Music icon Thandi Klaasen dies
Jazz legend Thandi Klassen loses the battle against cancer
TRIBUTES are pouring in following the death of South Africa’s jazz legend Thandi Klaasen yesterday (Sunday).
Klaasen (86) died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
As a teenager, she was attacked with acid, which resulted in permanent scars on her face; however she didn’t let the incident stop her dream of being on stage.
This brave musician started performing in the late 1950s and earned respect as a singer and dancer in various churches around Sophiatown.
She performed with groups such as the Gaieties and the Harlem Swingsters, but her career took off when she met with Dolly Rathebe, Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuku and Sophie Mgcina.
She later starred in the internationally acclaimed musical, King Kong, by composer Todd Matshikiza.
Klaasen received numerous awards including The Woman of Distinction Award received in Canada (1999) and more recently the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony of 12th-MTN South African Music Awards.
She ranks as a symbol that defines the golden age of music in South Africa.
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