Leon Botha

Leon Botha
Born	4 June 1985(1985-06-04) Cape Town, South Africa
Died	5 June 2011(2011-06-05) (aged 26) Cape Town
Occupation	Painter, entertainer
Years active	2007-2011
Website
leonbotha.net

Leon Botha (4 June 1985 – 5 June 2011^[1]) was a South African painter, and musical performer,^[2] as well as one of the world's oldest survivors of progeria.^[3]

Biography

Botha was born in Cape Town, South Africa and lived there until his death. He was diagnosed with progeria around the age of 4 years. He had no formal training in art beyond high school courses, but became a full-time painter after graduation, doing commissioned works.

In 2005, Botha successfully underwent heart bypass surgery to prevent a heart attack due to progeria-related atherosclerosis.^[4] In January 2007, Botha had his first solo art exhibition, entitled "Liquid Sword; I am HipHop", revolving around hip-hop culture as a way of life.^[5] It took place at the Rust-en-Vrede (which translates to Rest and Peace) gallery in Durbanville and was opened by Mr Fat of the South African Hip Hop group Brasse Vannie Kaap.^[6][7] His second solo exhibition opened in March 2009 and featured pieces of the artist's life. Botha was asked if the title "Liquid Swords; Slices of Lemon" referred to the adage "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Botha said no, adding, "Lemons? I slice 'em and serve 'em back!"^[8]

In January 2010 he hosted the first exhibit of "Who Am I? ...Transgressions", a photo collaboration with Gordon Clark, at the João Ferreira Gallery in Cape Town.^[9] Botha said of the exhibition, "I am a spiritual being, the same as you, primarily. Then I'm a human being and this part of the human being is the body, which has a condition."^[10]

Botha was also engaged in deejaying and turntablism under the name DJ Solarize.^[11][12] He was featured alongside Watkin Tudor Jones, aka Ninja, in the music video "Enter the Ninja" from Die Antwoord.^{[13][14][15][16]}

In November 2010, Botha suffered a stroke.^[17][18] Botha died from complications of progeria in Cape Town one day after his 26th birthday.^[19][20]

References

1. ^ Staff report (6 June 2011). Die Antwoord-video-platejoggie, oorlede News24
2. ^ Staff report (8 July 2008). Catch hip-hop and its elements in all their glory. Tonight (South Africa)
3. ^ Staff report (14 January 2010). Transcend and Transgress, Mail & Guardian
4. ^ Sampson, Lin (17 October 2009). "Coming of Age: Cover Story", The Times (South Africa)
5. ^ van Zyl, Peter (11 January 2007). Art from my hip-hop heart. YOU
6. ^ Scholtz, Vennessa (18 January 2007). Leon uses the paintbrush as a 'weapon.' Tygertalk
7. ^ Harris, Simone. Leon Botha: Time to work. HYPE magazine (South Africa)
8. ^ Peters, Melanie (11 April 2009). Progeria victim finds life in art. Independent on Saturday, South Africa
9. ^ Clifford-Holmes, Lauren (15 January 2010). The Fibre of Reality, Mail & Guardian
10. ^ Clark, Gordon, and Leon Botha (2010). "Who Am I? ...Transgressions" via YouTube
11. ^ Music (6 June 2011). Leon Botha Passes at 26 Years Young. Dont Party
12. ^ Barshad, Amos (2 March 2010). Mysterious Internet Sensation Die Antwoord on Why They’re For Real, Maybe. New York (accessed 20 March 2010).
13. ^ Niesner, Chase (19 February 2010). Thank God for Die Antwoord. Yale Daily News
14. ^ Jardin, Xeni (3 February 2010). Die Antwoord, S. African zef-rap, and Progeria survivor Leon Botha. Boing Boing
15. ^ Barna, Ben (26 August 2010). Straight Outta Cape Town, Die Antwoord Invades America. BlackBook
16. ^ Marchese, David (August 2010). Breaking Out: Die Antwoord, p. 50 SPIN.
17. ^ Morris, Christopher (June 7, 2011). DJ Leon Botha dies at 26. Variety
18. ^ Staff report (6 June 2011). Local artist dies. iAfrica
19. ^ Staff report (6 June 2011). Die Antwoord collaborator Leon Botha dies, age 26. Mail & Guardian
20. ^ Aboobaker, Shanti (June 7, 2011). Cape DJ dies of Progeria. Independent Online

External links

• Leon Botha's official website
• Leon Botha's profile via africanhiphop.com

Persondata
Name	Botha, Leon
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	4 June 1985
Place of birth	Cape Town, South Africa
Date of death	5 June 2011
Place of death	Cape Town