Issued by: Office of the President
President Thabo Mbeki has noted with sadness the death of Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde after a period of illness.
Mahlathini was a legend in South African music and culture and seminal in the development of indigenous music. Mahlathini together with his group the Mahotella Queens was leading exponent of mbaqanga music which they popularized in South Africa, and in recent years, internationally.
President Mbeki said that Mahlathini's death was a tragic loss and paid tribute to his contribution to South African culture. The President said that Mahlathini would always be remembered through his music.
President Mbeki joins countless millions of music lovers in expressing his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Mahlathini family, relatives, friends and fellow musicians.
30 July 1999
Issued by Communications Unit
The Presidency
Private Bag X1000
Pretoria
0001
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