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Spartacus R., Founding Member of Osibisa/GAPRadio, Has Passed On

by Karen Hatter | August 3, 2010 at 10:00 am

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Spartacus R., known to many as Brother Fundisi, the TruthSayer, peacefully passed on from this existence on July 30, 2010 after battling cancer. At this time, arrangements have not been finalized by the family.

Spartacus R. was one of the founding members and bass player in the band Osibisa, the acclaimed 70s African Rock band. An internationally recognized musician and revolutionary activist, after leaving Osibisa, Spartacus launched a solo career.

After Osibisa, Spartacus recorded the seminal acoustic masterpiece, "Africa I See", one of four successful, self-penned solo albums released on his own Zara Music Records label. With an acoustic guitar, ankle bells and some face paint, Spartacus R. travelled the world playing to audiences of 3 to 300,000 people in Africa, America, Australia, Europe and Japan.
An outspoken Musician, Poet, Author, Columnist, Talk Show Host, Seer and TruthSayer, Spartacus R. is one of the most highly respected of writers in the UK. Many of his contemporaries, including the late Bernie Grant, MP, have attested to his "honesty and integrity". As a Human Rights Activist and Teacher, Spartacus has shared platforms with some of the world's most celebrated speakers, including Jesse Jackson who dubbed him the "African", and Paul Boateng, MP.

Spartacus R. was the founder of GAPRadio, an internet radio station, which acquired an international audience, addressing concerns and issues confronting the African community, at home and in the diaspora.

I met Spartacus R. over 20 years ago when he performed as the featured artist at a political rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The rally was organized to call for criminal accountability and prosecution of Philadelphia city officials for their roles in the bombing of the MOVE family in their home and the resultant fire that culminated in the lost lives of 11 members of the MOVE family, including children, and the destruction of several blocks in a West Philadelphia neighborhood.

May the Ancestors guide and protect Spartacus during his transition.

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Joe Benjamin (not verified)

at 00:41 on August 6th, 2010

I am an individual who spent a lot of time with Spartacus in the bad old days doing things that got us both regularly arrested by the pols as we referred to them.From removing South African wine from Tesco,s in Brixton to squatting an unused property not five minutes from where I am now to setup a nursery for children from our community. There are many more tales but there will be no more such. Later Spartacus. My condolences to both his families, the political and the genetic.Brother Elder (Joe Benjamin)Ajomase Yoruba (We Must All Do It Together)

Uigei (not verified)

at 12:37 on September 3rd, 2010

I must tell you how this news so breaks my heart. I went to his Facebook page to wish him a Happy Birthday. I am thankful that he was most gracious and welcoming to me. I am so sad. Blessings to his family, and all of his friends worldwide. Peace Ui

K2 (not verified)

at 19:42 on September 3rd, 2010

I can't believe it! Spartacus gone? Gosh... Shocked. He is the third person i know who Cancer has claimed in July 2010. And all 3 musicians. But The Creator knows best... I'll always remember him as a strikingly strong man. A politically outspoken and articulate brother who did not mince his words in public arenas, who would not just 'stand by' on mute. He refused to be 'sheep', nor let people shut him up - especially when he had something to say to the people. I liked his strength.

Mutu (not verified)

at 12:52 on September 30th, 2010

I just learnt, while talking with a friend-sister, that our beloved Bother Spartacus passed away two months ago! I'm shocked, I can't believe it! I first met Brother Spartacus in Paris, France at an International meeting of African descent people. I really liked him, I mean the way he spoke and what he said. I said to myself: "this is a true brother who does not mince his words." I then went to get to know him and he told me about what he was doing in the UK as well as his radio on the Net. I would from time to time call at his radio(GAP radio). My sister-brother who actually invited Brother Spartacus -Brother Fundisi, the TruthSayer- at that Conference in Paris told me some time ago how the British government was harasing the Brother. I would even say that all these harassments have triggered off that cancer that killed our Brother. Anyway, I will never forget the day I met Brother Fundisi in Paris at that Conference and how he has spent his last moments fighting against the people who do not like us, who killing our people everyday. He was a true African Hero. Rest in Peace, Our African Hero. My heart goes out to his family and to the people who loved him for what he really was: A TRUE AFRICAN HERO who died at War! PECAE TO YOU BROTHER!