The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) has expressed sadness following the passing of its board member Gloria Bosman (50) who passed away yesterday.

The Soweto-born musician is known for her extraordinary national and international jazz performances and gracing audiences through her music talent.

Having shared the stage with South African music legends such as Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Moses Molelekwa, Tananas and Sipho Mabuse, she will be remembered for putting a smile on faces of local jazz fanatics.

In 2003, she was nominated in the Best Female Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album categories at the South African Music Awards. Her album Nature’s Dances (2004 – solo album) previously received six Sama nominations and the title of Best Female Composer.

 

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A post shared by Gloria Bosman (@gloriabosman)

Bosman was appointed as a Samro board member during their last annual general meeting in December 2022 and her arrival to the organisation’s apex governance structure was welcomed by Samro members and the industry in general.

“As a composer and a performing artist, in the short period that Bosman was a member of the board, she added a perspective that comprised of a rich blend of insights on member aspirations as well as the direction that our organisation should continue to march towards,” says board chairperson Nicholas Maweni.

“Bosman was an energetic and passionate board member who fully supported the organisation’s strategic direction, including diversifying income streams for Samro and vigorously protecting members’ interests by ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. While highly empathetic, she was firm and direct when she engaged with her colleagues,” adds Maweni.

Maweni says the entire board is shocked and saddened at Bosman’s untimely death and that it will take time for them to come to terms with it.

“The wisdom, insights and knowledge she gained throughout her very long and illustrious career is what got her to be appointed to the board of Samro.

“We will dearly miss her presence of mind in our engagements, her humanity, compassion and empathy for her fellow composers.

“On behalf of Samro, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and supporters of Bosman. Our industry has lost a giant.”

Jazz legend Sipho Hotstix Mabuza also paid tribute to Bosman in a tweet and said [sic]: “Rest in peace my dear friend, thank you for sharing your gift with us all. Am shattered.”

Other tributes:

https://twitter.com/NsaArt/status/1635895261711982593

So vibrant, super amazing and exceptionally inspiring – now gone too soon. Heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and fans of Gloria Bosman. May her vibrant soul #RIP #RIPGloriaBosman💔🕊 pic.twitter.com/s4sousl0rc

— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) March 14, 2023

I am heartbroken by the passing on of #GloriaBosman. Her music brought me so many hours of happiness and joy. My heartfelt sympathy to her family and all her friends. South Africa is far the poorer for this terrible loss. May Her Beautiful Soul Rest In Peace 🙏🏾. pic.twitter.com/eTuN9aDiFE

— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) March 15, 2023

@myanc statement on the untimely passing of jazz musical maestro, Gloria Bosman #RIPGloriaBosman pic.twitter.com/EmIrEJNG50

— African National Congress (@MYANC) March 14, 2023