The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold

Awarded for: his contribution to the development and popularity of jazz in South Africa and its integration into the genre internationally. As an alto saxophonist, he was one of a generation of luminaries who shaped South Africa’s modern jazz style through innovative composition and uniquely South African improvisation.

Mr Jeremiah Kippie Morolong Moeketsi was born in Johannesburg in 1924. His family settled in George Goch location, a rundown “African township” in the era before Soweto was established. He was the youngest in a musical family: his father, a Municipal Clerk, was also a church organist; his mother sang and his four older brothers played some instruments.

He discovered how much music from his brothers Jacob – who had played piano for the pioneering Jazz Maniacs – and Andrew (both of whom played classical music and jazz) he had intermittent tuition. Music fascinated him and there were plenty of music books in the Moeketsi home, through which Kippie mainly taught himself after finishing his day jobs. Sometimes he would practise through the night, provoking angry complaints from neighbours. He learnt to read music and switched from clarinet to saxophone.

Kippie’s first musical instrument was the clarinet, which he played with his first band known as the Band in Blue. The Band in blue played for shebeens and slum audiences who enjoyed the music to some extent; although Kippie felt discouraged by the minimum interest they showed. This, and other personal problems, resulted in a lifelong habit of drinking and money squandering; however, these problems did not stand in his way of being a renowned saxophone player, an instrument he played after he left the Band in Blue. Kippie has made a great name for himself in the jazz industry by playing with other great South African musicians such as Messrs Abdullah Ibrahim, Jonas Gwangwa, Bra Hugh Masekela and Ms Mirriam Makeba. He also toured with well-known bands such as the Shantytown Sestet, Harlem Swingsters, Jazz Epistles and the Jazz Dazzlers; leading various small groups of his own, playing support for the likes of Manhattan Brothers, Ms Dolly Rathebe, Ms Dorothy Masuka and in multiple formations (from trio to septet) bearing the band name Shanty Town. He featured on visiting United States of America (USA) pianist, Mr John Mehegan’s two Jazz in Africa albums and as part of the legendary Jazz Epistles Verse One.

From 1971, when he got a new instrument, Kippie played triumphantly and beautifully again for another seven years, as a peer of the country’s other jazz legends including Dollar Brand (later Mr Abdullah Ibrahim, whom he had mentored), Messrs Allen Kwela, Dennis Mpale, Matshikiza, Mike Makhalemele and visiting USA star, Mr Hal Singer. Mr Kippie Moeketsi’s life as a musician is captured by author, Mr Peter Esterhuysen in a book titled: Kippie Moeketsi: Sad Man of Jazz, which captures his life as that of being a great musician.