Here are 12 famous musicians from South Africa died at 52:
Ernest Bock (September 17, 1908-September 5, 1961) was a South African personality.
He was a musician, comedian, and actor best known for his role as "Oom Kaspaas" in the South African radio program "Die Groot Trek." Bock began his career as a musician in the 1920s and gained popularity in the 1930s as a recording artist. He later transitioned into acting and comedy, becoming a beloved figure in the South African entertainment industry. Bock was also a talented athlete, participating in rugby and tennis. Despite his success, his life was marred by personal struggles and he died at the age of 52 from cirrhosis of the liver. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on in South Africa as one of the country's most beloved entertainers.
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Alex Bell (April 5, 1882 Cape Town-November 30, 1934 Chorlton-cum-Hardy) was a South African personality.
He was best known for being the father of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the first practical telephone. Alex Bell was himself an accomplished speech teacher and elocutionist, and he passed on his expertise to his son, who later used it in his experiments with sound transmission. Alex Bell also made significant contributions to the field of elocution and public speaking, and with his wife, Eliza Grace Symonds Bell, he co-wrote several books on the subject. In addition to his work as a teacher and author, Alex Bell was an active member of the deaf community and advocated for greater access to education and employment opportunities for the deaf.
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Dulcie September (August 20, 1935 South Africa-March 29, 1988) was a South African personality.
Dulcie September was an anti-apartheid activist and ANC representative who fought tirelessly against the oppressive apartheid regime of South Africa. She was forced into exile due to her political activism, and continued her work from Paris, France, where she was tragically assassinated in 1988. Her death sparked outrage and brought international attention to the ongoing struggle for South African freedom. Today, she is remembered as a hero and symbol of resistance against apartheid.
She died in assassination.
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Solomon Linda (April 5, 2015 KwaZulu-Natal-October 8, 1962 Soweto) a.k.a. Linda, Solomon was a South African composer.
He is best known for composing the song "Mbube", which later became a hit under the title "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in movies and commercials. Sadly, Linda did not receive proper credit or compensation for his composition and died in poverty. In 2004, his family was awarded a settlement from the music industry for the unauthorized use of his song. Despite the injustice he faced, Linda's impact on South African music continues to be recognized and celebrated.
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Sam Nolutshungu (April 15, 1945 South Africa-August 12, 1997) also known as Sam C. Nolutshungu was a South African personality.
He was a political scientist, writer, and commentator who was recognized for his contributions to the study of political systems and ideologies. He held numerous academic positions and lectured at universities throughout Africa, Europe, and the United States. Nolutshungu was also an active participant in the anti-apartheid movement and worked tirelessly to promote democracy and human rights in South Africa. His book, "South Africa's Resistance Press: Alternative Voices in the Last Generation Under Apartheid," is considered a seminal work on the struggle against apartheid. Nolutshungu's legacy continues to inspire academics, activists, and political leaders around the world.
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Madi Phala (February 2, 1955 South Africa-March 2, 2007 Langa, Cape Town) was a South African personality.
She became known for her tireless efforts to improve the lives of people in her community, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty, and unemployment. Phala was a social worker, community activist, and founder of the organization NOAH (Networking HIV/AIDS Community of South Africa), which aimed to provide care, support, and education for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. She also served on the Western Cape Provincial AIDS Council and was a member of the Treatment Action Campaign. In recognition of her work, Phala received numerous awards, including the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project Award and the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights. She passed away in 2007 but her legacy lives on through the continued work of NOAH and other organizations dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized communities in South Africa.
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Charles Catterall (October 16, 1914-November 1, 1966) was a South African personality.
He was a television presenter, actor, and musician. Catterall was known for his distinctive voice and charisma, which earned him a large following in South Africa. He hosted several popular TV shows, including "The Charles Catterall Show" and "Catterall's Corner." Catterall was also an accomplished musician and played several instruments, including the guitar, piano, and accordion. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, he was also involved in politics and was a member of the Liberal Party of South Africa. Catterall passed away at the age of 52 due to a heart attack. His legacy as a beloved entertainer in South Africa lives on to this day.
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Oloff Johannes Truter (August 7, 1829 Cape Town-August 29, 1881 Koblenz) was a South African personality.
Truter was a lawyer and politician who played an important role in the early history of the Cape Colony. He was a member of the Executive Council, and later the Legislative Council, where he was a vocal advocate for the rights of non-white citizens. Truter was also a writer and historian, and published several books on the history of South Africa. Despite his achievements, Truter's legacy has been overshadowed by his controversial views on race and colonialism, which some have described as outdated and insensitive by today's standards. Nevertheless, he remains an important figure in the history of South Africa, and his contributions to the intellectual and political discourse of his time have had a lasting impact on the country's development.
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Kate Molale (January 2, 1928-May 9, 1980) was a South African personality.
Kate Molale was a South African anti-apartheid political activist and member of the African National Congress (ANC). She played a vital role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa during the 1950s and 1960s. Molale was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal province of South Africa. She joined the ANC in 1952 and became a member of the ANC Youth League.
In 1955, Molale attended the Congress of the People in Kliptown, where the Freedom Charter was adopted. She was also the secretary of the Federation of South African Women in Rustenburg. Molale's activism led to her arrest in 1960, and she was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of conspiracy and sabotage against the South African government.
During her imprisonment, Kate Molale was brutally tortured by the apartheid regime for her political beliefs. In 1963, she was released and spent the rest of her life working as a teacher and community activist.
Molale was also a member of the South African Students' Organisation, through which she worked with Steve Biko, a prominent anti-apartheid activist. She remains a celebrated figure in the struggle against apartheid and her legacy continues to inspire young activists in South Africa today.
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Isabella Motadinyane (April 5, 1963 Soweto-April 5, 2015) was a South African personality.
She was best known as a television and radio presenter, as well as a motivational speaker. Motadinyane began her career as a presenter on South Africa's national broadcaster, SABC, where she hosted a range of popular programs over the years. She later joined Radio Metro and became one of its top presenters, hosting her own show.
Motadinyane was also a dedicated social activist and philanthropist, working to improve the lives of disadvantaged women and children in South Africa. Through her motivational speaking events and charity work, she inspired many and left a lasting impact on her community.
Despite her passing on her 52nd birthday, Isabella Motadinyane's legacy continues to inspire many in South Africa and beyond.
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James Henry Greathead (August 6, 1844 Grahamstown-October 21, 1896 Streatham) was a South African civil engineer, engineer and inventor.
He is best known for his work in the field of tunneling, having developed the Greathead Shield that was used during the construction of the London Underground. Greathead was also involved in the construction of a number of other tunnels, including the Tower Subway and the Blackwall Tunnel. He was recognized in his lifetime as an accomplished engineer, receiving awards such as the Royal Society’s Telford Medal and the Order of St. Anne from the Russian Empire. Despite his successes, Greathead faced financial challenges throughout his career and died in relative obscurity. However, his contributions to the field of tunneling have had a lasting impact on modern infrastructure and transportation.
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Zweli Mkhize (February 2, 1956 Pietermaritzburg-February 1, 2009) was a South African personality.
He was a prominent politician who served as the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs in the KwaZulu-Natal province from 2004 until his death in 2009. Mkhize was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and played an important role in the party's political activities. He was known for his dedication to promoting economic growth and development in South Africa, and he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans. Mkhize was widely respected for his integrity, honesty, and commitment to public service, and his untimely death was a great loss to the country.
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