Revered Imbongi Yomthonyama (Xhosa traditional poet) Jongela Nojozi has died and will be buried in Alice next week.
The 59-year-old Nojozi, who has recited imibongo to kings, senior traditional leaders, political leaders and visiting statesmen, died on Sunday. He was well-known for his moving praise-singing ahead of key government events such as the State of Nation Addresses (Sona) and gatherings of the AmaXhosa kingdoms.
Nojozi was also a familiar sight at events of the ANC, often launching into spontaneous and heart-stirring praises of kings, queens and traditional leaders as well as presidents, heroes and heroines of South Africa and the apartheid struggle.
He started praise singing at an early age in the 1960s when he was at primary school in Krwakrwa village, his place of birth near Alice. Over time Nojozi matured in the craft until he became an official praise singer for the Krwakrwa traditional leader. He was later elevated to be the official praise singer for the late AmaRharhabe King Maxhoba Sandile.
Nojozi had sung praises to bantustan leaders including Lennox Sebe of the Ciskei, and Kaiser Daliwonga ‘KD’ Matanzima of the Transkei and later his brother George Matanzima. Since 1994, he had sung praises for the late Nelson Mandela, former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma and visiting statesmen like former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. He also sang praises for President Cyril Ramaphosa before he delivered his 2018 Sona.
Cultural activists believe that African traditional poetry will be poorer without the “Nojozi natural endowment”.
The former history high school teacher worked as an aide and adviser to labour deputy minister Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa since 2014. Holomisa expressed sadness at Nojozi’s passing.
“His death is a profound loss to the country and to the Xhosa nation. Nojozi had an impressive intellect and possessed a rich knowledge of our history, cultures and traditions,” said Holomisa.
“His praise singing filled us with immense pride and he gave western institutions such as parliament an unmistakable African identity. The ministry has lost a pillar of strength, a diverse and dynamic individual who was not only a dedicated employee but a father figure to his colleagues.”
Labour minister Mildred Oliphant described Nojozi “as one of a kind”.
“The labour department family at large has lost a great servant and an exceptional figure who imbued in all of them a heightened sense of patriotism, identity and heritage,” said Oliphant.
ANC spokesperson Judy Ngoloyi said Nojozi left an indelible mark on cultural and artistic life.
To Nojozi, praise singing was a sacred calling from ancestors or prophecy from God embedded in him. Before every rendition he would evoke his ancestors’ spirit and listen to them.
Family spokesperson and younger sister Nogolide Nojozi said they had lost a father-figure and a shoulder to cry on.
“Jongela was a living heritage and the archive of the nation. His spontaneous memory of successive royal lineage, praise and clan names and of the nation’s defining moments, was amazing,” said Nogolide...