List of South African Music Icons Who Have Died in 2018

They year 2018 has been a rather strange and difficult year for South Africa as a country. Just this year, South Africa has mourned the loss of three music icons. The latest of the deaths in South Africa’s music industry is rapper, Jabulani Tsambo aka Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) who died yesterday. HHP was found dead on his bedroom floor under unclear circumstances.

The news of his death was announced by his wife who said, “It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that Jabulani Tsambo, known to his fans as Hip Hop Pantsula passed away today, Wednesday, 24 October 2018.”

Due to his battle with depression, there have been speculations that the rapper may have committed suicide. The family spokesperson alluded to the fact that an autopsy is being conducted to reveal the cause of his death and said that they would wait for the postmortem results before giving information.

On 8th August 2018, yet another rapper, Linda Mkhize AKA ProKid took his final bow.  Pro’s death was announced in a statement issued by his family.

The statement read, “The legendary SA hip-hop artist affectionately known as ProKid … passed away on Wednesday. He suffered a severe seizure attack while visiting friends and paramedics were called in to assist. They did their best to revive him to no avail and called his time of death at 8.38pm.”

According to Pro’s close friend Zakwe, Pro was going through a depression of some sort before he succumbed to the seizure.

Interestingly, when Pro passed on, HHP put up a post on his Instagram paying tribute to the fallen hip hop soldier.

View this post on Instagram

…After saying Amen, it hit me; we’ve truly lost ONE. I’m fortunate to have spent a couple of days with him this year and even shared three HOT studio sessions with the Prophet. Pro was a phenomenal human doing. Always observant to the things you don’t say & ready to bring a suggestion and solution to a doubt or fear. I’m trying my best to remember one thing I can remember him saying to me that stuck; all I remember is “Hlanganisa Boy; s’sebenze…” By Our Lord (Jesus) Yeshua’s Grace & kind mercy, we got it in 3 more times for the game. My sincerest condolences, prayers and comfort to bakaMkhize during this cold hour. Modimo ale apese Kobo ya Kgomotso. REST IN PEACE NjaYam’ 😢💔

A post shared by JabbaMan (@jabbaman_1) on

“…we’ve truly lost ONE. I’m fortunate to have spent a couple of days with him this year and even shared three HOT studio sessions with the Prophet. Pro was a phenomenal human doing…” said the late HHP.

The death of Hugh Masekela, the father of South African jazz on January 23rd was another blow to the county. The late South African trumpeter was famous for writing anti-apartheid songs.

Masekela’s death was announced by his family in a statement that read, “After a protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer, he passed peacefully in Johannesburg, South Africa, surrounded by his family.”

The legendary jazz musician had been battling prostate cancer since 2008. In March 2016, Masekela the cancer spread and he had to undergo eye surgery. Later that year in September, the doctors discovered another tumor in his body.

Masekela headlined the Safaricom Jazz Festival on 12 August 2016 at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

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