RIP Babsy Mlangeni: Musician’s cause of death revealed

South African musician Babsy Mlangeni’s cause of death has been revealed after he passed away on Thursday 1 October.

BABSY MLANGENI’S CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED

South African singer, guitarist and composer Babsy Mlangeni died at the age of 83 on Thursday night (1 October). According to reports, Mlangeni was battling lung problems for years. The musician was reportedly admitted to hospital earlier in the week last week after experiencing breathing problems and being placed on oxygen.

He was at Netcare in Mulbarton. The musician reportedly had a heart attack on Tuesday and was placed on life support since.

Mlangeni leaves behind his wife Emma whom he married in 1968. He also leaves behind his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

WHO WAS BABSY MLANGENI?

• He was born as Bernard Mlangeni in Orlando East, Soweto, in 1943.

• Mlangeni lost his sight as a child. He went on to attend the Athlone School for the Blind in Bellville, Western Cape, where he learned to play the guitar. That instrument carried him through a career spanning nearly six decades, at a time when visually impaired musicians faced significant barriers.

• In 1962 he became a founding member of the All-Rounders. Their 1967 debut album,

  Coming Home

  , helped define a sound later known as South African soul. He then built a household name as a solo artist, with hits including

  Sala Emma

  ,

  Bua Nnete

  ,

  Botsotso

  ,

  Umadlembathini

  and

  Special Angel

  .

  Sala Emma

  , reportedly inspired by his wife, became a South African classic. His music crossed language lines, with songs in isiZulu, isiXhosa and Setswana.

• He received a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, and another Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Arts and Culture Awards in 2025.

Mlangeni will be remembered for his contribution to South African music. Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said Mlangeni’s music is part of South Africa’s musical heritage.

“Through his distinctive voice, guitar and songwriting, he sang about love, longing, ordinary life and the times through which South Africans were living. His music travelled across generations, languages and communities, becoming part of the soundtrack of lives that were being lived, loved and remembered,” said Sibisi.