Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile has paid tribute to acclaimed guitarist George Nxusa, who died on Saturday.
Nxusa's "sad and unexpected" death at the Manguang Outdoor Sport Centre came while the ANC was celebrating its centenary.
Mashatile noted that Nxusa was the bass guitarist of the eight-member Ihashi Elimhlophe band, and had "contributed much during the struggle days" through his music.
Ihashi Elimhlophe, a household name in Maskandi - traditional Zulu music - first recorded their music in 1986 and has performed in Africa, India and Sri Lanka.
Mashatile described Nxusa as a musician who was dedicated to his art and had contributed to the cultural lifeblood of the country.
"On behalf of the Ministry, I wish family, friends and fans strength in this period of grief. May we be consoled that even though George Nxusa is no longer with us, we have been enriched by his music that still lives on," he said.
Nxusa's funeral is expected to take place in Johannesburg on Saturday.
