Babsy Mlangeni’s family devastated by death as music icon is laid to rest in Soweto

The family of late South African music icon Babsy Mlangeni says they are devastated by his passing after he died last Thursday following an illness that lasted nearly three years.

The family has expressed gratitude to fans and the wider community for the messages of support and condolences following the musician’s death.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday at the Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg, while his funeral is scheduled for Sunday at South Park in the East Rand.

Mlangeni’s last-born daughter, Zenzi Mlangeni, said the decision to return her father to Soweto was deeply significant, as the township was where he was born and where his celebrated music career began.

She said the family wanted to give him back to the community that played an important role in shaping his legacy.

“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,” she said.

Zenzi said the family wanted his final farewell to be an opportunity for the Soweto community and his fans to celebrate his life and show him the love and respect he had earned throughout his career.

“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.”

The memorial and funeral services are expected to bring together family, friends, fellow musicians and members of the public to remember Mlangeni and celebrate his contribution to South African music.