Asthma attack killed South African popstar Brenda Fassie

1.00pm - By BASILDON PETA

Brenda Fassie, South Africa's pop star who probably rivals Nelson Mandela in popularity on the African continent, has died of complications from an asthma attack.

Ms Fassie, 39, dubbed the "Madonna of the Townships", emerged from a Cape Town slum in the early 1980s to become one of the pillars of the anti-apartheid struggle as she gave a voice to marginalised and disenfranchised blacks.

"She made our souls rise in bliss wherever her voice reached," said South Africa President Thabo Mbeki in his eulogy of the raspy-voiced Ms Fassie.

She was admitted to Johannesburg's Sunninghill Hospital after an asthma attack on April 26 led to cardio-respiratory arrest. She slipped into a coma and died Sunday.

Thousands of well-wishers, including Mr Mbeki, former President Nelson Mandela, his wife Graca and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and many others had visited the pop icon in hospital.

The outspoken Ms Fassie shot to fame at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle in the 1980s, winning legions of fans in poverty-stricken townships in South Africa and across Africa, through her songs whose main themes were rooted in ghetto life, love and pain.

She sang about the destruction of black aspirations under apartheid in songs like "Black President" which inspired youths to revolt against the old order.

But as her fame grew, Ms Fassie started leaving a controversial life. She slowly pressed the self-destruction button with her chronic abuse of dangerous drugs. She disclosed she was a lesbian, a subject taboo to many of her black fans.

Most of them were beginning to write her off before she made a dramatic comeback that saw her winning the best-selling release awards at the South African Music Awards for four consecutive years.

To her legions of fans, the talented Ms Fassie was born a natural musician. As a little girl of four, she was always singing and dancing to entertain family or crowds at talent shows.

She became an instant hit with her band "The Big Dudes" after their smash single "Weekend Special" in 1983. It became the fastest selling record of the time and entered the Billboard Hot Black singles chart. She followed with the single "Too late for Mama," which went platinum in South Africa and placed her into superstardom. She toured extensively, performing in South America, Australia, Europe and the United States.

Fassie married ex-convict Nhlanhla Mbambo in 1989, only to divorce him in 1991 amid rumours of physical abuse. Fassie's downward spiral began after the divorce and she confessed going down into a haze of cocaine abuse.

She began several years of checking in and out of rehab clinics. She missed gigs, was sued by various concert promoters and sank into debt. Her son, Bongani, was even thrown out of school for non-payment of fees. Matters became worse when she lost her mother in 1993.

But her life changed when she reportedly woke up from a drug binge next to her dead lesbian lover Poppie Sihlahla who died of a drug overdose in Johannesburg in 1995.

Fassie then re-dedicated herself to her music, joining hands with African legend Papa Wemba on her album "Now is the Time," which won her the first of her four best-selling release awards at the South African Music Award.

In 1998, she won the Kora Award for best female artist, which recognises African musical talent. Time Magazine called her "The Madonna of the Townships" in an interview published during a US tour in 2001.

Political parties, trade unions, civil society organisations, government officials and church formations sent condolences to the singer's family yesterday.

"The country has lost one of its most talented singers and performers, whose charisma and energy earned her a place in the hearts of many," the ruling African National Congress said.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance said Fassie and her talent would be "sorely missed" in the field of arts and by all South Africans. "Brenda lived her life to the full and we are sure she had many more happy days than sad," the organisation said.

The Inkatha Freedom Party, the largest black opposition party, said Fassie was a true survivor and heroine.

"She was an outspoken and courageous woman, who proved that through all the challenges she faced she prevails."

South Africa's Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri and her department said to Fassie's family: "We share your grief at having lost a loving mother, sister and aunt."

The Congress of SA Trade Unions said Fassie was an inspiration to the youth and to workers.

"Fassie rose from a poor background in Langa, she became a super-star and the top singer of her generation."

- INDEPENDENT