Pathetic Facts

South African musicians died when they were 41

Here are 9 famous musicians from South Africa died at 41:

Shaka

Shaka (April 5, 1787 KwaZulu-Natal-September 22, 1828 KwaDukuza) was a South African personality.

Shaka was a powerful Zulu king and warrior who is credited with reshaping the Zulu tribe into a formidable army in the early 19th century. He was born to the Zulu chief, Senzangakhona, and took over as the Zulu leader in 1816, after the death of his father. Shaka is known for his military tactics, particularly his use of the short stabbing spear and shield, which made his army almost unbeatable in battle. He is also credited with creating a centralized political system and introducing new social and cultural practices to the Zulu tribe. Despite his achievements, Shaka's violent reign led to his assassination by his half-brothers in 1828. His legacy, however, continues to influence the Zulu people and South African history.

He died in murder.

Benedict Wallet Vilakazi

Benedict Wallet Vilakazi (January 6, 1906 KwaDukuza-October 26, 1947 Johannesburg) was a South African personality.

Vilakazi was a renowned poet, novelist, and educator who was the first black South African to receive a PhD. He is particularly celebrated for his literary works in Zulu, including his famous epic poem, "Amal'ezulu" (The Servants of the Star), and his novel "Noma Nini" (At Whatever Cost). Vilakazi also taught at several universities in South Africa, including the University of the Witwatersrand, where he was a lecturer in African languages. Today, he is remembered as a towering figure in South African literature and as a pioneer in the study of African languages and cultures.

He died in meningitis.

Brett Kebble

Brett Kebble (February 19, 1964 Springs-September 27, 2005) was a South African entrepreneur and businessperson.

Kebble made a name for himself in the mining industry of South Africa, where he established and managed several successful companies. He also became known for his involvement in philanthropic activities and his support for the arts. However, Kebble's life took a dark turn in the last years of his life, as he became embroiled in a series of financial scandals and legal disputes. His death, which was later found to be a murder, shocked the country and sparked a major investigation. The case remains one of the most high-profile and controversial criminal cases in South African history.

He died caused by murder.

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Piet Uys

Piet Uys (April 5, 1797 Bredasdorp-April 11, 1838 uMgungundlovu) was a South African personality.

He was a member of the Voortrekker movement, leading a group of Boers in their migration from the Cape Colony to Natal in the 1830s. Uys played a significant role in establishing the Boer presence in Natal, but his life was tragically cut short during battle with the Zulus in the Battle of Italeni. He is remembered as a hero for his bravery and leadership during the conflict. Additionally, Uys is the father of Januarius MacGahan, an American journalist who gained fame for his reporting on the Bulgarian atrocities during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.

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Horace Martineau

Horace Martineau (October 31, 1874 London-April 7, 1916 Dunedin) was a South African soldier.

Horace Martineau was born on October 31, 1874, in London, England. He grew up in South Africa and joined the army at age 18. He served in the Second Boer War and later fought in World War I. Martineau was known for his bravery in battle, and he was quickly promoted to the rank of captain.

During World War I, Martineau served in Egypt and the Dardanelles, receiving several commendations for his bravery. Unfortunately, his military career was cut short when he died of gastritis on April 7, 1916, in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Martineau is remembered for his courage and dedication to his country. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his service in World War I.

He died in gastritis.

Read more about Horace Martineau on Wikipedia »

Simon Nkoli

Simon Nkoli (November 26, 1957 Soweto-November 30, 1998) was a South African personality.

Simon Nkoli was a South African anti-apartheid, gay rights and HIV/AIDS activist. He came out as a gay man in the late 1970s, at a time when homosexuality was considered a crime in South Africa. Nkoli founded the first gay rights group in South Africa called "Saturday Group" and later joined the "Gay Association of South Africa" (GASA). Nkoli was also involved in the fight against apartheid, and was arrested several times for his activism.

In 1984, Nkoli was a founding member of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), and was instrumental in initiating a boycott of schools. He was arrested during the state of emergency in the mid-1980s and was charged with treason. After his release, he continued his activism and became one of the first black South Africans to openly live with HIV/AIDS.

Nkoli's legacy as a gay rights activist and anti-apartheid campaigner lives on through the Simon Nkoli Collective, a Johannesburg-based organization that supports LGBTI youth and promotes equality for all.

He died in hiv/aids.

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Bree O'Mara

Bree O'Mara (July 4, 1968 Durban-May 12, 2010) was a South African author.

Born in Durban, South Africa on July 4, 1968, Bree O'Mara was a talented author who went on to make a significant mark in the literary world. She received her education at the University of Cape Town where she studied English Literature and History. After completing her education, she pursued a career in writing and authored several notable books and articles.

Throughout her career, O'Mara became widely known for her writing style which often explored themes of identity, culture, and race. Her books gained a following in South Africa and her work was highly regarded by her peers in the industry.

Despite her untimely death on May 12, 2010 at the age of 41, Bree O'Mara's legacy continues to live on through her writing. She is remembered as a brilliant author who used her talent to shed light on important issues affecting South Africa and beyond.

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Anton Hammerl

Anton Hammerl (December 12, 1969 South Africa-April 5, 2011) was a South African personality.

Anton Hammerl was a photojournalist who covered conflict and humanitarian issues in various countries around the world. He started his career as a photographer in South Africa and later worked for various international publications such as Reuters, The Sunday Independent, and The Sunday Times. He became well-known for his work covering the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011, including his coverage of the conflict in Libya. Unfortunately, Hammerl was killed while on assignment in Libya, and his body was only recovered and identified two years later. His legacy continues to inspire and influence journalists and photographers worldwide.

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Lee Brilleaux

Lee Brilleaux (May 10, 1952 Durban-April 7, 1994) also known as Brilleaux, Lee or Lee Collinson was a South African personality.

Genres he performed include Rhythm and blues, Pub rock and Rock music.

Read more about Lee Brilleaux on Wikipedia »