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FACTBOX-Recent tragedies involving S.African entertainers

19 Oct 2007 11:11:56 GMT
Source: Reuters

Oct 19 - Gunmen have shot and killed South African reggae star Lucky Dube in front of his son and daughter in one of the highest-profile murders in the country, police said on Friday.

Following is a list of notable South African entertainers who have died in tragic circumstances since 2001:

MOSES MOLELEKWA - The jazz performer had almost wrapped up his third album when he was found hanged next to the body of his wife who had been strangled. He was 27 years-old when he died on Feb. 13, 2001.

TEBOGO MADINGOANE - Part of the afro pop group Mafikizolo, he was shot and killed in February 2004 after an altercation with another driver in Soweto township near Johannesburg. He was 32.

BRENDA FASSIE - Famously dubbed "The Madonna of the Townships", the vocalist went platinum and bagged a number of South African Music Awards, drawing a fan base as diverse as her music, including former South African president Nelson Mandela. Fassie, who had a well publicised history of drug abuse, died on May 9, 2004, after suffering a heart attack aged 39.

GITO BALOI - The jazz maestro, originally from Mozambique, gained fame as a member of the award-winning jazz group Tananas and released several popular solo albums. He was shot and killed in April 2004 after a local gig.

DEON VAN DER WALT - Operatic tenor, was found shot dead in November 2005. He was 47. One of the leading Mozart singers of his day, he was reportedly shot by his father after a row at the family's Veenwouden wine estate, about 60 km (38 miles) north of Cape Town. His father killed himself.

TSAKANI "TK" MHINGA - The sultry R&B singer grew up in the black township of Soweto where she enjoyed great fame, but failed to break through to international stardom before her death at age 27. Her body was found in a Johannesburg hotel room on Feb. 27, 2006. She apparently died of a drug overdose.

MOSES KHUMALO - After winning the Best Newcomer Award at the 2003 South Africa Music Awards, saxophonist Moses Khumalo -- or Moss as he was more popularly known -- was found hanged at his townhouse on Sept. 4, 2006.

TALIEP PETERSEN - Theatre icon Taliep Petersen, who produced some of the country's most successful musicals was shot dead on Dec 16, 2006, at his house outside Cape Town. Together with his artistic partner David Kramer, Petersen has since the 1980s produced a string of hit plays. His wife and two men were charged with his murder. The case is continuing.

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Last updated:Fri Oct 19 11:12:06 2007