South African musician Jabu Khanyile has died at the age of 49 after suffering from diabetes and prostate cancer. The singer, who performed at the Johannesburg Live 8 concert, passed away on Saturday night after he was admitted to hospital in the country's capital city.
Born in Soweto in 1957, Khanyile, known for his colourful Masai costume, first came to public attention in the mid eighties as a drummer with his band Bayete, soon taking over as lead vocalist. The group achieved hit songs with the likes of 'Mbube' and 'Mbombela'. When the band split in 1993 Khanyile went on to establish a successful solo career, his first solo album, 'The Prince', winning him a best artist prize at the All Africa Music Awards in 2000. He became renowned for his defence of and interest in all kinds of African music, collaborating with artists from other African countries including the likes of Senegal's Youssou N'Dour and Papa Wemba from the Democratic Republic Of Congo.
Khanyile was one of those who, prior to Live 8, voiced the opinion that Africans themselves ought to tell their own story, not have westerners telling westerners about the continent's problems. "We are the ones who can spread the message with passion", he said.