South African gospel veteran Dr Deborah Fraser was confirmed dead at the age of 56.
Dr Deborah Fraser dies: What’s the cause of death?
In a statement released by her family, it was only revealed that the musician lost her life “following a short illness.”
“She passed on today (Sunday 15 May 2022) after midday, in the presence of her family and friends,” the statement read.
At this time, not much else has been revealed about what prompted Fraser’s passing, albeit, on the musician’s Wikipedia page, a fatal ‘stroke’ has been listed as her cause of death. This, however, has yet to be confirmed by the Frasers.
The family will commence preparations to lay the gospel veteran to rest in the coming weeks.
“As Dr Deborah Fraser’s family, we would like to be given space to process and deal with this very tragic situation,” the family concluded.
Here’s what we know about Fraser
Deborah Fraser was born on 9 June 1966. Singing was always a passion of hers and, coupled with growing up in a Christian household, it was inevitable that in her adolescence, she would pursue a career in gospel.
Fraser, at the age of 20, moved to Johannesburg, and attracted an opportunity to provide backup vocals for international acts, the likes of Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube, and Brenda Fassie, to list a few.
The fate of her singing career Fraser described in a single sentence during a 2021interview with Drum Magazine.
“Universal Music called and asked to sign me and I sold millions on copies,” she said.
Her first single Abanye Bayombona released in 2000 was the calling card that attracted her record deal.
Fraser had two albums listed in her discography, Doctors Prescription: Make Love Three Times A Day released in 1990, and her gospel classic Ngikuxolele (2004).
In November 2021, Fraser was honoured with a Doctor of Philosophy in Sacred Music by the Christian Leadership Academy.
Reactions to Dr Deborah Fraser death
Tributes have been pouring in for the late gospel icon. Here are some reactions we picked out:
The gospel we grew up listening to..#RIPDeborahfraser pic.twitter.com/qbhGKiDTKI
— Classic'O🇮🇹. (@MokoenaClass) May 15, 2022
#RIPDeborahFraser
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) May 15, 2022
Rest in Perfect Peace Ausi Deborah Fraser.
Your music lives on 🕊🕯 pic.twitter.com/bXnWB6zndl
#RIPDeborahFraser
— YaseBlock B 🇸🇿 (@ThisIsColbert) May 15, 2022
My version of heaven… She is with Brenda Fassie now, ungikhondzele kusesi Nokuzola mam'Deborah ❤️❤️❤️
Rest in Perfect Peace Dr Deborah Fraser.
Condolences, your music lives on 🕊️🕊️
Somizi Nota Adv Teffo Orlando Pirates West Ham Dubai pic.twitter.com/G1o28AZ6OI
I would like to hear a tribute song for Deborah Fraser featuring
— Zinhle 🥷🏽 (@Zinhleputinn) May 15, 2022
Sipho Makhabane
Dr Rebecca Malope
Ncandweni
Hlengiwe Mhlaba
Benjamin Dube and all the gospel greats from her era #RIPDeborahFraser
#RIP Mama Deborah Fraser 😥😭😭😭😭😭 Your presence will forever be a beautiful memory to many households 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
— Monyane Lodge (@Monyane__Lodge) May 15, 2022
Condolences to the family 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️#RIPDeborahFraser #Gospel #LoveYouForever pic.twitter.com/TByupz8jTS
