Jazz singer Thandi Klaasen has died at the age of 86 after she lost the battle against pancreatic cancer on Sunday.
The news was confirmed by her daughter, Lorraine Klaasen, when she took to facebook to post a tribute to her mother.
"Today is the day my mom left us she passed away this morning peacefully. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers I use to share this encouraging scripture Revelations 21 verse 2 3 4. In part it says Even Death will be no more. no pain.no suffering it will be things of the past. We will update for funeral arrangement, On behalf of my family, we thank you all," she wrote.
The Arts And Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa conveyed his condolences to Klaasen's family on Twitter, "uMama Thandi Klassen was feisty, street smart, & full of life. She stood the test of time, having had a career which lasted over 5 decades." he wrote
Mthethwa addd, "How her voice endured to sing with us in the age of democracy, during which she was honoured with the order of Ikamanga in Silver in 2006."
Klaasen was honoured with the order of Ikamanga in Silver in 2006 for her song Sophiatown, in which she "masterfully and beautifully describes the town where she was brought up", Mthethwa said.
