South African musicians died when they were 70
Here are 19 famous musicians from South Africa died at 70:
Stanley Cohen
Stanley Cohen (February 23, 1942 Johannesburg-January 7, 2013) was a South African personality.
Stanley Cohen was a renowned businessman who made significant contributions to the field of gaming and entertainment. He started his career in the United Kingdom, where he founded a company that specialized in importing and distributing arcade games. Later on, he moved to the United States and became the CEO of a major gaming company that produced popular games such as Space Invaders and Pac-Man.
Cohen was also a philanthropist and supported causes related to child welfare and education. He served on the board of several non-profit organizations and donated generously to charities. Additionally, he was an avid art collector and owned an extensive collection of contemporary art.
Despite his success, Cohen faced several challenges in his personal life. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in his later years and battled the condition for several years before his death. Nonetheless, he remained an inspiration to many and was remembered for his contributions to the gaming industry and his philanthropic efforts.
He died caused by parkinson's disease.
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Dudley Nourse
Dudley Nourse (November 12, 1910 Durban-August 14, 1981) was a South African personality.
He was a prominent cricketer who played for the South African national team from the 1930s to the 1950s. Nourse was known for his consistent batting and finished his career with a remarkable average of 53.81 in Test cricket. He also captained the team in six Test matches. Outside of cricket, Nourse was a successful businessman and co-founded a construction company in Durban. He was also actively involved in philanthropy and community development initiatives, particularly in the field of education. Nourse was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017.
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Sarel Cilliers
Sarel Cilliers (September 7, 1801 Paarl-October 4, 1871 Lindley, Free State) was a South African preacher, councillor and elder.
He is best known for his role in the Great Trek of the Boer people during the mid-19th century, which saw thousands of Boers migrate from the Cape Colony to the interior in search of new land and greater independence. Cilliers was a key figure during this turbulent period, and played a leading role in shaping the political and social landscape of the emerging Boer republics. He served as a member of the first Volksraad (people's council) in the Natalia Republic, and was later involved in the establishment of the independent republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (Transvaal). Cilliers was widely respected for his intellect, leadership skills, and deep religious convictions, and is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of the Afrikaner people.
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Headley Keith
Headley Keith (October 25, 1927-November 17, 1997) was a South African personality.
He was born in Cape Town, South Africa and started his career as a radio presenter in the early 1950s. He gained popularity as the host of the South African version of the game show "Twenty-One" in the 1960s. Keith was also known for his work as a journalist, and he co-founded the South African newspaper "The Weekend World". He was an outspoken critic of apartheid and used his platform as a broadcaster and journalist to speak out against the injustices of the system. In the 1980s, he retired from broadcasting and became involved in politics, serving as a member of parliament for the Democratic Party. Keith passed away in Cape Town in 1997 at the age of 70. Despite his passing, he remains a significant figure in the history of South African media and politics.
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Ernest Glanville
Ernest Glanville (May 5, 1855 South Africa-September 6, 1925) was a South African writer.
He spent his childhood in South Africa and later travelled to England, where he studied at the University of Oxford. After his studies, he returned to South Africa and worked as a journalist for various newspapers.
Glanville was a prolific writer and published numerous books, including adventure stories, detective fiction, and travelogues. He is perhaps best known for his novel "The Lost Regiment," which was inspired by his experiences as a soldier during the Anglo-Zulu War.
In addition to his writing, Glanville was an avid sportsman and is credited with introducing the game of polo to South Africa. He was also involved in politics and served as a member of the Cape Colonial Parliament.
Despite his accomplishments, Glanville's work is not widely read today, and he is often referred to as a forgotten author of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Gerald Hartigan
Gerald Hartigan (December 30, 1884-January 7, 1955) was a South African personality.
He was best known for his work as a journalist and editor. Hartigan worked for various South African publications, including The Diamond Fields Advertiser and The Cape Times. He was also a correspondent for the London Daily News during World War I.
In addition to his journalistic work, Hartigan was also an accomplished author. He published several books on South African history and politics, including "The Boer War: Its Causes, and Its Interest to Canadians," and "The Empire in Africa: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan."
Hartigan was active in politics, advocating for self-rule for South Africa and opposing apartheid. He also served as the mayor of Kimberley from 1937-1938.
Despite his activism, Hartigan faced criticism for his support of the British Empire and his opposition to the South African independence movement. He died in 1955, at the age of 70.
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Dan Taylor
Dan Taylor (January 9, 1887-January 24, 1957) was a South African personality.
He was a pioneering aviator who played a crucial role in the establishment of civil aviation in South Africa. Taylor started his career as a mechanic in the South African Air Force and later became the chief flying instructor at the Johannesburg Technical College. He then worked as a test pilot for the aircraft manufacturers De Havilland and Miles Aircraft. During World War II, he served as a test pilot for the British Royal Air Force.
In addition to his aviation career, Dan Taylor was also a talented sportsman. He represented South Africa in both cricket and rugby and was heralded as one of the country's most versatile sportsmen. Taylor was also an accomplished musician and wrote a number of popular songs, including "When it's Springtime in the Rockies".
After his retirement from aviation, Taylor remained involved in the industry as a consultant and advisor. He passed away on January 24, 1957, but left behind a lasting legacy in South African aviation history.
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Charlie Frank
Charlie Frank (April 5, 1891-April 5, 1961) was a South African personality.
Charlie Frank was a renowned cricketer and impresario who was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He began playing cricket at the age of seven and quickly developed a talent for the sport. In 1912, he earned a place on the Western Province cricket team, and later played for South Africa in several international matches.
After retiring from cricket, Frank turned his attention to the entertainment industry, becoming a successful producer and theater owner. He founded the Maynardville Open Air Theatre, which quickly became a popular destination for theater enthusiasts in Cape Town.
Frank was also known for his philanthropic work, and was a staunch advocate for the rights of black South Africans during the apartheid era. He was awarded the Order of Meritorious Service by the South African government in recognition of his contributions to the arts and his efforts to promote racial equality.
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Tiger Lance
Tiger Lance (June 6, 1940 Pretoria-November 10, 2010) was a South African personality.
He is best known for his work as a journalist, television presenter, and game show host. Lance was one of the most popular figures in South African television in the 1980s and 1990s, hosting several successful game shows, including "The Thousand Rand Minute" and "Hold Tight".
In addition to his work in television, Lance was also a respected journalist, working for several newspapers and magazines in South Africa throughout his career. He received multiple awards for his contributions to South African media, and was known for his fearless and uncompromising reporting on political and social issues in the country.
Outside of his professional work, Lance was also heavily involved in charity work, particularly in support of HIV/AIDS causes. He was a dedicated advocate for HIV/AIDS education and prevention in South Africa, and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the disease and reduce stigma associated with it.
Lance passed away in 2010 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved and respected figures in the history of South African media.
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D. J. Opperman
D. J. Opperman (September 29, 1914 Natal Province-September 22, 1985) also known as D.J. Opperman was a South African personality.
He was a prominent poet and critic, widely respected for his contributions to Afrikaans literature. Opperman initially studied law and worked as a lawyer, but his true passion was always literature. He published his first poetry collection, Komas uit 'n bamboesstok, in 1939 and went on to win numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hertzog Prize four times.
Opperman was known for his use of traditional Afrikaans forms and themes, though he also experimented with modernist techniques. He was a prolific writer, producing poetry, essays, and plays over the course of his life. Opperman was also an influential critic, writing reviews and essays that helped shape the direction of Afrikaans literature in the mid-20th century.
Despite his successes, Opperman's personal life was marked by tragedy. He suffered from depression and alcoholism, and his first wife died young. Opperman was married three times and had several children. He died in 1985 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important figures in Afrikaans literature.
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Wolfgang Heidenfeld
Wolfgang Heidenfeld (May 29, 1911 Berlin-August 3, 1981 Ulm) was a South African writer.
He was known for his contributions to the field of chess, having been awarded the title International Master by FIDE in 1950. Heidenfeld was also a prolific author, having written numerous books and articles on chess, as well as on other subjects such as politics and philosophy. He moved to South Africa in 1948 and became one of the country's strongest chess players. He won the South African Chess Championship four times and was a regular member of the national team. Heidenfeld later became involved in political activism against apartheid and was banned from playing chess in South Africa. In 1963, he moved to Ireland, where he continued to write and play chess. He died in 1981 while playing a chess tournament in Ulm, Germany. Today, he is remembered as one of South Africa's greatest chess players and an important advocate for human rights.
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David Gill
David Gill (June 12, 1843 Aberdeen-January 24, 1914 London) was a South African astronomer.
He is best known for his pioneering work in astrophotography and his discovery of numerous asteroids. Gill completed his education at the University of Aberdeen before embarking on a successful career in astronomy. In 1877, he was appointed as Her Majesty's astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope, where he established himself as a prominent figure in the astronomical community. His research focused on the precise measurement of star positions and the parallax of nearby stars, which led to a more accurate determination of the distance between the Earth and the Sun. Gill also developed many innovative techniques for astrophotography, including the use of a spectrograph to record the spectra of stars. His work enabled astronomers to study the composition and motion of stars in greater detail. In recognition of his contributions to astronomy, Gill was knighted in 1900 and received numerous awards and honours.
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Robert Kirby
Robert Kirby (April 26, 1936 Durban-February 10, 2007 Cape Town) was a South African author, pianist, pilot, journalist, satirist, playwright, comedian, novelist and musician.
Born in Durban, South Africa in 1936, Robert Kirby was known for his multitalented personality. He studied journalism at Rhodes University before starting his career as a journalist for The Daily News. However, his love for music led him to become a pianist, where he played in nightclubs and hotels in South Africa and abroad.
In addition to his musical talents, Kirby was also a passionate pilot, having obtained his pilot's license in his early twenties. He even flew helicopters during the South African Border War.
Kirby's humor and satire were widely appreciated by his readers and audience. He wrote several plays, novels, and books, including the popular "The South African Way of Life" and "A Renegade Called Simphiwe". Kirby's work was often politically charged and he used his platform to make satirical comments on the South African government during the Apartheid era.
Robert Kirby passed away in Cape Town in 2007, leaving behind a legacy as a multi-talented and beloved figure in South African arts and culture.
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F. S. Malan
F. S. Malan (March 12, 1871 South Africa-December 31, 1941) was a South African politician.
He was the founder of the political party known as the National Party of South Africa, which became the governing party of South Africa from 1948 until 1994. Malan was initially a member of the South African Party but eventually broke away to establish the National Party, which advocated for the interests of Afrikaners and the policy of apartheid. As South Africa's Prime Minister from 1948 to 1954, Malan introduced a number of policies that enforced racial segregation and discrimination, including the Population Registration Act, the Group Areas Act, and the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act. His legacy in South Africa remains controversial, with some viewing him as a hero and others as a symbol of the injustices of apartheid.
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Zach de Beer
Zach de Beer (October 11, 1928 South Africa-May 27, 1999) was a South African personality.
He was a journalist, political commentator, and anti-apartheid activist. de Beer began his career as a journalist in the 1950s and became well-known for his reporting on South African politics and the anti-apartheid movement. He was a founder member of the Progressive Party and served as a Member of Parliament in the 1970s. He was also a political commentator on radio and television, and his weekly show "The Week in South Africa" was widely watched. Despite facing harassment and threats from the apartheid government, de Beer continued to be an outspoken critic of the regime and advocate for racial equality. He was awarded the Order of Meritorious Service by former president Nelson Mandela in recognition of his contribution to the struggle against apartheid.
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John Fairbairn
John Fairbairn (April 9, 1794 Roxburghshire-October 5, 1864 Cape Town) was a South African financier, teacher and politician.
He was born in Scotland and arrived in Cape Town in 1820 as part of the Settler community. He became known for his business acumen and established a number of successful ventures, including a printing press and a bookshop. Fairbairn was also passionate about education and played a key role in the founding of the South African College (now the University of Cape Town). In addition, he served as a member of the Cape Colony's legislative council and was an advocate for the expansion of the colony's infrastructure and economy. Fairbairn's legacy continues to be felt in South Africa today, as he is considered a leading figure in the country's early history.
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Robert Fowler
Robert Fowler (December 5, 1931 Krugersdorp-December 27, 2001 Johannesburg) otherwise known as Robert Gerald Fowler was a South African athlete.
He became famous for his prowess in the 400-meter hurdles event, where he represented South Africa at various international competitions, including the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics, where he won a silver medal.
Fowler began his athletic career whilst still in school, and it wasn't long before he established himself as one of South Africa's most talented athletes. In addition to his Olympic medal, Fowler also won gold medals at the British Empire Games and the South African championships.
After retiring from athletics, Fowler focused on coaching and sports administration. He held several positions, including serving as the president of Athletics South Africa.
Fowler's contributions to athletics in South Africa have been lauded, and he was posthumously inducted into the South African Sports Hall of Fame.
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Colin Cockcroft
Colin Cockcroft (October 4, 1917 Dordrecht-December 5, 1987) a.k.a. Colin Royden Cockcroft was a South African surgeon, physician and professor.
Cockcroft was known for his extensive research in the field of lung function, particularly his work on the measurement of airway resistance and the use of spirometry. He spent much of his career at the University of Cape Town, where he was appointed Professor of Medicine in 1961 and later Head of the Department of Medicine. Cockcroft also served on several national and international medical committees and was recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to the field of medicine. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Cockcroft was an avid collector of art and was known for his philanthropic work in the arts community. He passed away in 1987 at the age of 70.
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J. L. B. Smith
J. L. B. Smith (October 26, 1897 Graaff-Reinet-January 7, 1968) also known as J. L. B. Smith or J.L.B. Smith was a South African scientist.
J.L.B. Smith is most famous for his discovery of the coelacanth, a prehistoric fish that was thought to be extinct for millions of years. His discovery in 1938 shocked the scientific community and is considered to be one of the greatest zoological discoveries of the 20th century. Smith studied at Rhodes University and later obtained his PhD from the University of Stellenbosch. In addition to his work on the coelacanth, he also published research on a variety of other fish species. Smith was a professor of ichthyology at Rhodes University and served as the director of the J. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology in Grahamstown, South Africa. In recognition of his contributions to science, he was awarded the Order of Meritorious Service by the South African government in 1956.
He died caused by suicide.
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