THE South Africa African musicians community is shocked by the death of internationally renowned singer and songwriter Joe "Kolie" Mogotsi.

Mogotsi, pictured, died at a Johannesburg hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning after a short illness.

Mogotsi, 87, was a member of the famous Manhattan Brothers.

Gallo Music Group, which had a long relationship with the Manhattan Brothers, confirmed the death of the iconic musician and said funeral arrangements had not been discussed yet.

Mogotsi was a singer and composer from the old Sophiatown cultural melting pot.

He was a member of probably the most prominent South African musical exports to date - the Manhattan Brothers - and was still active, composing and performing.

He was one of only two surviving original members of vocal quartet and the biggest name in black South African music during the late 1940s and 50s. The other surviving member is London-based Rufus Khoza.

Mogotsi, who was popularly known as Kolie, was a prolific composer and lead singer of the globally renowned group.

The Manhattan Brothers was formed in the early 30s, and was one of the most influential groups in the history of South Africa's music. The group consisted of four vocalists.

"Man, I cannot believe this. So now, I'm the only one left," commented Khoza yesterday when he learnt of his colleague's death.

Some of South Africa's greatest musicians that performed or recorded with the group over the years include Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Mackay Davashe, Kippie Moeketsi and Jonas Gwangwa.

"We are saddened by the sudden passing of Uncle Joe. Our country has lost one of its musical giants and he will be solemnly missed," said Arnold Mabunda a music publisher at Gallo Music Group.

In 1959 the four members of the band joined the company of King Kong, the first black South African musical and toured with it to England, where they decided to remain.

Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse likened the emergence of the Manhattan Brothers to the emergence of South African music itself.

"Bra Joe was the epitome of what South African music became, and most successful musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Caiphus Semenya and myself included, owe our musical career to the Manhattan Brothers."

He said Mogotsi's passing was a huge loss.