Tributes have been streaming in for musician Justen Hosken – guitar virtuoso, music teacher and adored member of the local community.
Born and bred in Brackenfell, Hosken passed away on Thursday 10 March from his injuries at the age of 27, following a horrific car accident on 2 March.
His wife Lee-Anne was with him in the vehicle at the time of the accident, but did not sustain major injuries.
The music community, family friends and the school community where he taught music were left devastated and heartbroken by his untimely death.
Justen’s natural talent and sterling performances, solo and with his band Rabbit Black all over Cape Town and at local venues Jamrock Theatre and Heroes Restaurant, enthralled audiences.
As a session he will be remembered for playing many Bok Radio Biltong Sessions and in the popular Tydloos Musical Theatre shows.
Best friend and co-band member Stanley Hill says the shock of Justen’s death is unbearable.
Barely holding back the tears he spoke to TygerBurger on Friday.
“He was the best, the best person and the best musician. He was a wizard on the guitar, be it lead guitar or bass guitar. He was the most gentle and genuine person that I knew.
“Everyone loved him everywhere he went. He was funny, endearing and made people laugh. His death has left a hole in my heart and in my life that cannot be filled. He was a brother to me.”
Justen completed his schooling at Brackenfell High School and at the time of his death was completing his degree as a fourth-year BMus student in Classical Guitar at Stellenbosch University.
As a guitar teacher/tutor at Brackenfell High School he will be sorely missed, says head of the music department Marian Steyl.
“We are all very traumatised by his death. Justen was one of the most musical people I knew, as a child when he was in my class for five years and as a guitar teacher at the school,” says Steyl.
“He was brilliant. I admired how he worked himself up from difficult circumstances, from a quiet child who didn’t speak much but did magic on his guitar to a well-known and respected virtuoso. He worked so hard, and nearly had that degree he so badly wanted.”
“Wherever music was to be made Justen was prepared to play. He played anything he could with those 10 fingers of his and audiences were enchanted by him. He played with the choirs, he played at church functions and at any event he could across Cape Town,” says Steyl.
She describes him as a soft hearted, gentle person and a role-model to his students.
“He truly touched their lives, he was one bundle of goodness.
“He left a void in our hearts and the music world that cannot be filled.”
Student Chané Jordaan says he did everything he could to help his students.
“He was very patient and nobody ever had anything bad to say about him.”
Student Gabrielle Pienaar says Justen was a “godsend” to him.
“He was more than just our teacher, He was my ‘death metal dad’, a safe space, a how-to play instruments wikihow search incarnate and a truly godsend. You made it into the 27 Club Justen! I just wish you didn’t have to leave too soon.”
A fund was started to assist his widow Lee-Anne with outstanding medical bills for the time Justen was in the intensive care unit.
For more information send an email to justenhoskenfund@gmail.com.
