Farewell 2Jay! - THISABILITY NEWSPAPER

By Simon Manda

Jonathan Juliun Groenewald, aka 2Jay Harmonix, a well-known rapper, YouTube creator, motivational speaker, Casual Day and Nappy Run ambassador, recently passed away and was buried on Saturday, 22^nd July 2023 in Rustenburg.

2Jay was a passionate rapper, content creator, motivational speaker, disability activist, author, and businessman.

He was known as a community builder who spread the disability advocacy message far and wide hosting events and creating a YouTube channel for the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) called Casual Fridays, which gave insights into various profiles with disabilities.

He released his debut rap album, Motivational, in 2015 and was working on a new album, Throne on Wheels.

In 2019, 2jay released an anthology, Lyrix: The Rhymes and Poems of 2Jay Harmonix, sampled from a collection of his works since 2009.

He performed at the Back to the City festival and iStart2 concert- platforms that enabled him to share his art and passion for disability advocacy.

He started a podcast called Tuesdays with 2Jay in November 2022 where he spoke about the journey of his life and general issues of life drawn from his followers.

2Jay was an ambassador on two of NCPD’s flagship programs, Casual Day and the Nappy Run.

As a Casual Day ambassador, 2Jay made appearances on national TV, contributed his voice and music to jingles and adverts and curated content as a producer and presenter of the YouTube-hosted Casual Fridays.

On the 16^th of July, a memorial concert was held in Eersterust to commemorate the impactful life of the 40-year-old and several performances were held in his honour.

“Our dear friend who always smiled, always put your time and talents in the service of persons with disabilities and inspired everyone around you. We at the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities already miss you a lot but will miss you even more in times to come. Our deep gratitude to the Heavenly Father who enabled you to live and excel far beyond human expectations for all of us. Our respect for your care and dedication”, said Therina Wentzel, CEO of The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD)

Tribute

“Today, we gather here to honour the life and legacy of our dear friend Jay. For those of us who were fortunate enough to know him, we were witnesses to a truly remarkable individual. I’ve had the privilege of calling Jay my friend since 2010, and I can confidently say that his presence in my life has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Jay was a force to be reckoned with—a pioneer who broke barriers and fearlessly pursued his dreams. As a hip-hop head and poet, he had a way with words that had the power to move and inspire everyone he encountered. His ability to influence hearts was genuinely remarkable, and it’s a testament to the impact he had on others.

What set Jay apart was his relentless drive. He was never one to sit back and relax. Instead, he was constantly in motion, always contemplating the next move. We affectionately knew him as “Mr Ideas” because his mind was always brimming with innovative concepts and plans.

Jay was never afraid to take risks; he fearlessly leapt out of his comfort zone time and time again. One of Jay’s incredible achievements was the establishment of his media company. With unwavering determination, he built something meaningful and sustainable. And as soon as that foundation was laid, Jay embarked on yet another incredible journey—he became a life coach.

This was just the tip of the iceberg regarding Jay’s accomplishments. He continuously reached for the stars, pushing himself to new heights. To me, Jay was not only a great friend but also a valuable colleague. We shared moments of inspiration, collaboration, and support. His presence enriched my life in immeasurable ways.

Today, I cannot help but wonder how I would navigate this world without him by my side. As we pay tribute to Jay’s memory today, let us remember the boundless energy and passion he embodied. Let us cherish his lessons about fearlessness and pursuing our dreams.

And above all, let us honour Jay by carrying forward his spirit of perseverance, creativity, and kindness. Jay, you will be deeply missed, but your legacy will forever live on in our hearts. Thank you for being an extraordinary friend, an inspiration, and a shining light in this world.

May you rest in peace, malume Jay Jay.”