BAYETE NKOSI Jabu Khanyile
We don’t want Represent to become an obituary column but it is a sad day when we lose two of our musical greats within a few weeks and the death of Jabu Khanyile is one that cannot go unpublished. Jabu Khanyile has always been one of Editorista’s favourite African musicians – her good friend Pamela Nkosi worked closely with his band Bayete in the late 90’s and so Edi spent lots of time at concert…
s and hanging with the band. He was also one of the first public figures we knew of with two wives which was interesting to observe.
Sadly Jabu Khanyile passed away this weekend after suffering from cancer and diabetes at his home in Soweto. The saddest part about this is that we only find out about his illness once he is gone (unless we missed previous press on this). Jabu was a magnetic and powerful live performer and his music is enjoyed by people all over the world, with many world music lovers including him in their Top 10 list of world musicians. Jabu you will be missed but your music will keep your talent and messages alive. Our condolences to all the fans, friends and family during this difficult time.
Click here for the full story from IOL:
The death of Kora Award winning singer and songwriter Jabu Khanyile has shattered the local music industry.
Khanyile, 49, died at his Dobsonville, Soweto, home on Saturday night after losing a battle to prostate cancer. It is only two weeks since singer Lebo Mathosa died.
Lindelani Mkhize, of LME Entertainment, the record company that worked with Khanyile said he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and had been undergoing radiation therapy for the past five months. He also suffered from diabetes.
Mkhize said Khanyile’s last performance was in July in Germany during the World Cup handover. According to Mkhize the singer died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Khanyile was married to Phindy Dlamini and Khululiwe Sithole and had seven children.
At the time of his death, Khanyile was working on a new album through which, Mkhize said, he had hoped to educate men about cancer.
Khanyile was born in Mofolo, Soweto. At the age of 14, he joined a group called The Daffodils as a guitarist. He shot to fame in the 80s as the leading vocalist of the Afro-fusion band, Bayete, whose hits include Mbube and Mbombela. After he went solo he released a total of eight albums, the first being Mmalo-We in 1993.
“Why are we losing our musicians like this? It is terrible,” was Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s reaction.
Singer Ringo Madlingozi said the country had lost a pioneer, saying: “I will miss him for his Africanist stance.”
Khanyile’s memorial service will be held on Wednesday in Joburg and he will be buried on Friday.
PIC borrowed from One World – click here to purchase Jabu’s cd’s and dvd’s online from One World.
