Pops Mohamed, the multi-instrumentalist whose five-decade journey fused African tradition, jazz and world music, has died at 75. His loss is being felt across the arts community as tributes pour in for a man whose music helped shape the sound and soul of modern South Africa.
South Africa is in mourning following the death of one of its most cherished musical icons, Pops Mohamed, real name Ismail Mohamed-Jan. He passed away on 4 December 2025 at age 75. Born on 10 December 1949 in Benoni, Gauteng, he leaves behind a musical legacy that spanned more than five decades.
Pops Mohamed earned the title “the Minister of Music” for his extraordinary talent and versatility. As a gifted multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and cultural custodian, he mastered a wide array of instruments — including the kora, mbira, African mouth bow, didgeridoo, guitar and keyboard — building a signature sound that fused traditional African rhythms with jazz, kwela, soul, world music, and contemporary influences.
Over his lifetime, he produced more than 20 albums and received numerous honours for his dedication to preserving and evolving African musical heritage. Notably, he won the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards (SAMA) in 2023, and earlier in 2010 the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to South African arts and culture.
Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, led by Gayton McKenzie, described his passing as a profound loss for the nation’s cultural heritage. They hailed Pops Mohamed as more than a musician — as a teacher, visionary and guardian of ancestral voices. His music, they said, opened doors for generations to embrace and celebrate their roots
Responses from within the arts community poured in swiftly. The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) called him a visionary who challenged boundaries of race, genre and tradition, celebrating his lifetime of mentorship, creative freedom and unity through music. Others described him as a humble yet towering cultural bridge-builder: someone who carried the soul of South Africa’s music and heritage in his sound.
Pops Mohamed's influence extended far beyond his recordings. He carried a torch for indigenous and traditional African instruments, often giving workshops, performing globally and blending ancient rhythms with modern genres. His approach opened new possibilities — showing that South African music could honour the past while embracing innovation.
As the country reflects on his passing, many note that his music was more than entertainment — it was identity, history and resistance. For many young musicians and fans, Pops Mohamed offered a blueprint: stay rooted, stay curious, and let African heritage inform the future.
