on May 26 2021 at 04:40 PM
Gwangwa started out as a trombonist with The Jazz Epistles in the South African music scene and later abroad after the short-lived group disbanded. He rose to prominence in the United States during the 1960s, and in 1965 he appeared at Carnegie Hall as part of a "Sound Of Africa" concert along with Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Letta Mbulu among the other artists. Despite his international success, the apartheid government did not regard him favorably, and he was forced to leave South Africa... moreGwangwa started out as a trombonist with The Jazz Epistles in the South African music scene and later abroad after the short-lived group disbanded. He rose to prominence in the United States during the 1960s, and in 1965 he appeared at Carnegie Hall as part of a "Sound Of Africa" concert along with Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Letta Mbulu among the other artists. Despite his international success, the apartheid government did not regard him favorably, and he was forced to leave South Africa in the 1970s to early 1980s in Gaborone, Botswana, where he formed the band Shakawe. The band included South African musicians Steve Dyer, Dennis Mpale, and Tony Cedras, as well as local Botswana musicians Rampholo Molefhe, Whyte Kgopo, Bonjo Keipedile, Tsholofelo Giddie, and Japie Phiri. Gwangwa became involved in the MEDU Art Ensemble, a band of anti-apartheid musicians, visual artists, and authors based in Gaborone, where he worked with other South African exiles Keorapetse Kgositsile, Baleka Mbeta, Tim Williams, Thami Mnyele, and Mongane Wally Serote. During the 14 June 1985 apartheid South African Defence Force cross-border raid on Gaborone, which killed MEDU members Mnyele, Mike Hamlyn, and ten others and bombing a house vacated by MEDU leader Williams, and returned to overseas exile. Gwangwa was the chief of Amandla, the African National Congress' cultural ensemble, from 1980 to 1990, at the behest of ANC leader in exile Oliver Tambo. Gwangwa gathered Amandla participants from displaced South Africans in Angola and explored more than 40 countries with 'Amandla the Musical,' a musical that narrates the tale of South Africa's fight against apartheid.
Later in life, he rose to fame as a musician, scoring films such as Cry Freedom (1987) and performing his nominated song Cry Freedom at the 60th Annual Academy Awards in 1988. Several awards, including an Oscar and a Grammy, were given to the film. The Ivor Bovello and Black Emmy awards were also given to it. Gwanga returned to South Africa in 1991 and started to write and perform as a trombonist. He wrote theme songs and soundtracks for shows including Generations, country's Olympic bid in 1997 and the film Othello as a composer. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards for his songs. He also sang at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute in Wembley Stadium in 1988. Johnny Dyani's composition "Portrait of Mosa Gwangwa," which appeared on Dyani's album Angolian Scream, pays tribute to Gwangwa. Gwangwa died of heart complications on 23 January 2021, at the age of 83.