Brenda Fassie

3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004

Brenda Fassie (1964–2004) was a South African pop singer whose 1983 hit Weekend Special with Brenda and the Big Dudes made her one of the country's most popular performers. Her later solo albums, including Memeza (1998), were among the best-selling records in South African history, and she was widely referred to as the Queen of African Pop. She died in Johannesburg in 2004 after collapsing at home.

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Life events

Born in Langa, Cape Town, South Africa
3 November 1964

Born in the township of Langa, the youngest of nine children, and named after the American singer Brenda Lee.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Moved to Soweto to pursue a singing career
1981

At sixteen she moved to Soweto, Johannesburg, where producer Koloi Lebona took her in and she joined the vocal group Joy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Released Weekend Special with Brenda and the Big Dudes
1983

The single Weekend Special became a major hit in South Africa and charted internationally.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Birth of her son Bongani Fassie
1985

Her son Bongani, later a musician, was born from her relationship with a fellow member of the Big Dudes.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Married Nhlanhla Mbambo
1989 – 1991

Married Nhlanhla Mbambo; the marriage ended in divorce in 1991.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relationship ✓
Released the album Now Is the Time, including Vulindlela
1997

The single Vulindlela became one of her signature songs and was widely played at celebrations across South Africa.

Career ?
Released the album Memeza
1998

Memeza became the best-selling album in South Africa in 1998 and marked a commercial comeback.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Profiled by Time magazine as the Madonna of the Townships
2001

Time magazine published a profile of Fassie under the headline The Madonna of the Townships.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Collapsed at home in Johannesburg and fell into a coma
26 April 2004

She collapsed at her home in Buccleuch, Johannesburg, and was admitted to hospital, where she remained in a coma for two weeks.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Died in Johannesburg, South Africa
9 May 2004

Died at Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg at the age of 39.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓