Mango Groove member dies

Mango Groove

Mango Groove

Published Jun 11, 2014

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A member of music group Mango Groove, Molefe Maboti Jonas (Kelley) Petlane, died at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Monday.

“I was with him yesterday (Monday) afternoon at Bara hospital,” said founding member of the group John Leyden.

“He did not look that well. He was diabetic and has been battling kidney failure. We got the sad news later that he had passed away at 5.45pm.”

He said Kelly, 64, had been with the group from the 1990s and “he was a wonderful friend and beautiful flute player”.

More tributes poured in for Petlane on social media.

Mango Groove vocalist Claire Johnston tweeted: “R.I.P Bra Kelly Petlane, friend and colleague. We will miss you. Love and strength to your family. Siya dabuka (we are saddened).”

On Tuesday the Oppikoppi music festival organisers posted on its website: “Today Oppikoppi says farewell to a member of our dust family, Kelly Petlane, who has been playing sax and penny whistle for Mango Groove… Our condolences to friends and family.”

He is survived by his wife, Lizzy Petlane. - The Mercury

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