Who was Theuns Jordaan? Quick facts about the Afrikaans music star

Theuns Jordaan had established a strong presence in the Afrikaans entertainment industry for over two decades when his life was tragically cut short in 2021. He had humble beginnings on a farm in the Eastern Cape, and his dedication to the craft was visible in his music. According to his close friend, Juanita du Plessis:

Theuns was a phenomenal monument for Afrikaans music, and his music and voice will live on in our hearts.

Key takeaways

• Theuns Jordaan died in November 2021 after a one-year battle with leukaemia.
• The Afrikaans singer released five studio albums.
• Theuns' mother, Maryna Jordaan, passed away less than two weeks after his death, after battling ill health for a while.

Theuns Jordaan's profile summary

Theuns Jordaan was raised in the Eastern Cape

The Afrikaans singer was born in Venterstad, Eastern Cape, to Maryna, a teacher, and Willie Jordaan, a farmer. He grew up on a farm alongside his only sister, Linda.

He matriculated from Volkskool High School in the Eastern Cape. Theuns then joined the University of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape to study Industrial Psychology. He used to perform at local bars and restaurants while studying.

Jordaan was one of the greatest Afrikaans singers

Theuns Jordaan's songs were popular across South Africa, especially among the Afrikaans audience. He released his first album, Vreemde Stad, in 2000. He followed it with his second album, Tjailatyd, in 2002 and the third album, Saeisoen, in 2005.

In 2013, Theuns won the South African Music Award for the top-selling artist in the country for his fourth album, Roeper. The singer's fifth and last album, Tribute to the Poets, came out in 2014.

Some of Jordaan's top songs include Soos Bloed, Net voor die storm kom, Beautiful in Beaufort Wes, Jou Asem, and Sal jy bly. The top Afrikaans singer sold over 1 million records during his career. He was known for his unique vocals, deeply emotive bass voice, and soulful performances.

Theuns Jordaan's short battle with leukaemia

The singer was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of blood and bone marrow cancer, in September 2020. Jordaan told Netwerk24 in December 2020 that before the diagnosis, he was constantly tired and had to lie down frequently.

Theuns started chemotherapy and received a bone marrow transplant in March 2021 as part of his treatment. He later shared with his fans in a July 2021 Facebook post that he was in remission.

The artist kept his treatment and recovery journey private. He unfortunately passed away a few months later, on November 17, 2021, at age 50. Theuns Jordaan's cause of death was leukaemia-related, but the family did not provide more details.

SA's emotional tributes to Theuns Jordaan

The singer is remembered as a humble but talented guy by those who knew him. After Theuns Jordaan's death, fans and friends flooded social media to wish him well on his next journey. Theuns' friend and frequent collaborator, Juanita du Plessis, said he was like a brother to her, adding:

A true gentleman who always treated me with the greatest respect. He was always right with a joke, willing to help and stood for fairness and honesty.

Armand Hofmeyr remembered Theuns as someone who had a great influence on his music, while the DA said the Afrikaans music landscape had lost a giant. Others who commemorated the singer included Jacques du Plessis, Jannie du Toit, Zelda La Grange, Caroline Grace Brüssow, Coenie de Villiers, and Steve Hofmeyr.

Theuns Jordaan's send off

Due to COVID-19 regulations, only 100 guests were allowed to attend the singer's funeral in Tshwane. The farewell service was broadcast on the 'Afrikaans is Groot' YouTube channel and on Theuns' Facebook Live.

Celebrities in attendance at Theuns Jordaan's funeral included singers Juanita du Plessis, Kurt Darren, Dozi and Bobby van Jaarsveld. Steve Hofmeyr and Bok van Blerk performed at the memorial ceremony.

Theuns Jordaan never married

The Afrikaans singer was known to keep his personal life relatively private. Jordaan did not have a wife and was not publicly known to have been in any relationships. He dedicated his life to music and was close to his family.

Theuns Jordaan had a love child

In January 2009, Theuns Jordaan became a father to daughter Britney Deoné without knowing. He reportedly had a one-night stand in 2008 with a woman called Jo-Ann Jansen van Vuuren during the Klein Karoo Arts Festival.

Jo-Ann, who hails from Grootfontein in Namibia, did a paternity test with her then-boyfriend, who turned out not to be the father. Theuns knew about the child about two months later. The singer was reportedly happy to take on fatherhood responsibilities and provide for his daughter.

Theuns Jordaan's mother died two days after his burial

Jordaan's mother, Maryna, was in a care facility in Bethulie in the Free State when her son passed away. She was unable to attend Theuns' funeral due to ill health, but her husband, Willie, said during the memorial service that he was her sunshine.

Maryna died on November 28, 2021, at age 79. Her daughter, Linda, reportedly lived close to the care facility to look after her ailing mother. The funeral service was held in Venterstad, Eastern Cape. Theuns Jordaan's parents had been married for 56 years after meeting in 1965 in Aliwal North.

Theuns Jordaan remains one of South Africa's most talented singers. His legacy lives on through the music he left behind.

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Source: Briefly News