Johannesburg – Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Goodenough Zizi Kodwa on Wednesday paid tribute to music legend Tony Cedras who passed away earlier this week.
Minister Kodwa said he “learnt with great sadness of the passing of legendary musician and activist Mr. Tony Cedras”.
A renowned multi-instrumentalist and session player, Cedras was also an activist who participated actively in the liberation struggle against apartheid.
Cedras dedicated much of his time to promoting Khoisan heritage.
Minister Kodwa said: “Tony Cedras is one of those names synonymous with the Cape Town jazz sound, who will be remembered for his excellent musicianship, activism, and for taking South African music and culture to the world.
“Growing up in Elsies River, Mr Cedras’ talents saw him performing in countries around the world.”
Minister Kodwa added: “Mr Cedras was part of the group of artists who expressed their activism through the arts in the liberation struggle against apartheid.
“Mr. Cedras used the arts as a tool to protest the injustices of apartheid, alongside the likes of Professor Mongane Serote, Ms. Baleka Mbete, Mr. Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, and the late Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile, Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte among others.
“He also played for many years alongside Paul Simon.”
Minister Kodwa also said: “Mr Cedras was proud of his Khoisan heritage, sharing his knowledge and playing indigenous instruments.
“I am saddened at the passing of a legend who fought so much for this country’s freedom and worked as much to enrich our heritage.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and Comrades of Mr. Cedras.”
Writing in the Cape Argus, Venecia Valentine recalls that the much-loved musician, who passed away at the age of 71, was born and raised in Elsies River.
In the article, Valentine quotes the musician’s 60-year-old wife Tania Kleinhans-Cedras, as saying the talented musician passed away after a battle with chronic emphysema, on Monday, (29 January 2024).
Tania said Tony grew up in a strict Christian household, where he played the accordion during open-air church services while his friends played in the street.
She described the iconic instrumentalist’s death as a big loss to the music industry.
Valentine quotes Tania as saying: “He used to stand on the corners when his family did open-air church services and he played the accordion, he played instruments from a very young age.
“He lived in District 6 but was also staying with his daughter at times, he would live between these two areas.
“Music was his life, even though he was a qualified welder, music was what he loved to do. He was a full-time musician.
“He was multi-disciplinary when it came to his instruments. He played the trumpet, piano, horns, he played the Khoi bow beautifully.”
