Basil Coetzee

Basil "Manenberg" Coetzee (2 February 1944 – 11 March 1998)

Career and anti-apartheid activism In the 1960s and 1970s, whilst jazz musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Johnny Dyani, and Louis Moholo were choosing exile due to the repression of the apartheid regime, Coetzee remained in South Africa and continued his career despite financial difficulties, working in a factory to support himself.

In 1974, he took part in the recording of the album Mannenberg – Is Where It’s Happening with Abdullah Ibrahim. The album contains the song which became an immense popular success and one of the unofficial anthems of the anti-apartheid movement. It also impressed musicians as the recording is reputed to have been made in just one take. The nickname ‘Manenberg’ has been associated with him ever since. Coetzee's son, Basil Coetzee, Jr., played saxophone in the service.