Local blues and rock musician Piet Botha has passed away at the age of 63 after a battle with cancer, according to reports.
Piet Botha was the son of former Minister of Foreign Affairs Pik Botha, and was a well-known musician who began writing songs and forming bands while still at school. He co-founded the famous blues rock group Jack Hammer in1984.
Botha went to the US in 1985 to work there but returned to South Africa the next year.
In 2011 Botha appeared in the television series "Wie Lê Waar" (Who Lies Where) on kykNET. In the programme he visited the graves of famous Afrikaner icons and tells about their lives. The series led indirectly to the recording and release of "Spookpsalms", Botha's first solo album in 8 years.
On 6 May 2006, Piet Botha was awarded a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to South African music.
May his soul rest in peace.
