Fassie, Brenda (1964–2004)

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Fassie, Brenda (1964–2004)

South African pop singer. Born Nov 3, 1964; grew up in Langa, a black township outside Cape Town, South Africa; died after an asthma attack, age 39, May 9, 2004, in South Africa; youngest of 9 children of a domestic worker; children: son Bongani.

Called by the New York Times, "the piercing siren of the dispossessed under apartheid," was one of Africa's top-selling musicians and South Africa's 1st black pop stars; singing in English, Xhosa, Sotho and Zulu, had such hits as "Weekend Special," "It's Nice to Be with People," "No No No, Senor," "Black President," a tribute to the still imprisoned Nelson Mandela, and "Vulindlela," which was adopted by the African Naitonal Congress for its election campaign (1999); was outspoken about her bisexuality, a subject that was largely taboo.