|
Kerkorrel hangs himself
13/11/2002 09:10 - (SA)
Pieter Redelinghuys
Cape Town - South African music icon Johannes Kerkorrel is dead. He hanged himself. On Tuesday afternoon at 12:40 someone found his body, 3km outside Kleinmond, hanging from a tree.
News24 called him Tuesday morning to get a quote in connection with a story we did on booted 5FM DJ Alex Jay. Kerkorrel's cellphone was on voice message.
Provincial police spokesperson William Reid confirmed that "Ralph John Rabie, aged 42, was found hanging from a tree in the Kleinmond area, about 3km outside Kleinmond at around 12:40 on Tuesday".
According to friends close to the Rabie family (who wished not to be named) this was exactly the way a former lover of the music icon took his life some years ago.
News24 made several calls to Rabie's personal cellphone number when the first rumour about his tragic death surfaced, but only got an answering message.
We phoned colleagues and close friends of Rabie, but no one knew.
Finally a female friend close to the Rabie family confirmed that the well-known and well-loved performer had indeed taken his own life.
Then, eventually, the news broke ... it was true: he had made an end to his life.
On presenting these facts to people in the music industry, the reaction was one of shock and total devastation.
Karen Meiring, a good friend of Rabie and well-known personality on the Klein Karoo National Art Festival scene, was at a loss for words.
"I am so sad. It is a personal loss, but on a bigger scale it is a loss to South African music. Ralph had always been true to himself and people around him. He said things the way he wanted. He was honest, without any pretence ... I will miss him ... South Africa will miss him."
Piet Botha, lead singer of SA rockers Jack Hammer and an Afrikaans solo artist of note, was gutted when News24 told him of the tragedy.
"It is terrible news. I am shocked beyond belief. What would have forced him to do such a thing? And what a pity, he gave so much to SA music. He made young (white) people aware of the wrongs of Apartheid way back then. I have tremendous respect for him," said Botha.
From the ranks of the younger generation Andries "Roof" Bezuidenhout, lead singer of the band Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes was equally gutted on hearing the news.
"Kerkorrel was the guy that gave me, as a member of
the Defence Force, some food for thought. He was the architect who changed the hearts and minds of white South Africans in the late eighties. He was a genius ... may we never forget what he did..."
Previously News24 contacted Karen Zoid, nationally known as the rock diva of South Africa. She was speechless on hearing the news.
"It can not be true," she said, "I am shocked ... it is ... too much to contemplate. We would have working together on a show for next year's Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. This is too hectic..."
Music and festival promoter Dirk Uys said: "... a tragedy, I can not believe it. Ralph had the guts to stand up against PW Botha and the Apartheid system. He meant a lot to South African music - it is a great loss..."
|
News
