Cape Town – Condolences are streaming in for South African musician Piet Botha after the news of his death was shared online, Netwerk24 reported.

Piet, 63, was a rocker and the son of former South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Pik Botha. He was also the frontman for the local band Jack Hammer.

According to a biography written by Brian Currin in October 2012 on Piet’s Facebook page, the singer was born in 1955 and shares his birth date of 18 July with Nelson Mandela. He began writing songs and forming bands while still at school and his first professional gig was as an acoustic duo in 1974 at a local drinking hole in Pretoria.

Piet was diagnosed with pancreas cancer about three months ago and recently cancelled a performance at the Strab Festival, reports Maroela Media.

In an interview with Rapport’s Hanlie Retief earlier this year, Piet spoke about his diagnosis saying that “he knew there was trouble” but thought it would be “okay”. Piet was later diagnosed with a very serious type of pancreas cancer named Adenocarcinoma which had spread throughout his body. “I knew death would catch up with me one day,” he said, adding: “But I never thought this soon”.

Piet is known for songs like Suitcase Vol Winter and Goeienag Generaal – to name but a few.

“Koebaai julle konings, koebaai… (Goodbye you kings, goodbye…),” wrote local singer Johrné van Huyssteen on Twitter alongside a photo of himself and Piet.

Channel24 has reached out to Piet’s family for comment but didn’t receive any feedback by the time of publishing this article. Should the family release a statement this article will be updated with the relevant information.

A documentary about the life of Piet Botha is currently in production.

Piet, whose father Pik died on 12 October 2018, leaves behind three daughters, Robynne, Jessica, and Piya, as well as his brother Roelof, and sisters Anna Hertzog, and Lien Botha.