South African musician Jabu Khanyile died in the Johannesburg Hospital on Sunday morning.
Fellow musician and music producer Chicco Twala confirmed that Khanyile died shortly after midnight.
The Star newspaper reported that Khanyile had been undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer and that he had diabetes.
Khanyile began his music career in Soweto at a very young age. He played with different bands for a decade before joining Bayete, first as a drummer and then as the band’s lead vocalist, South African Broadcasting Corporation radio news reported.
His success with Bayete won him a Kora award in 1996 for best South African artist. He was a charismatic man, known for his flamboyant dress sense and dedication to pan-Africanism. Khanyile was a passionate promoter of African music in the international market. He performed with such big names as Angelique Kidjo, Papa Wemba and Youssou N’Dour.
”The last three years have been sad years for the South African music industry with the likes of Lebo Mathosa, Tsakane ‘TK’ Mhinga, Moses Khumalo and Brenda Fassie all passing away,” said Twala.
A memorial service for Khanyile will be held on Wednesday and his funeral has been scheduled for Friday. — Sapa