South African musician Jabu Khanyile (47) died in a Johannesburg hospital on Sunday November 12.
Fellow musician and music producer Chicco Twala confirmed that Khanyile died shortly after midnight.
”All I know is that he died from sugar diabetes,” said Twala.
Official confirmation of the cause of Khanyile’s death could not be obtained.
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 (SABC) radio news reported.
His success with Bayete won him the 1996 Kora Award for being the best South African artist.
He was a charismatic man, known for his flamboyant dress sense and dedication to pan-Africanism.
His trademark was the royal East African fly whisk he always carried and his colorful Maasai costume and headband, media reports said.
Khanyile was a passionate promoter of African music and musicians in the international market. He performed with such big names as Angelique Kidjo, Papa Wemba and Youssou N’Dour, the SABC reported.
Khanyile’s death, two weeks after that of another prominent South African musician, Lebo Mathosa, who died in a car accident, marks a ”sad time” for South African music, said Twala.
”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.” — Sapa