Opera Singer Johan Botha Dies

South African opera tenor Johan Botha has died.

Botha, who was 51 years old, died Thursday in Vienna.

Botha's tenor seemed to effortlessly master a broad variety of operatic roles from Puccini to Wagner.

He showcased his talents on the stages of the world's opera houses, including La Scala, Covent Garden, New York's Metropolitan Opera and the State Opera in Vienna, which Botha had made his operatic home.

"We had been looking forward to his return so much," said Dominique Meyer, the director of the Vienna Opera.

Tenor Michael Schade said Botha was "one of the greatest voices that I ever got to share the stage with."

His last sang three weeks ago in Cape Town at a benefit for The Cancer Association of South Africa.

The Associated Press says the singer was suffering from cancer.

South African President Jacob Zuma said Botha would be remembered "for his soothing and powerful voice."

Botha is survived by his wife and two sons.

Photo by Monika Rittershaus: Production of Ariadne auf Naxos at Hamburgische Staatsoper 2012: Anne Schwanewilms as Primadonna / Ariadne (left), Johan Botha as Tenor / Bacchus (right).

South Africa Mourns Anti-Apartheid Icon 'Ma' Sisulu

Friday, 3 June 2011

South Africa is grieving the loss of a woman many consider to be the mother of the modern country.

Albertina Sisulu, known as Ma Sisulu, died late Thursday at her home in Johannesburg. She was 92.

Following the announcement, the Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement saying, "South Africa has lost a treasure."

Sisulu was born in the Tsomo district of Eastern Cape in 1918 and moved to Johannesburg in 1940 to train as a nurse. There she met anti-apartheid leader Walter Sisulu. The two married in 1944, with former president Nelson Mandela serving as the best man.

When South Africa's apartheid government jailed Walter Sisulu and Mr. Mandela in 1964, she took up the cause. Sisulu continued to lead despite being jailed, tortured and even banned from meeting with more than one person at a time.

In 1983, Sisulu formed the United Democratic Front, helping to revitalize the anti-apartheid movement.

Sisulu capped off her political career by formally nominating Nelson Mandela for president in 1994 and then serving one term as a legislator in the new democratic government.

Veteran activists say despite facing many hardships, Ma Sisulu kept her family together and always carried herself with grace and dignity.

South African Cabinet Minister Collins Chabane said Friday the state will give her an official, special funeral.

Part of Ma Sisulu's legacy are her children, who continue to play an active role in South African politics.

Her daughter Lindiwe Sisulu is the country's defense minister. Her son Max Sisulu is speaker of the National Assembly. And her other daughter, Beryl Sisulu, serves as South Africa's ambassador to Norway.

The family said Ma Sisulu had been in good health and was at the center of family activities at the time of her death.

(Photo: Dawidl)