South Africa is mourning the death of legendary musician Babsy Mlangeni, who has died at the age of 83 following a short illness.
Mlangeni died on Thursday night, bringing an end to a music career that spanned almost six decades.
Born in Soweto in 1943, Mlangeni became one of the country’s most recognisable music veterans, with his distinctive voice and songwriting earning him generations of fans.
He rose to prominence with songs including “Bua Nnete” and “Sala Emma”, and went on to release a catalogue that included “Botsotso”, “Lonely Man” and “Umadlembathini.” His music crossed linguistic and cultural boundaries, with recordings in isiZulu, Sesotho and isiXhosa.
Mlangeni was blind from childhood and attended the Athlone School for the Blind in Cape Town, where he developed his musical skills and learned to play the guitar.
He went on to establish himself as a singer, guitarist and composer, becoming an important figure in South African music while also helping challenge perceptions about what blind musicians could achieve.
His contribution to the industry was formally recognised with a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. He also played a role in nurturing younger talent, including fellow visually impaired musician Steve Kekana.
Mlangeni leaves behind a musical legacy that stretched across generations and became part of the soundtrack of South African life.
South Africa has lost one of its distinctive musical voices.
