Ismail “Pops” Mohamed-Jan — known professionally as Pops Mohamed, the South African multi-instrumentalist and revered jazz elder — has died. He passed away on Thursday, 4 December at the age of 75, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture confirmed. No cause of death was released.
- Full name: Ismail Mohamed‑Jan (Pops Mohamed)
- Age: 75 (born 10 December 1949, Benoni, Gauteng)
- Career span: More than 50 years as a performer, producer and cultural advocate
- Nickname: “The Minister of Music”
- Notable awards: SAMA Lifetime Achievement (2023), Arts & Culture Trust Lifetime Achievement (2010)
The Legacy
Pops Mohamed built a career that stretched across five decades, earning a reputation as a master of traditional and contemporary sound. A multi‑instrumentalist, he was celebrated for his skill on the kora, mbira, African mouth bow, didgeridoo, guitar and keyboard, and for bringing indigenous instruments into modern arrangements.
Top achievements and lasting contributions:
- SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award (2023): Recognised for his immense contribution to South African music.
- Arts & Culture Trust Lifetime Achievement Award (2010): Honoured for cultural leadership and artistic excellence.
- Producer of note: Ancestral Healing (from NY to Joburg), which won the FNB SAMA Award for Best Traditional Performance.
Social proof and tributes
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture confirmed Mohamed’s death and Minister Gayton McKenzie described it as “the loss of a significant figure in the country’s musical landscape.” McKenzie added that Mohamed was “a guardian of our cultural heritage, a teacher, a visionary,” whose work “carried the voices of our ancestors and opened doors for new generations to embrace and celebrate our roots.”
Fans, fellow musicians and cultural figures have shared condolences and memories across social platforms, praising his role as a mentor and cultural ambassador. Media outlets including The Citizen carried early reports and highlighted his decades of influence in jazz, traditional music and cross‑cultural collaboration.
Mohamed’s passing leaves a wide circle of students, collaborators and listeners mourning the loss of a major creative force in South African music. Details about memorial services or funeral arrangements have not yet been released.
Source: The Citizen; Department of Sport, Arts and Culture statement.
Image Referance: https://www.knysnaplettherald.com/Entertainment/Article/a-true-sa-jazz-legend-tributes-pour-in-for-veteran-musician-pops-mohamed-202512080209