Remembering jazz icon and trailblazer Katumbela

Soares Kabumbela also known, as DJ SK was the jazz guru of all time whose passion and determination to grow the jazz industry in Botswana is visible from a distance.

Katumbela died aged 56, holding dearly a passion he developed in his early 20s. He was reported to have died in a burning car on Thursday, September 7 on the eve of the much-anticipated maiden Francistown Jazz Festival, a dream he has always held. Multitudes who flocked both his memorial service and funeral were a testimony of the man’s popularity. Many speakers described him as caring, humble, passionate, and a go-getter who was also patient and they vowed to keep his legacy and passion in grooming the jazz industry. According to Sidney Nzala, a member of Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association (BEPA) also his nephew, music has always run in the family. He said his uncle was fond of a musical group called The Whispers in the early 1970s.