Babsy Mlangeni’s Family Speaks After Music Icon’s Death, Memorial Set for Soweto Theatre

• The family of legendary musician Bernard "Babsy" Mlangeni has confirmed the details for his memorial and funeral service
• The Botsotso singer passed away after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades
• His memorial will be held at the Soweto Theatre, with one of his children explaining why the family chose to return him to Soweto for his send-off

The family of beloved South African music legend Bernard "Babsy" Mlangeni has broken their silence following his passing, describing his death as an immense loss. Mlangeni died on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at the age of 83 after a brief illness, leaving behind a musical legacy that touched generations of South Africans.

Those who loved him will have a chance to gather and pay their respects at a memorial service on 8 October at the Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg. His funeral will follow on Sunday, 11 October, at South Park in the East Rand, where family, friends, and colleagues will come together to honour his life and extraordinary contributions to the country's music landscape.

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A life shaped by Soweto

Born and raised in Soweto, Mlangeni's journey was one of remarkable resilience. He lost his sight at just three years old, yet refused to let that define or limit him.

He went on to build a celebrated solo career, producing some of South Africa's most enduring songs, among them Sala Emma, Bua Nnete, Botsotso, Umadlembathini and Special Angel. His music moved across languages, from isiZulu and isiXhosa to Setswana, earning him fans across cultural and regional divides.

In 2025, his peers and the government recognised his impact when he received the Ministerial Artist with Disability Award at the National Arts & Culture Awards (NACA).

"Let's give him back to Soweto"

His last-born daughter, Zenzi Mlangeni, explained to SABC News why the family decided to hold the proceedings in Soweto, the city that shaped her father's identity and artistry.

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"The reason that we're moving back to Soweto is that this is where he was born and this is where his legacy is. His music actually started, and it was birthed in Soweto. So we thought, let's give him back to Soweto and to celebrate him, and to show him all the love, and give the Soweto community and his fans the respect that he was born in Soweto, in Orlando West," she said.

The memorial at the Soweto Theatre will serve as an opportunity for the public to celebrate his decades-long impact and reflect on what his music meant to so many South Africans.

Wicknell Chivayo dies in a helicopter crash

In an earlier report, Briefly News shared insight into Zimbabwean tycoon Wicknell Chivayo's tragic death after he was involved in a helicopter crash which claimed six more lives, including that of his wife.

With no survivors reported from the crash, news of the horrific crash quickly spread across social media and was met with mixed reactions.

Source: Briefly News