SA kora player Joe Ntsako Makhanza passes away

His death was confirmed by his family in a press release, with no details about the cause of death.

“We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Joe Ntsako Makhanza, who departed this world on 9 April 2024 after being admitted for a short while at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital,” the family said. “Joe was a selfless and humble father, husband, brother, son, uncle and friend, a gifted musician, self-taught music instrument maker, facilitator, and an advocate of African indigenous musical instruments.” 

The family has requested time and space to finalise the details of his funeral.

Makhanza’s passing is a loss to indigenous music scholarship. His work made a lasting impact on the creative industry as a whole. He was a mentor at the Music In Africa Foundation’s (MIAF’s) Instrument Building and Repair (IBR) workshop in Johannesburg in 2020. The IBR project encourages the formalisation and professionalisation of instrument making and repair in Africa, especially in relation to indigenous African instruments. 

“Joe Makhanza’s passing leaves a profound void in our hearts and in the music community,” MIAF projects manager Violet Maila said. “His dedication and expertise as a trainer in the Instrument Building and Repair project is testament to his love for cultural preservation and just how much he valued our indigenous instruments. It was a privilege to work with him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. May his legacy continue to inspire and enrich the indigenous music landscape he cared so deeply about.”

Makhanza was born in Giyani, Limpopo Province. He was a music graduate from Wits University and attained a postgraduate diploma in arts marketing. He played and manufactured the kora, mbira, valiha, masenqo, xiwewe, ngoni ba and xizambi instruments. In 2011 and 2019, he travelled to Mali and Senegal as part of his ethnographic research to learn how to play the djeli ngoni and the tambin flute.

He worked with such artists as Concord Nkabinde, Bokani Dyer, Tlale Makhene, Bheki Khoza, Aly Keita and Louis Mhlanga.

Makhanza’s family is seeking donations for his funeral. The public can deposit funds via the IKS Cultural Consulting bank account below:

Account Name: IKS Cultural Consulting
Reference: Joe Makhanza Fund 
Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
Branch: Melville
Account Number: 62910845596
Branch Code: 256505