Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has conveyed his condolences to the family, fans and friends of musician and entertainer, Koyo Bala.
Bala passed away earlier this week at the Groote Schuur Hospital after a prolonged battle with cancer.
“Bala was a treasure to South Africa. His passing leaves a gaping hole in our entertainment industry.
“There are no words to express how we grieve for losing this young and energetic soul,” the Department of Arts and Culture said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the department, Bala was born in Gugulethu outside Cape Town. He moved to Johannesburg where he was determined to make a name for himself in the highly competitive entertainment industry.
“In 2002, together with two of his close friends, Jeff Moyo and Amstel Makwane, formed the pop music group called 3Sum. This group soon carved its own unique image and they developed into one of the most formidable forces in the music industry,” the department said.
The group was openly gay and championed the rights of gay people.
Bala was diagnosed with cancer and in 2012 publicly disclosed that he was HIV positive.
“May his gentle and creative soul rest in peace,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
