NELSON MANDELA - SOUTH AFRICAN SINGER MATHOSA DIES IN CAR CRASH

Acclaimed South African singer LEBO MATHOSA died in the early hours of this morning (23OCT06) in a car crash. She was 29. The driver of the vehicle Mathosa was travelling in lost control and the car overturned and ploughed into a tree, according to a police spokesperson. Mathosa was a major star in the Kwaito genre, which blends traditional South African music with hip-hop and funk. She performed to a rapturous reception at former South African leader NELSON MANDELA's 85th birthday celebration earlier this year (06). LESLIE SEDIBE, spokesperson for EMI records, says, "(We're) devastated. I don't think that there is any artist after BRENDA FASSIE, who could match her talent and energy on stage."