South African music veteran Babsy Mlangeni has died at the age of 83 following a short illness. Mlangeni was a distinctive voice in South African music for more than five decades, building a career that produced a catalogue of memorable songs and earned him a place among the country’s celebrated music veterans.

He came to prominence with hits such as Bua Nnete in the early 1970s, followed by a string of popular recordings, including Sala Emma, Botsotso, Lonely Man and Umadlembathini.

Mlangeni’s music crossed language and cultural boundaries, with the veteran recording in isiZulu, Sesotho and isiXhosa.

Born in Soweto in 1943, Mlangeni attended the Athlone School for the Blind in Cape Town, where he learned to play the guitar.

He went on to establish himself as a singer, guitarist and composer, overcoming the barriers faced by blind musicians at the time.

Among his accolades was a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Music Awards.

Mlangeni also played a role in nurturing younger talent and mentored fellow visually impaired musician Steve Kekana.

His musical journey spanned decades, leaving behind a body of work that forms part of South Africa’s rich musical heritage.