Remembering MaBrrr - Thirteen Years Of Celebrating The Brenda Fassie Legacy

The Black Madonna will live on forever.
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Brenda Fassie has always been a South African style icon.
Leon Morris/Redferns

Whether you remember her as the Queen of African Pop; the Madonna of The Townships; or simply (and most affectionately) as MaBrrr, South African music legend Brenda Fassie was an icon of her time and her legacy lives on. Tuesday 9 May 2017 marks the 13th anniversary of her death and fans took to social media to commemorate the life of the no-holds-barred diva.

With a carefree attitude, can't-be-messed-with style and an unmatched reputation as an entertainer, Fassie embodied a spirit of defiance and resilience that many still draw inspiration from.

Singer and producer Thembisile Ntaka recently paid tribute to Fassie with a rendition of her hit, Too late for Mama, at the Amped Africa Talent auditions.

In an interview with HuffPost SA in April, R&B and house singer, Lungi Naidoo said as a young girl, she wanted to be Brenda Fassie.

"I always watched Brenda [Fassie] in awe. I wanted to be her when I grew up. MaBrrr was the reason I left the farms in KwaZulu-Natal to pursue my dreams of becoming a musician. I was so sad that by the time I arrived in Johannesburg, she was late and I never got to meet her," Naidoo said.

Media personality Maps Maponyane was amongst local celebrities who paid tribute to Fassie.

She is still able to fill a dance floor and fire up any party when hits like Weekend Special and Vuli Ndlela start playing and would undoubtedly be setting the South African style agenda if she was still with us. Below are 19 times she slayed the fashion game:

19 Times Brenda Fassie Slayed The Fashion Game
Brenda Fassie(01 of19)
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UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Brenda FASSIE (Photo by Leon Morris/Redferns) (credit:Leon Morris via Getty Images)
Brenda Fassie in perfomance(02 of19)
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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: A picture taken 08 September 2003 shows Brenda Fassie pop star performing in Johannesburg. AFP PHOTO/ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ALEXANDER JOE via Getty Images)
Brenda Fassie the entertainer(03 of19)
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UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Brenda FASSIE (Photo by Leon Morris/Redferns) (credit:Leon Morris via Getty Images)
Brenda Fassie(04 of19)
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SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 4 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Brenda Fassie posing for the camera in her swimsuit on October 4, 1987. (Photo by Joe Sefale / Sunday Times / Gallo Images / Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Brenda Fassie sings for democracy(05 of19)
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African National Congress (ANC) President Thabo Mbeki (L) sings and dances March 28 with local musician Brenda Fassie during the launch of the elections campaign in Soweto, for the second democratic election on June 2. JN/AS (credit:Reuters Photographer / Reuters)
Brenda Fassie in concert(06 of19)
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South African music legend in concert. (credit:Gallo Images)
The people's princess of pop(07 of19)
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A December 11, 2001 file photo shows South African singer Brenda Fassie performing in Nairobi. F REUTERS/Antony Njuguna JDP (credit:Reuters Photographer / Reuters)
Brenda Fassie(08 of19)
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Brenda Fassie often known as MaBrrr, sculpted the pop culture of South Africa. (credit:IMAGES24.com)
Brenda Fassie the fashionista(09 of19)
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Brenda Fassie was known for her striking fashion sense and energetic performances. (credit:IMAGES24.com)
Music legends, Brenda Fassie and Rebecca Malope(10 of19)
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Music legends, Brenda Fassie and Rebecca Malope hold a baby together. (credit:IMAGES24.co.za)
Brenda Fassie strikes a pose(11 of19)
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(credit:IMAGES24.com)
Brenda Fassie - the mother(12 of19)
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Brenda Fassie stands with her son Bongani Fassie. (credit:Gallo)
Brenda Fassie in concert(13 of19)
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Brenda Fassie in concert (credit:Gallo Images)
(14 of19)
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(15 of19)
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(16 of19)
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(credit:Gallo Images)
(17 of19)
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(credit:Gallo Images)
(18 of19)
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(credit:IMAGES24.com)
(19 of19)
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(credit:IMAGES24.com)