Maestro Abdullah Ibrahim tree by die Kaapstad-fees op asof dit sy laaste is, getuig fotograaf JIMI MATTHEWS

Dit was op ’n manier vreesaanjaend om die 91-jarige Abdullah Ibrahim, wêreldberoemde jazzmusikant, só broos op die verhoog by die naweek se Cape Town International Jazz-fees te sien, sê JIMI MATTHEWS, die fotograaf wat hierdie wit-en-swart-foto’s van hom geneem het.

Waarom is dit belangrik? Ibrahim is ’n tydgenoot van Matthews se pa, die skrywer en digter James, wat nie te lank gelede nie op 95 gesterf het. Maar Ibrahim se note op die verhoog het uiteindelik so aards en eg geklink soos die onvergeetlike poësie van Matthews se pa.

30.03.2026 | FOTO VAN DIE WEEK: KULTUUR

Mondstuk Media het Jimi Matthews gevra om sy ervaring te beskryf met die neem van die foto’s, gegee sy lang verbintenis met Abdullah Ibrahim deur sy pa, James Matthews. Die twee was deel van die legendariese Distrik Ses- en later Kaapse Vlakte-generasie van kreatiewe mense: musikante, digters, fotograwe en denkers. Jimi skryf:

Having recently lost my father , at age 95, and knowing that Abdullah was very frail, at 91, l was not sure whether it was a wise idea to ask him to perform at the CTIJF. When Abdullah was wheeled onto the stage in a wheelchair l was was quite alarmed by just how frail he was. My concern and anxiety proved to be unnecessary. Once he was assisted onto the piano stool, he assumed a meditative posture for a few moments and then started playing. From the very first note he had us all spell-bound. The audience went completely silent for the next hour or so as the maestro shared with us, through his music, the wisdom that he has acquired through his extraordinary life and was now passing onto us. The experience was deeply spiritual and l feel blessed that l had the opportunity to listen to Abdullah in person, one more time.