A wave of grief washed over social media when it was announced, on Thursday, that legendary musician Steve Kekana has passed away.
Steve Kekana dies: What’s the cause of death?
News of the singer’s passing came as an unexpected, even to those in his inner circle. Speaking to Sowetan Live, the 63-year-old’s manager Xolani Majozi revealed that Kekana showed no signs of ailment when they last spoke sometime in the week of Monday 21 June 2021.
“I spoke to his wife and she confirmed that he’s no more. He was fine the last time I spoke to him. I spoke to him last week over the phone and we were having an event around him but had to cancel due to the latest lockdown regulations,” Majozi revealed.
While Kekana’s family has yet to release an official statement, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old sighed his last breath in the wee hours of Thursday morning.
“We are waiting for more details from the family,” his manager added.
Kekana’s official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Tributes and reactions to Kekana’s death
Since Kekana’s passing surfaced on social media, many of his fans and peers have sent tributes to the fallen singer. Those who were around In his hey-day will remember the impact he marked on the music industry with classic hits like Take Your Love, Nomsa Ntombi Yami and Rosemary.
In many respects, Kekana was the ‘Stevie Wonder’ of the Motherland. Born in 1958, the singer lost his sight at the age of five. A tragedy that would mark the end to one’s confidence and will to live was a blessing in disguise for the singer.
His emergence in the music scene can be traced back to the 1960s and with a natural vocal talent that separated him from the rest, Kekana went on to have a blistering music career. His discography is stacked with as many as 40 studio albums, collaborations with high-profile acts such as Ray Phiri, Nana Coyote and Joe Nina, as well as a 40-year span of award titles. Kekana also has a biography penned by Sydney Fetsie Maluleke titled Steve Kekana: The I In Me.
Here’s how social media reacted to the news of Kekana’s death:
"Take your love and keep it."
— PULE MATLHO (@PuleMatlho) July 1, 2021
Rest in Peace, Ntate Steve Kekana.#RipSteveKekana pic.twitter.com/puU9oCbVKu
…. A legend indeed .. #RIPSteveKekana pic.twitter.com/fSZQXVYJHe
— Heazy the Radio Guy (@HeazySA) July 1, 2021
This was probably his last performance. Thank you for the good music Legend. #RIPSteveKekana pic.twitter.com/p9g76MfRfp
— m a s h e s h a (@dollar_mashesha) July 1, 2021
Two legends die in a space of 24 hours #RIPEmmaMkhwanazi #RIPSteveKekana pic.twitter.com/q2FNiLLZvC
— Mahmoud Jay Letsie (@jayletsie101) July 1, 2021