News24.com | Renowned South African jazz musician Musa Manzini, 51, has died

South African jazz musician Musa Manzini.

• Celebrated South African jazz musician Musa Manzini has died. He was 51.
• Manzini's family confirmed the musician died at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg on Monday, 15 May, after suffering a fatal seizure.
• In 2018, Manzini made headlines for playing the guitar while undergoing an awake craniotomy, a rare head surgery, while conscious. 

Celebrated South African jazz musician Musa Manzini has died. He was 51.

Manzini's family confirmed the musician died on the morning of Monday, 15 May, two weeks before his 52nd birthday, at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg after suffering a fatal seizure.

In 2018, Manzini made headlines after undergoing an awake craniotomy, a rare head surgery while conscious. During the surgery, Manzini played his guitar so the doctors could monitor his finger movements.

"They put me to sleep and then drilled my skull open. Once my brain was exposed, I woke up and played my guitar," Manzini explained to News24 from his hospital bed shortly after the surgery.

Per Monday's press statement, "Musa was first hospitalised with a malignant brain tumour in 2006. Subsequent to the surgery, he had [six] more craniotomies – three to remove the tumour and three to deal with the hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid on the brain. Epilepsy and seizures are common complications of craniotomies."

Manzini's family paid tribute to him, calling him a "highly talented and prolific musician". 

The bass player will be laid to rest in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, 173km from where he was born in Inanda, on Saturday, 20 May. More details about his memorial service will follow in due course. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.