It’s never easy to receive news of someone’s passing, no matter how much older you get. Because you know how you feel at let’s say age 24 – the forever age of Afrikaans hip/hop, mumble rapper Angie Oeh.
I have never met Angie (real name Angelique Eurika Greeff), never have I seen her live. I would say her songs wouldn’t exactly get her on most of the festival circuits but she gained respect very soon from the big alternative guys like Jack Parow, Fokofpolisiekar etc. Although I couldn’t quite grasp her music, I did and respected her as an artist. Her cancer diagnosis was very sudden, stage 4 lung cancer, one that always means business.
According to the reports flooding the news agencies, she was admitted to Life Wilgers Hospital in Pretoria on Saturday where she passed away. The same hospital she was in where she received her diagnosis and treatments. She was with her girlfriend, mom and good friend, Peach van Pletzen when she was in her last moments.
In between last week and this week, it was just a rollercoaster for everyone on the outside so I can only imagine how the inside of her circle felt. The music community as well as average South Africans contributed to her Back-a-Buddy campaign to help raise funds to pay her medical bills. The harsh reality of being in the arts (music, acting etc). Thousands were raised and a benefit concert was put together – yet to happen in Pretoria. The sold out Francois van Coke en Vriende, which took place, on Friday 18 August, had special release tickets that all went to the Back-a-Buddy for Angie. In all, we were all hoping – those who have never met her and her family (both blood and music) – she was young. She’ll beat it. How many times did musicians like Oliva Newton-John fight cancer? And Kylile Minoqlue? So many people commented on public posts on social media, sharing their own stories of fighting and being in remission.
RIP Angie Oeh – Kitchen Dutch
Tonight, a Sunday that started normally quickly changed to disbelief and tears. I’m sad for her parents and family (she was very private), and her girlfriend whom I’m sure she loved deeply. Her manager Wynand Myburgh and his amazing team. Peach van Pletzen and her music family. Her fans.
We have her music, to remind us how kief she was. How alternative she was. We dupped her the Alternatief Queen. A crown she so richly deserves. May you wear it with pride sister. We’ll continue to fly the rainbow flag. We’ll continue the GBV fight you so hardly fought as well.
Rus vrede meisie.
Jys ‘n diamand.
