Bongani Fassie and his mother Brenda
South African musician and reality TV star Bongani Fassie paid a touching tribute to his late mother, the legendary Brenda Fassie, on what would have been her 61st birthday.
The Too Late for Mama hitmaker, affectionately known as MaBrrr, remains one of the country’s most celebrated icons, and her legacy continues to inspire generations.
Taking to Instagram, Bongani shared nostalgic throwback photos of his mother in her prime, vibrant, fearless, and unapologetically herself.
In a heartfelt caption, he described her as a once-in-a-lifetime artist whose influence transcended time, but reminded fans that, to him, she was first and foremost his mom.
“Happy Birthday, Ma’Brr. You are that mega superstar, iconic, legendary, earth-shaking, history-bending voice-of-a-generation kind of force, but to me, you’re simply my mother, and that’s the part that mattered most. I love you Mama. Camagu,” he wrote.
Brenda Fassie, often hailed as the “Queen of African Pop,” remains a defining figure in South African music history.
Her bold personality, electric performances, and timeless hits like Vuli Ndlela, Noma Kanjani, and Too Late for Mama continue to dominate playlists and spark nostalgia across the continent.
Bongani’s touching message moved many of Brenda’s fans, who flooded his comments section with birthday wishes and emotional tributes.
One fan wrote, “Happy birthday to my favourite November 3rd babies! Your legacy lives on, Mama.”
Another added, “The original Queen B! You are really missed, and we love you always for the joy and music you brought into our lives.”