HOURS after being awarded the prestigious Leopard Award by the Mafikeng campus of North West University, one of the country's most popular musicians, Rex "Onketsang" Rabanye, succumbed to liver fibrosis in Potchefstroom on Sunday.
Best known for his 1986 solo album Onketsang, Bra Rex died peacefully at his home with his family.
He had been diagnosed with a lung condition called fibrosing alveolitis in 1998, to which he had adjusted and lived with from the time of diagnosis.
Rabanye was born on March 13 1944 at Makweteng township in Potchefstroom.
By his early teens Rabanye was playing the organ for family and friends.
He formed the Teenage Lovers, who gained their first recording contract with Gallo Records.
Their first hit in 1974, Botany 500,gained a "golden disc".
The band's subsequent hits included Last Hope and Potchefstroom Road, a track that echoed the sentiment of the long trips to Johannesburg to perform.
In 1980 Rabanye moved to Mafikeng to study towards a BJuris degree at the then University of Bophuthatswana. He graduated in 1984.
Between 1985 and 1986 Rabanye rebuilt his music career and released what would be his most popular hit, Onketsang, which achieved platinum status.
He subsequently released another album, Moya-Moya, in 1987 for which he also gained platinum.
In 1989 Rabanye went to Wits University to pursue his LLB degree, which he did not complete. Instead he produced another album, Campus Mood, and subsequently Somlandela in 1990.
Rabanye then worked as a deputy director for the newly formed Youth Commission of North West.
He later worked for the department of education while his artistic legacy lived on.
He worked for the North West government until 1998, when he became gravely ill with a debilitating lung condition
After being forced to retire by illness, Rabanye's instinct was to return to his other passion - music.
He later released various other albums, which included Fight The Good Fight and Matla ke a Modimo. Rabanye then suffered a transient stroke and subsequently lost his hearing.
Bra Rex's music has influenced many musicians and continues to receive great airplay on local radio stations.
His music, which is still greatly enjoyed at weddings, is a pure reflection of his environment and larger-than-life personality.
He eventually had to retire even from music that he loved so much. He subsequently performed a few times after his stroke.
Rabanye kept an archive of many yet to be recorded tracks.
Artistically, Rabanye continued to be recognised with numerous awards, mostly within North West.
He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Music Awards of 2006. Rabanye lived a mostly private life with his family in Potchefstroom, where it all began.
"Bra Rex" was a father, grandfather and core support to the rest of his extended family.
Rabanye is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, two sisters and a brother.
He will be buried tomorrow in Potchefstroom.
His funeral service starts at 7am at Potchefstroom's Banquet Hall.
Bra Rex lived for music
HOURS after being awarded the prestigious Leopard Award by the Mafikeng campus of North West University, one of the country's most popular musicians, Rex "Onketsang" Rabanye, succumbed to liver fibrosis in Potchefstroom on Sunday.
Best known for his 1986 solo album Onketsang, Bra Rex died peacefully at his home with his family.
He had been diagnosed with a lung condition called fibrosing alveolitis in 1998, to which he had adjusted and lived with from the time of diagnosis.
Rabanye was born on March 13 1944 at Makweteng township in Potchefstroom.
By his early teens Rabanye was playing the organ for family and friends.
He formed the Teenage Lovers, who gained their first recording contract with Gallo Records.
Their first hit in 1974, Botany 500,gained a "golden disc".
The band's subsequent hits included Last Hope and Potchefstroom Road, a track that echoed the sentiment of the long trips to Johannesburg to perform.
In 1980 Rabanye moved to Mafikeng to study towards a BJuris degree at the then University of Bophuthatswana. He graduated in 1984.
Between 1985 and 1986 Rabanye rebuilt his music career and released what would be his most popular hit, Onketsang, which achieved platinum status.
He subsequently released another album, Moya-Moya, in 1987 for which he also gained platinum.
In 1989 Rabanye went to Wits University to pursue his LLB degree, which he did not complete. Instead he produced another album, Campus Mood, and subsequently Somlandela in 1990.
Rabanye then worked as a deputy director for the newly formed Youth Commission of North West.
He later worked for the department of education while his artistic legacy lived on.
He worked for the North West government until 1998, when he became gravely ill with a debilitating lung condition
After being forced to retire by illness, Rabanye's instinct was to return to his other passion - music.
He later released various other albums, which included Fight The Good Fight and Matla ke a Modimo. Rabanye then suffered a transient stroke and subsequently lost his hearing.
Bra Rex's music has influenced many musicians and continues to receive great airplay on local radio stations.
His music, which is still greatly enjoyed at weddings, is a pure reflection of his environment and larger-than-life personality.
He eventually had to retire even from music that he loved so much. He subsequently performed a few times after his stroke.
Rabanye kept an archive of many yet to be recorded tracks.
Artistically, Rabanye continued to be recognised with numerous awards, mostly within North West.
He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Music Awards of 2006. Rabanye lived a mostly private life with his family in Potchefstroom, where it all began.
"Bra Rex" was a father, grandfather and core support to the rest of his extended family.
Rabanye is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, two sisters and a brother.
He will be buried tomorrow in Potchefstroom.
His funeral service starts at 7am at Potchefstroom's Banquet Hall.
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