Late singer Brenda Fassie’s Langa home gutted by fire

The Cape Town family home of the late music icon star Brenda Fassie was damaged in fire consuming some of the star’s memorabilia.

Her brother Themba Fassie said he was at his neighbour’s home when he was told that the back flatlet, in which he was living was on fire in Makana Square, Langa.

He lost everything in the blaze including some awards that the Afro pop star earned. Brenda who dominated charts and awards died on May 9, 2004 at the age of 39.

She was born in Langa and renovated her home in the 80s and her brother kept some of her things in his flat.

“Someone was summoned to get me from where I was. They told me my house was on fire. When I got home the neighbours were already trying to put out the fire. They managed to break the door but I have burglar bars.

“They decided to break the window to the bedroom. They threw water and sand and the raging flames continued to destroy the place. A friend came with a fire extinguisher and only then did the fire subside.”

He said the fire department only arrived after they had put out the blaze. “I lost a lot of things: one of my pianos got burnt. The other needs to be fixed because it was damaged. Brenda learnt music on that piano.

“The family archives including that of Brenda, her accolades and the archives that I kept are gone.”

Community leader Alfios Magwaca said: “We are saddened by the news of the fire, we hope the public will be able to donate the furniture that he needs. He will also need new electrical outlets wiring, and roofing.

“Those things are easily replaceable, but unfortunately no one can replace what Brenda achieved when she was still alive. I wish to advise people to keep their ‘archives’ safe and also, if possible, to insure such things.”