Zane Ibrahim, Bush Radio’s former Managing Director from 1996 to 2010 and the man who led the station through some stormy and great times, has died.
We have no words at this time to describe the pain of our loss and the vacuum his passing leaves.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
You are welcome to share your thoughts, memories and tributes here.
Related:
Zane Ibrahim jets in to become Radio Fast Train guest of honour
10 years of community radio – and the women who got me started
Community radio in post-apartheid South Africa: The case of Bush Radio in Cape Town
Bush Radio’s Zane Ibrahim detained and interrogated for 12 hours at US airport
US agents grill Cape radio man
Zane Ibrahim of Bush Radio in Belfast
Community radio is ninety percent about community and ten percent about radio
Tarzan doesn’t live here any more
Tags: activist, Adrian Louw, Brenda Leonard, broadcasting, Bush Radio, bushradio, campaign, Canada, cape town, child rights, cissie, Community radio, develop, died, hanif, inspiring, Managing Director, maya angelou, McClain, media activist, Netherlands, poet, prins klaus, rights, RIP, rip zane, social dev, speaker, trudy, trudy kragwijk, youth media, z ibrahim, zaidy, zain, zaine, zaki, zane abrahams, zane ibrahim, zayne
Bushradio 89.5 FM 
19/05/2014 at 6:49 PM |
Oh my brother, my loved ones and I owe so much to you. Thank God you lived and loved and amongst us. Like Spring you made us blossom wherever we were and still your legacy continues. You live on in every mustard seed that you have planted with such loving care. From Allah we come and to that is the final journey. What a journey you have travelled! Hamba Kahle!
19/05/2014 at 7:53 PM |
[…] https://bushradio.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/zane-ibrahim-23-june-1941-to-19-may-2014/ […]
19/05/2014 at 8:30 PM |
Very sad indeed. RIP Zane
19/05/2014 at 8:33 PM |
THE following poem I wrote for Adli Jacobs, the last 3 verses were added just now. When I think of Zane the same image comes to mind, FEARLESS FIGHTERS that I respect.
WOULD I BE FOUND WANTING
WHEN RESPONSIBILITY IS THRUST UPON ME
OR TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE
AND SET MY SOUL FREE
IF LIFE SHOULD DEMAND A HIGHER SACRIFICE
WILL I SEEK OTHERS TO CARRY THE PLIGHT
RATHER TREAD THE WELL TRAVELLED PATH
NOT TO STAND OUT AS ONE WHO PUT UP A FIGHT
HIDING FROM THE DEMANDS OF LIFE
SEEKING OUT THE MUNDANE PLEASURES OF WEALTH
ONCE I WAS ONE WHO SET THE PACE
NOW MY ONLY CONCERN IS MY HEALTH
NAY I WILL PRESS ON IN THE HOWLING WIND
I WILL INSPIRE BEYOND MY LIMITED REACH
CREATING SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK
ECHOING IDEAS OF THOSE LOST IN SPEECH
IT IS NEVER A CHOICE TO BE MADE IN BEING BOLD
ON WE MARCH TO OVERCOME AND PUT ARIGHT
STRUGGLE IS NOT FOR THOSE WHO FEAR
ONLY FOR THOSE WHO CAN PUT UP A FIGHT
WHEN I DEPART FOR A ANOTHER ABODE
KNOW THAT I CHOSE NEVER TO YIELD
TOGETHER WE HAVE BEEN IN LIFE
ALLOW ME NOW TO PREPARE OUR NEW FIELD
Zane, may you rewarded for all your selfless sacrifices and may we remember to take a page from your book and the servant that you were.
19/05/2014 at 8:42 PM |
A unique, strong individual and critical thinker. No ordinary human being. A very proud patriot and citizen of the world. May you rest in peace insha’Allah.
19/05/2014 at 9:01 PM |
Rest In Peace Zane Ibrahim… you were definitely one of a kind. The passion you had for journalism will never die and always live in those who you’ve taught and touched.. *peace sign* – forever Bush Radio 89.5 FM
20/05/2014 at 4:39 PM |
We have lost an Icon in the Movement.A great friend and Adversary.Always pushing for more answers and encouraging questions. Much loved and missed.Kind thought go out to all his loved Ones.
20/05/2014 at 8:21 PM |
As Denisia Adams says, and I agree wholeheartedly, there is only one Zane Ibrahim. I have known him since High School days at Livingstone over 50 years ago. We were great friends and shared some fabulous moments together. Hy kon soms lekker stout wees. For those who did not know where his limp came from. He was working in Stellenbosch many, many years ago when he had trouble with his motorbike and came to borrow a screwdriver from me. On the way home he had a accident and the screwdriver went through his knee. Our last photo together (with his daughter and granddaughter) on 12 November 2013 at my place I will treasure forever. Sincere condolences to his children and grandchildren and Trudy. RIP Zane
21/05/2014 at 10:31 AM |
Zane Ibrahim: an individual who pushed boundaries, did not submit to mediocrity. A “larger- than- life” character. Yet still one who loved and needed to be loved and affirmed. Lekker bristin maar lekker vulnerable ook. Rest in peace, dear soldier.
21/05/2014 at 2:56 PM |
Brother, You will always be part of me. You were an inspiration. you believed in me and gave me a chance and for 10 years I enjoyed the ride under your wings. your passion for Radio was one out of this world. I treasure our conversation and the wealth of wisdom that derived from them. AS you are gone, you left a vacuum that is not easy to fill. May you rest in peace.
24/05/2014 at 8:50 PM |
Rest in Peace Father. Your legacy will continue through those who’s hearts you’ve touched, lives you’ve influenced and the many who you’ve reached out to. May his family be comforted in their time of grief.
29/05/2014 at 8:48 AM |
In many ways I find South Africa to be running ahead at light speed while the United States bungles along. I found this from my friend Petri in my e-mail inbox this morning. I think you will find it interesting.
“ Remembering Zane Ibrahim:
Zane Ibrahim of Bush Radio in South Africa has just passed away. I’d like to take the opportunity of his passing to share the story of one small thing that he did which made an enormous difference.
In 1997, the movement to free the airwaves of the united states was in full swing. There were approximately a thousand pirate radio stations in the US, all defying the unjust broadcast regulations in a massive campaign of electronic civil disobedience. When William Kennard took office as the chairman of the FCC, the radio pirates were all pretty worried because his last job had been chief council to the National Association of Broadcasters, the chief opponents of free radio in the United States. And in fact, within a month of coming into office, Chairman Kennard initiated a series of simultaneous raids on pirate radio stations, utilizing dozens of agents of the police, FBI, FCC and other law enforcement agencies.
The pirate station I was involved in, Radio Mutiny of Philadelphia, got our first visit several weeks later. We responded with a dramatic demonstration and open air broadcast in front of Benjamin Franklins’ printing press, a symbol of freedom of speech in the US. We also promised Chairman Kennard that we would “start ten stations around the country for every one he shut down- and make the FCC’s life Really Suck until they legalized community radio.”
As our campaign of defiance gathered steam, Chairman Kennard visited South Africa on a tour promoting US interests in telecommunications in Africa. He visited Bush Radio, and met with their founder, Zane Ibrahim. Bush Radio had started under the Apartheid regime as an illegal pirate radio operation, but had been granted a license under the new democratically elected government. They have since grown to become one of the most influential community radio stations in Africa, providing a wide variety of services to their community in Cape Town.
During the tour of Bush Radio, Kennard saw their community classes, their production rooms, and dozens of people busy around the station making community radio. At a certain point, Kennard mentioned that there were pirates in the United States that wanted community radio licenses, and asked Zane’s opinion. Zane turned to him and said ( I paraphrase from my memory of his story): “We have only been free for a few years and look at what we have built here. The US has been free for 200 years and your laws still prevent people from building places like Bush Radio?” Zane did not know us, had no contact with us. But he knew just the right answer to Chairman Kennard’s question.
After his visit, Chairman Kennard spoke several times in public about his experience visiting Bush Radio, and how seeing that station in action inspired him to work hard to make legalized community broadcasting a reality in the US.Over the powerful and politically influential objections of his former employers at the broadcasting association, Mr. Kennard created a new set of rules allowing 100 watt community radio stations in the US. There are now thousands of new licenses in the US as a result.
Zane Ibrahim of Bush Radio inspired a new way of thinking about radio among the decisionmakers of the United States. Zane was a profoundly inspiring man, we could not have done it without him.
Jeremy Lansman
30/05/2014 at 11:01 AM |
Chudi UKPABI remembers Zane..
Zane will always remain, for me and all who knew worked with him the great man, friendly, very committed professional. I am happy knowing and learning a lot about BUSH RADIO and COMMUNITY RADIO from him. Our last meeting at his home in Pumerend was full of his plans about BUSH RADIO future. Sure we will greatly miss him, that great warm leadership voice. Also my great condolenses to Trudy and his family
13/06/2014 at 8:54 AM |
It is with deepest sadness to hear of the passing of one of Africa’s great son Tata Zane Ibrahim. I remember vividly the first day I walked into Bush Radio before I was given an opprtunity to be part of their presenter line-up. His presence accompanied by wisdom was unbelievable. At that moment I knew this was not just an honor but an experience that will be part of my legacy. I thank you Tata Zane for all your selfless sacrifices that you made during your life time. Sincere condolonces to your family and loved ones. We will forever miss you. Hamba kakuhle Qhawe lamaqhawe owakho umsebenzi uwufezile. Nancy Manyela
23/06/2014 at 8:40 PM |
[…] via our Facebook group and from emails sent to the station from around the world since we announced his passing – including from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and local tabloid Die […]
02/09/2021 at 10:18 AM |
Too bad. I would have loved to meet him. Not everyone has been imprisoned due to what they spoke over an FM broadcast station.