South African music legend Piet Botha died on Sunday evening at the age of 63 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
Botha was the son of Apartheid-era minister Pik Botha, and rose to fame in the early 1970s when he formed part of the popular blues-rock band Jack Hammer.
Another South African rock legend, Karen Zoid, shared the news of Botha’s death in a Facebook post on the evening of his death, and said: “I sit and stare at your name and number on my phone. There is only one Piet. Always. A soft man with a hard beard. Humble Survivor. Hellbent Rock & roller. A Phantom, but no sneaky. Born with the helm.”
“I knew death would catch up with me one day, but I never thought this soon,” Botha had said in an interview with Rapport earlier this year.
A true musician never dies, he just stops performing live. Rest easy #PietBotha, your music will live forever in our hearts and minds. #RIP pic.twitter.com/n47x2PlyS2
— Texx and the City (@texxandthecity) June 2, 2019
one of my favourite piet botha moments was when he played ‘listening wind’ (1 of those songs where you think you’re the only person in a 100 mile radius who knows it) at strab a few years ago. totally obscure choice for a cover, superbly interpreted. geniet die reis ou grote.
— сняis сндмеLеои (@chrischameleon) June 2, 2019
I can’t explain to you guys how much this man meant to me.
In the last 5 years he was the closest thing to a father I had.
What he taught me will also stay with me.
His road has ended now, but mine still goes on.
He wouldn’t want me to stop.
— Kobus van Rooyen (@phoenixMuso) June 3, 2019
RIP to the Legend! @pietbothaofficial
Many moons back at Back2Basics
Check here @driesdutoit #PietBotha https://t.co/nLXYep25At pic.twitter.com/sre0kYyjqX— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) June 2, 2019
Picture: Piet Botha
