Cape Town – South African music veteran Babsy Mlangeni has died at the age of 83 after a short illness.
Mlangeni, whose career spanned almost six decades, was known for his distinctive voice and songs including Sala Emma, Bua Nnete, Botsotso, Lonely Man and Umadlembathini.
Born Bernard Mlangeni in Soweto in 1943, he developed his musical skills at the Athlone School for the Blind in Cape Town, where he learned to play the guitar.
He went on to build a career as a singer, guitarist and composer, recording music in isiZulu, Sesotho and isiXhosa.
Mlangeni’s career began in the 1960s and he became a prominent voice in South African music, despite the barriers faced by blind musicians at the time. His song Bua Nnete was later included in South Africa’s Grade 10–12 music curriculum.
In a 2025 interview with 702, Mlangeni reflected on the challenges he faced growing up without sight and the determination that helped him build his career.
“People actually thought blind people are just there to beg … but I have proved them wrong.”
He also credited his parents for supporting him and encouraging him to pursue his ambitions.
His contribution to the music industry was recognised in 2017 when he received a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also recognised at the 2025 National Arts and Culture Awards with an Artist Living With Disability Award.
WATCH | South African music veteran Babsy Mlangeni has died at the age of 83 following a short illness pic.twitter.com/o8fiWQGVyN
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 2, 2026
Mlangeni also helped nurture younger musicians. Among those he mentored was fellow visually impaired musician Steve Kekana, who later became known for hits including Take Your Love.
Speaking about his music during the 2025 interview, Mlangeni said he believed he had been given a talent to create music that carried a message.
“I was lucky that I had the God-given talent to be able to write quality music, and music with a message to South Africans at large.”
His death marks the end of a career that connected generations of South African music lovers through songs that crossed language and cultural boundaries.
Mlangeni leaves behind a catalogue that remains part of the country’s musical heritage.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
