LEGENDARY jazz musician Julian Sebothane Bahula has died.
The 85-year-old died at a private hospital in Sandton, Joburg on Sunday, 1 October after a short illness.
According to his family, Bahula, who had been living in the UK since 1976, told them he wanted to die and be buried in South Africa. He had come back to Mzansi four days before his death.
Bahula's nephew, Kenneth (54) from Mamelodi, Tshwane said they will miss him as he was a loving and caring man.
"He loved us as a family. Whenever he visited, he brought us food, clothes and money. We will miss him," he said.
He said will remember him for giving them nice clothes and money.
"I look like my uncle and I'm Sebothane like him. I haven't been to the UK, but he used to tell me all about it," he said.
Kenneth said his uncle told him that he would love to die and be buried in South Africa.
Bahula's cousin, Joyce (61) said he treated them equally as family.
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"We're shocked and heartbroken to lose him. Whenever he visited South Africa, he'd come to Sekhukhune in Limpopo to see us. He was a family man," she said.
Bahula was a founding member of Malombo Jazz Ensemble in the early 60s. He was presented with the Order of Ikhamanga (Gold) by former president Jacob Zuma in 2012 for his contribution and achievement in music and the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa.
The family said details of the memorial and funeral services will be announced in due course, but said he will be buried in Tshwane.
