Here are 8 famous musicians from South Africa died at 57:
Ruth First (May 4, 1925 South Africa-August 17, 1982 Mozambique) was a South African politician. She had two children, Robyn Slovo and Shawn Slovo.
Ruth First was a anti-apartheid activist and a journalist. She co-founded the radical newspaper, The Guardian, which was aimed at exposing the injustice and brutality of the apartheid regime. She was a prominent member of the South African Communist Party and was arrested several times for her political activities. In 1963, she was arrested and imprisoned for five months and later went into exile in the UK. In 1978, she moved to Mozambique where she worked as a lecturer and researcher. On August 17, 1982, she was killed by a letter bomb that had been sent to her by South African security forces. Her assassination sparked international outrage and brought attention to the brutality of the apartheid regime.
She died in assassination.
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Piet Retief (November 12, 1780 Wellington-February 6, 1838 uMgungundlovu) was a South African personality.
He was a leader of the Voortrekkers, a group of Dutch-speaking colonists who migrated from the Cape Colony into the interior of modern-day South Africa from the 1830s onwards. Retief is best known for negotiating with the Zulu king Dingane in order to obtain land for the Voortrekkers in Natal. However, Dingane ultimately betrayed Retief and his party, leading to the massacre of Retief and his men at uMgungundlovu. Retief's death was a major event in the broader context of the Voortrekker movement and the history of South Africa as a whole. Today, Retief is remembered as a key figure in the early history of the country, and several towns and monuments have been named in his honor.
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Louis Tancred (October 7, 1876-July 28, 1934) was a South African personality.
He was a prominent journalist, writer, and historian, who contributed significantly to the development of Afrikaans literature. Tancred was born in the former Cape Colony and spent most of his formative years in the Eastern Cape region. He worked as a journalist for several newspapers before becoming the editor of the Cape Times in 1910. During his time at the Cape Times, he used his platform to advocate for the rights of South African farmers and workers.
Tancred was also an accomplished writer and historian, and he authored several books on South African history, including a biography of former South African President, Paul Kruger. His literary contributions were recognized when he was awarded the Hertzog Prize, the highest accolade for Afrikaans literature in South Africa.
Apart from his literary contributions, Tancred was also involved in politics and served as a member of the Cape Parliament from 1915 to 1920. He was a member of the South African Party and was known for his opposition to the racial segregation policies of the government.
Louis Tancred died in 1934 in Paarl, South Africa, leaving a rich legacy as a writer, historian, journalist, and politician.
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Sophy Gray (January 5, 1814-April 27, 1871) was a South African personality.
Sophy Gray was a South African personality known for her contributions to the Anglican Church. She was the wife of Robert Gray, the first Bishop of Cape Town, and played a significant role in supporting his work in establishing the Church in South Africa. She was also actively involved in charity work and worked towards improving the status of women in society. Sophy was a gifted musician and artist, and her talents were reflected in the design of many of the stained glass windows for which the Cape Town Cathedral is renowned. Her legacy lives on through the many organizations and causes she helped to establish and support during her lifetime.
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Barry Streek (August 30, 1948 Port Elizabeth-July 21, 2006 Cape Town) was a South African journalist.
Barry Streek was known for his outspoken and fearless approach in reporting on the political climate of South Africa during the apartheid era. He started his career as a journalist in the 1970s, working for various newspapers including the Cape Times and the Sunday Times. Streek was a critical voice against the apartheid government and dared to expose their wrongdoings through his journalism.
In 1985, Streek was arrested and detained without trial for six months under the State of Emergency regulations. Despite the risks to his safety and freedom, he continued to report on the political situation in South Africa, and was a champion of press freedom and free speech.
After the end of apartheid, Streek remained an influential figure in South African journalism, and was a columnist for several newspapers, including the Cape Argus and the Cape Times. His writing was known for its wit, intelligence, and sharp social and political commentary.
Barry Streek's legacy continues to inspire journalists and writers in South Africa and beyond, reminding us of the importance of a free and independent press in holding power to account and promoting democracy.
He died caused by cancer.
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Tinus de Jongh (January 31, 1885 Netherlands-July 17, 1942) was a South African personality.
Tinus de Jongh was a renowned landscape and portrait artist, who played a significant role in shaping the South African art scene in the early twentieth century. Born in the Netherlands, de Jongh immigrated to South Africa with his parents when he was just a baby. He spent most of his life in Cape Town, where he established himself as a prominent artist.
De Jongh's artistic style was characterized by his ability to capture the essence of the Cape's landscapes, often depicting the mountains, vineyards, and beaches of the Western Cape. He was also known for his portraits of indigenous people and his representations of life in the Cape's small fishing villages.
Throughout his career, de Jongh received numerous accolades, including the prestigious South African Academy Medal in 1936. His works continue to be highly sought after, and can be found in galleries and private collections around the world.
He died as a result of lung cancer.
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Enos John Mabuza (June 6, 1939 Barberton-April 5, 1997) was a South African politician.
He was a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC) and played an important role in the struggle against apartheid. Mabuza was also a member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) before joining the ANC in 1962. He spent time in prison for his political activities and was released in 1972. After his release, he continued to work tirelessly for the ANC and was instrumental in rebuilding the organization after it was banned by the South African government in 1960. Mabuza served as the ANC's regional chairman in the Eastern Transvaal and was elected to the provincial executive council of the ANC in 1990. He was also a member of the South African parliament from 1994 until his death in 1997. Mabuza was known for his commitment to social justice and his dedication to the struggle for freedom in South Africa.
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Johannes Meintjes (May 19, 1923 Riversdale-July 7, 1980 Molteno, Eastern Cape) a.k.a. Johannes Petrus Meintjes was a South African artist, author, historian, sculptor and visual artist.
Born in the small town of Riversdale, South Africa, Johannes Meintjes became one of the country's most celebrated artists and authors. Meintjes studied art at the University of Pretoria and later earned a teaching diploma, teaching art for several years before turning to writing and sculpture full-time.
His earliest works were sculptures focused on African wildlife, which have been displayed in major galleries and museums around the world. He went on to publish several autobiographical works, including the highly acclaimed 'A Way of Life', which chronicled his early life growing up in rural South Africa.
Meintjes also wrote extensively on South African history, and his book 'The Voortrekkers: Story of the Great Trek' is considered a classic work on the subject. He was known for his use of vivid language and ability to bring history to life, winning widespread critical acclaim for his work.
His art and writing often focused on the South African landscape and its people, portraying the complex history and social issues of the region. Meintjes' legacy as an artist and writer lives on, with his works continuing to inspire and educate readers and viewers around the world.
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