Pretoria:Peace Mabe, Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, will visit the Mlangeni family on Wednesday to express her condolences following the death of renowned South African musician Bernard 'Babsy' Mlangeni.
According to South African Government News Agency, this visit is part of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture's dedication to honoring and supporting artists and cultural practitioners in South Africa, particularly those who have significantly influenced the nation's cultural history.
Mabe emphasized that the visit is a moment to stand with the Mlangeni family in their time of sorrow and to pay tribute to a cultural icon whose work remains embedded in the collective memory of South Africans. Mlangeni passed away at the age of 83 after a short illness.
Babsy Mlangeni was a distinguished singer, guitarist, and composer whose career spanned nearly six decades. His unique voice and music resonated with a broad audience across generations, languages, and communities, establishing him as a pivotal figure in South Africa's musical heritage.
His contributions were acknowledged through the department's Living Legends initiatives, and in 2025, he was honored with the Artist Living With Disability Award at the National Arts and Culture Awards.
The Deputy Minister's visit will also serve to convey the department's profound condolences to the Mlangeni family and to discuss the significance of preserving and celebrating the work of South Africa's cultural icons.
The department extended its ongoing condolences to the Mlangeni family, friends, fellow musicians, the creative community, and all South Africans mourning the loss of this music legend, wishing them strength and comfort during this difficult time.