South African music veteran, Ray Phiri dies after battling with lung cancer.
Phiri was a Jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician born in Mpumalanga, reports say he passed away at Nelspruit hospital around 3:30 am on Wednesday.
Phiri was a front man of the group Stimela, he passed away at 70 and left South Africans heartbroken.
The legend was recently admitted at Nelspruit hospital for cancer treatment, with a friend starting a crowd for initiative to help for his medical costs.
Last week Phiri was reported that he wants to die in peace as has asked that he be given space and his privacy be respected.
He will always be remembered for his hard work, Phiri founded a popular soul band, The Cannibals in Johannesburg in 1972 and also launch Stimela which released several platinum-selling albums.
His death left the Tweeps and South African celebrities weeping: