Babsy Mlangeni, Legendary SA Musician Behind Sala Emma, Dies at 83
- Veteran South African musician Babsy Mlangeni passed away on Thursday night following a short illness at the age of 83
- Born blind from the age of three, Mlangeni built a celebrated career spanning nearly six decades and became a household name
- Mlangeni received two lifetime achievement honours, including a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017
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South Africa is mourning the loss of Babsy Mlangeni, the beloved veteran musician whose voice became part of the country's cultural fabric for nearly six decades. He died on Thursday night after a short illness, aged 83.
Born Bernard Mlangeni in Orlando East, Soweto, he lost his sight at just three years old. Rather than letting that define his limits, he channelled his energy into music from an early age. He began his journey in the 1960s with The All-Rounders, a Soweto-based group composed entirely of blind musicians, before eventually stepping out as a solo artist.
The song that made a nation listen
Mlangeni's name became synonymous with Sala Emma, a timeless 1960s hit he wrote for his wife Emma. Performed in Sesotho, the song transcended language and regional boundaries to become a firm favourite across South Africa. He went on to release a catalogue of memorable work, including Bua Nnete, Thekeni, Hey Mr Taxi Driver, Mapule, Music Was Born In Africa, Botsotso, Lonely Man and Umadle Mhlambini.
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His impact stretched well beyond his discography. Throughout his career, Mlangeni consistently challenged attitudes towards blind musicians and people living with disabilities. In a 2025 interview, he spoke candidly about the scepticism he had faced, noting that he had spent his life proving doubters wrong.
A legacy recognised and celebrated
The music industry formally acknowledged his contribution when he received a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. He received a second lifetime achievement honour in 2025, a fitting tribute to a career that had reached its 58th year. That same year, he performed Sala Emma once more, reflecting proudly on everything he had built.
His longevity meant that multiple generations of South Africans grew up with his music, and his distinctive voice remained instantly recognisable right up to his final years. Mlangeni leaves behind not just a remarkable body of work, but a legacy as a pioneer who helped reshape how South Africa viewed blind artists and musicians living with disabilities.
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