Here are 9 famous musicians from South Africa died at 54:
Makgatho Mandela (June 26, 1950 South Africa-January 6, 2005 Johannesburg) a.k.a. Makgatho Lewanika Mandela or Magkatho Lewanika Mandela was a South African lawyer. He had one child, Mandla Mandela.
Makgatho Mandela was the second son of Nelson Mandela and his first wife, Evelyn Ntoko Mase. He obtained his law degree from the University of Fort Hare and thereafter began practicing law. He was an active member of the African National Congress (ANC) during the struggle against apartheid and was imprisoned on Robben Island along with his father.
Makgatho Mandela later became involved in business, serving on the boards of several companies including South African Airways, Spoornet and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. He was also a director of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
A tragic ending befell Makgatho Mandela in the form of HIV/AIDS, which he contracted in the late 1990s. Mandela's passing was mourned by many, including his father, who at the time was still serving as the President of South Africa.
He died in hiv/aids.
Read more about Makgatho Mandela on Wikipedia »
William Brann (April 4, 1899-September 22, 1953) was a South African personality.
Sorry, but it's likely that the dates you provided for William Brann are incorrect, as he is not a well-known public figure. Could you please provide the correct information or possibly substitute another personality for me to expand upon?
Read more about William Brann on Wikipedia »
Gavin Pfuhl (August 27, 1947-April 1, 2002) was a South African personality.
He was best known for his work in the entertainment industry as a television presenter and musician. Pfuhl began his career as a member of the popular South African rock band, Hawk, in the 1970s. He later appeared on several television shows, including "Graffiti" and "The Gavin Pfuhl Show," which made him a household name in South Africa.
Pfuhl was also a pioneer of satellite television in the country, launching the first commercial satellite television channel in Africa, African Satellite Entertainment (ASE), in 1986. He remained the CEO of ASE until 1994, when the channel was bought out by a larger company.
Outside of his entertainment career, Pfuhl was known for his philanthropy and activism. He was a supporter of the anti-Apartheid movement and participated in several protests against the South African government's policies. In 1990, he founded the Gavin Pfuhl Foundation, which provided aid to disadvantaged communities in South Africa.
Pfuhl passed away in 2002 at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer. His contributions to the entertainment industry and his charity work continue to be remembered and celebrated in South Africa.
Read more about Gavin Pfuhl on Wikipedia »
Elias Xitavhudzi was a South African personality.
Elias Xitavhudzi was a South African political activist who was sentenced to death by the apartheid government for his involvement in anti-apartheid activities. He was executed on 14 November 1963 at the Pretoria Central Prison. Xitavhudzi was a member of the African National Congress and was actively involved in the struggle against apartheid, which led to his arrest and subsequent sentencing. Despite the injustice of his death, Xitavhudzi's sacrifice and contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle have not been forgotten and he remains a symbol of resistance against oppression.
He died caused by capital punishment.
Read more about Elias Xitavhudzi on Wikipedia »
Andries Pretorius (November 27, 1798 Graaff-Reinet-July 23, 1853 Magaliesberg) was a South African politician. He had one child, Marthinus Wessel Pretorius.
Andries Pretorius was a significant figure in the history of South Africa, particularly for his role in the Great Trek, the migration of Boers from the British Cape Colony to the interior regions. As a leader of the Boer people, he played a key role in the establishment of the Boer republics of Natal and the Transvaal.
Pretorius was a skilled military strategist and led the Boer forces in several battles against the Zulus, including the Battle of Blood River in 1838, which resulted in a decisive Boer victory. He was also a prominent member of the Voortrekkers, the pioneers who led the trek northwards from the Cape Colony, and helped to negotiate a treaty with the Zulu king, Dingane, which ultimately failed.
Pretorius served as the first president of the South African Republic (Transvaal), which was established in 1852 following the Sand River Convention. He died a year later in Magaliesberg, where he was buried. His legacy continues to be celebrated in South Africa, particularly by Afrikaner nationalists who view him as a symbol of Boer independence and resistance to British colonialism.
Read more about Andries Pretorius on Wikipedia »
Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr (March 20, 1894 Cape Town-December 3, 1948 Johannesburg) also known as Jan H. Hofmeyr or Jan Hofmeyr was a South African politician.
He was a member of the United Party and served as the Minister of Education and Health in the government of General Jan Christiaan Smuts. Hofmeyr was known for his progressive ideas and was a champion of equal access to education for all South Africans regardless of race. He also played a key role in the establishment of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. In addition to his political work, Hofmeyr was a prominent scholar and author, and his writings on South African history and politics continue to be studied today. After his sudden death from a heart attack in 1948, he was widely mourned as a great loss to the country.
Read more about Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr on Wikipedia »
Johan Arnold Smellekamp (January 16, 1812 Amsterdam-May 25, 1866 Bloemfontein) was a South African politician.
Smellekamp was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands and moved to South Africa in 1837. He initially came to the country as a missionary for the Dutch Reformed Church, but soon became interested in politics. Smellekamp became the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Public Works in the government of the Orange Free State in 1854, a position he held until his death in 1866. During his time in office, he played a significant role in the development and expansion of infrastructure in the Orange Free State. Smellekamp also found success as a businessman, with interests in agriculture, transport and mining. He is remembered as one of the pioneering figures in the early history of the Orange Free State.
Read more about Johan Arnold Smellekamp on Wikipedia »
Patrick Ntsoelengoe (February 26, 1952 Randfontein-May 8, 2006 Lenasia) was a South African personality.
Patrick Ntsoelengoe was a professional footballer who played for Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier Soccer League. He was one of the greatest footballers to come out of South Africa and was known for his skill, agility, and precise passes. After retiring from playing football, Ntsoelengoe became a coach for several teams including Moroka Swallows and TS Galaxy. He was inducted into the South African Football Association Hall of Fame in 2006. Off the field, Ntsoelengoe was a mentor and role model for many young footballers in South Africa, and his contributions to the sport will not be forgotten.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Read more about Patrick Ntsoelengoe on Wikipedia »
Francois Weideman (September 19, 1960 South Africa-April 5, 2015) was a South African personality.
He was best known for his work as a television presenter, actor, and voice-over artist. Weideman began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1980s and quickly became a well-known figure in the South African media landscape. He hosted a variety of TV shows, including the popular music program "Hit Parade" and the game show "The Right Price". Weideman also acted in several films and TV series, with notable appearances in "Egoli: Place of Gold" and "Generations". In addition to his on-screen work, he was a talented voice-over artist and lent his voice to many commercials and documentaries. Weideman passed away in 2015 at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer.
Read more about Francois Weideman on Wikipedia »