Tributes are pouring in for renowned South African photographer and jazz promoter Rashid Lombard.

He passed away in Cape Town at the age of 74.

Lombard was born in North End, Gqeberha, and moved with his family to Cape Town at the age of 11.

Over the course of his career, he documented pivotal moments in South Africa’s journey to freedom.

In 1997, Rashid founded espAfrika, the events management company behind the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which he launched in 2000 and directed until his retirement in 2014.

One of his friends, Andre Marais says his passing marks the end of an era.

“Yeah no, absolutely Rashid will be sorely missed. I think in his life he spent so many decades intersected with so many periods anti-apartheid and yes I will definitely miss him. He has a tremendous archive and I think he was trying to organise that at the time of his death. I want to extend my deepest condolences to his family,” says Marais.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Rashied Lombard, the heart, soul and mind behind the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and also one of our country’s most remarkable photographers.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and all who knew him. pic.twitter.com/xm4Y99cfV2

— Western Cape Government Cultural Affairs & Sport (@WCGovCas) June 4, 2025

Moreover, a close family friend and colleague of Lombard, says he will be remembered for his great contribution to jazz and music in the country.

His friend Jimi Matthews says Lombard was a gifted photographer and photojournalist who spent many years during the 80s and 90s recording the uprising and struggles of the people.

“Rashid often visited poverty-stricken areas to record the living conditions of the people. Rashid and I worked together very closely in the 80s. First, he worked with me as a sound man, but we also shared a dark room and we had many photographic exhibitions together. So, our families basically grew up together,” says Matthews.