It is with a deep sense of shock and sadness that the African National Congress (ANC)in the Eastern Cape have learnt of the untimely passing away of veteran poet , Mr Jongela Singatha Nojozi.He passed on Sunday morning(16th December 2018) in hospital after he was sick for sometime.
A veteran praise singer, Mr Jongela Singatha Nojozi, was selected to praise the brand-new President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, before he delivered the 2018 State of the Nation Address in the National Assembly before the joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
Asked by Parliamentary Communication Officers at Parliament early this year before the State of the Nation Address about how is he feeling about being selected to sing praises to President Ramaphosa, “Mr Nojozi said whenever he is asked to praise the leader of the Republic of South Africa, he feels overwhelmed by the selection and quickly listens to his ancestors as he regards praise singing as a calling from his ancestors”.”He said he felt the praise singing calling when he was at primary school level in the late 60s in Krwakrwa village, his place of birth near Alice in the Eastern Cape”.
Nojozi used his talent to assert African identity, pride and dignity.He has left an indelible mark on the cultural and artistic life.He was able to express himself and his philosophical outlook to the struggle and the quest for freedom in very simple and easy to understand manner but yet at the same time full of profound meaning.
He will surely be missed by his family and his friends as well as our people as a whole.
The African National Congress conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Nojozi family.
May his soul rest in peace .
Issued by ANC Eastern Cape Communications
Enquiries:
Judy Mpetsheni
Media Liaison Officer
0636878267/0731176194
Gift Ngqondi
ANC EC Head of Communications
0849519924/0848439706
