Here are 1 famous musicians from South Africa died at 23:
Carla Swart (November 16, 1987 South Africa-January 19, 2011 Free State) was a South African personality.
Carla Swart was a successful cyclist and triathlete with numerous titles to her name, including the 2009 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Champion and the 2010 British University Road National Champion. She attended various universities including the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and was also a member of the South African national cycling team. Swart, who was known for her talent and dedication, was tragically killed while training on her bike in the Free State province of South Africa at the age of 23. Her legacy in the sport continues on as she is remembered for her strength and perseverance.
Carla Swart was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and grew up in the town of Mount Edgecombe. She started cycling at the age of nine and quickly showed her natural talent for the sport. Swart joined the Natal Women's Cycling team at the age of 14 and soon became one of the leading female cyclists in South Africa.
Throughout her cycling career, Swart amassed an impressive list of achievements. She won the South African national road race title twice, in 2009 and 2010, and the women's road race at the All-Africa Games in 2007. She also competed in the 2008 World Road Championships and represented South Africa at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
In addition to her success in cycling, Swart was also an accomplished triathlete. She won the South African Triathlon Championship in 2008 and 2009 and finished second at the African Triathlon Championship in 2009.
Swart was known not only for her athletic ability but also for her dedication and work ethic. She was studying for a degree in Civil Engineering at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University while balancing her training and competition schedule.
Her untimely death was a shock to the cycling community both in South Africa and internationally. Many of her friends and colleagues remember her as a kind and friendly person who always had a smile on her face. Her legacy lives on, and the Carla Swart Pro-Am Classic was established in her memory.
After her passing, there were numerous tributes in honor of Carla Swart. The Carla Swart Foundation was created, which provides scholarships to young South African cyclists who demonstrate promising potential in the sport. Additionally, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University renamed their annual cycling race to the Carla Swart Memorial Cycle Race. In 2012, Carla Swart was posthumously inducted into the South African Cycling Hall of Fame, recognizing her incredible contributions to the sport. Her legacy continues to inspire young women to pursue cycling and triathlons, and her story serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety awareness for all cyclists.
She died in traffic collision.
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