This weekend, Lagos will pay tribute to the legendary Rashid Lombard, one of Africa’s most iconic cultural figures, with a special showcase hosted by the Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF), presented by Inspiro Productions.
 
Lombard, a celebrated South African photographer, cultural activist, apartheid-era freedom fighter, and founder of the globally acclaimed Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), passed away on June 4, at 74.
    
With his camera, Lombard captured the brutal apartheid era in South Africa, bravely exposing the harsh realities of oppression and the unbreakable spirit of marginalised communities. His photographs are an enduring testament to the country’s path to freedom.
  
Beyond his work in photojournalism, Lombard’s most lasting impact was the creation of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF); Africa’s largest gathering of its kind.

Founded in 2000 from a partnership with the North Sea Jazz Festival, CTIJF has grown into a world-class event, drawing close to 40,000 attendees from around the globe each year.
  
Through the CIJF, Lombard gave African musicians a worldwide platform, encouraged cross-cultural collaboration, and jumpstarted careers. He also empowered aspiring artistes through educational programs, masterclasses, and community outreach.
  
Since his passing, tributes have poured in from across continents. Jazz artistes, festival organizers, and political leaders including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have paid homage to his remarkable contributions.
  
“A cultural icon who not only documented our history of struggle but made history in his own right, Rashid’s fearless depiction of apartheid’s inhumanity, coupled with his entrepreneurial brilliance in founding the Cape Town Jazz Festival, placed South Africa firmly on the global jazz map.

“He achieved a remarkable feat with his love for the diversity and vibrancy of our nation. We reflect on his life with gratitude and joy, for the liberation and cultural legacy he leaves behind,” President Ramaphosa said.
  
The Lagos jazz community, led by Ayoola Sadare (aka Shaddie Bobo), CEO of Inspiro Productions and organiser of the Lagos International Jazz Festivaljoins the international celebration of Lombard’s extraordinary life.
 
According to Sadare, this year marks 20 years since he first met the South African icon at his festival in Cape Town having been introduced by veteran journalist Nseobong Okon-Ekong, who had before meeting been a guest at his festival.
 
The concert holds at LIVE Lounge, located on Idejo Street, off Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos, starting at 5pm, Sadare intones, adding that the evening’s powerful lineup will feature a stellar array of Nigerian music heavyweights, including Bright Gain, Wale Adeyemi, Victor Ademofe, Gloria Ibru, Herbert Kunle Ajayi (HKA), Agba Joshu, Kue Bounce, Elfreda Nana, Samuel Ayunke, Jesse Bangz, A Stringz, Zosu, Michael Gbenga, Mikifa, and many more performers.