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South African Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, Who Wrote Anti-Apartheid Anthem, Dies at 91

HeadlineJun 16, 2026

The South African jazz musician and pianist Abdullah Ibrahim has died at the age of 91. Ibrahim was born to parents of mixed ethnic descent in 1930s Cape Town, South Africa, and made his professional debut as Dollar Brand at age 15. Over the decades, he went on to produce more than 70 records. Ibrahim’s best-known work is “Mannenberg,” recorded in 1974 — a major anti-apartheid anthem that reportedly inspired Nelson Mandela during his long imprisonment. Ibrahim performed at Mandela’s 1994 inauguration as South Africa’s first Black president. Mandela reportedly referred to him as “our Mozart.”

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