela, and Erykah Badu, while nurturing new African voices and attracting fans from across the world.
“Rashid didn’t just build a festival,” said a former colleague.
“He built a cultural movement—one that said African stories, African rhythms, African brilliance matter.”
🕊 A Legacy That Plays On
Even in retirement, Lombard remained a mentor, storyteller, and fierce supporter of the arts. His death leaves a silence, but his impact continues to echo—on stages, in galleries, and in the hearts of all who believe in the power of creative freedom.
As the jazz world bows its head, one thing is certain: Rashid Lombard gave us more than music—he gave us moments, movements, and meaning.
🎼 Rest in rhythm, Rashid
