Slain South African music icon, Benda Fassie would have turned 59 today, Friday, 3 November had she still been alive. Here are five things to know about the late singer…

RIP MA BRR: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BRENDA FASSIE

 

 

Fassie
Brenda Fassie died on 9 May 2004. Image via Instagram @brendafassieofficial
1. BRENDA FASSIE’S BIOGRAPHY
Full name: Brenda Nokuzola Fassie
Nickname: MaBrr
Birthplace: Cape Town
Date of birth: 3 November 1964
Died: 9 May 2004
Nationality: South African
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, dancer, and activist

2. A QUICK LOOK INTO MA BRR’S BACKGROUND
Brenda Fassie was born into a large family with her being the ninth daughter her parents had, Briefly reported. When she was just two years old, her father was reported to have passed away. The late Vuli Ndlela hitmaker reportedly started singing at a young age with her mother, who was reported to have been a pianist. However, her music career is said to have officially kicked off in 1981 at 16 years old after she relocated to Soweto, Johannesburg.

ALSO READ: ‘I failed’: Brenda Fassie’s son, Bongani on three suicide attempts

3. TOP 10 BREND FASSIE SONG
Weekend Special (1983)
Too Late For Mama (1989)
Black President (1990)
I Straight Le Ndaba (1992)
Vuli Ndlela (1997)
Nomankanjani (1999)
Thola Amadlozi (2000)
Higher & Higher (2022)
My Baby (2003)
Wedding Day (Legends album)
ALSO READ: Quote of the day: Brenda Fassie

4. CHILDREN
Brenda Fassie had one child, Bongani whom she left with millions after she died. He once appeared on Mzansi Magic’s show called I Blew It and revealed that he blew his fortunes on luxury cars, drugs, and parties, IOL reported. On the show, he’s said to have dropped a bombshell and estimated that he had probably spent about R4 million on narcotics alone.

Earlier this year, he also appeared in an episode of Behind The Story and revealed that he “wasn’t in a good place” and has already failed three suicide attempts.

“My mind wasn’t in a good place, my heart wasn’t in a good place and I tried to commit suicide…not once, I failed twice [and] I failed thrice [three times],” Bongani said.

5. HUSBAND
The South African icon married Nhlanhla Mbambo in 1989 and divorced in 1991. Mbambo allegedly passed away on Monday, 2 October in King Edward Hospital in Durban ZiMoja reported.