Award-winning singer and actress Suthukazi "Suthu" Arosi succumbed to cancer today. The songstress, who would have turned 64 on 10 March, passed away at her home in Centurion surrounded by friends and family.

HER PASSING CONFIRMED 

Arosi's management, Bongani Mahlangu, confirmed the news to Zimoja. The singer, who was born in Cala in the Eastern Cape, had been in and out of the hospital for months dealing with cancer. Mahlangu said last month that the songstress had more chemotherapy sessions to undergo and the medical bills were mounting. At the time, her family asked for financial support from her fans. According to Mahlangu, she is survived by her only son, who is currently in the US and is making his way back home. "Around December she had just completed her single, Turn Down the Lights. She still has music she did with the likes of Hugh Masekela,' Mahlangu added.

FORTY IN THE SHOW BUZZ 

The Ingane Yabelungu hitmaker has been in the showbiz industry for 40 years. When she pursued her music career in Johannesburg, she worked with several top artists and toured the world as a backing vocalist. She has worked with legends in the USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, France, Portugal and Singapore. Locally, she worked with musical couple Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu, Jonas Gwangwa, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, amongst many. She toured the world and was in the US as part of The Lion King, where she played the parts of Ensemble and Rafiki. An HIV/AIDS activist and philanthropist, Arosi rose to fame with popular songs such as Ingane Yabelungu, Wemnt' Omnnyama, Ulele Ulele, Vumani, Umziwasha, and Amanyala. She is one of the few artists to perform at birthday bashes of former Presidents, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.