Babsi Mlangeni, a distinguished figure in South African music, passed away at the age of 83 after a short illness. His passing prompted a wave of tributes from fans.
Mlangeni gained recognition in the 1970s with the release of the song 'Bua Nnete'. He built a successful musical career by presenting compositions such as 'Sala Emma', 'Botsotso', 'Lonely Man', and 'Umadlembathini'. His work resonated with listeners from various cultural and linguistic communities, as he recorded and performed in isiZulu, Sesotho, and isiXhosa.
Born in Soweto in 1943, Mlangeni later attended the School for the Blind in Atlhorne in Cape Town, where he developed his guitar skills. He achieved success as a singer, guitarist, and composer, building a career in the music industry despite the difficulties faced by blind musicians during that era.
Mlangeni's contribution to South African music was recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the South African Music Awards. The Max Mojapelo Foundation also noted that the visionary musical master Bernard Babsi Mlangeni passed away on October 2, 2026. He was born in Orlando East, Soweto, on February 24, 1943.
Bhoza Mpela emphasized that despite his blindness, Mlangeni shared his talent with the nation, reminding people that music is felt deeply in the soul. He highly praised Mlangeni's talent, resilience, and contribution to South African music.