Leon Botha (4 June 1985 – 5 June 2011) was a South African painter and disk jockey. He was known for his close association with the hip hop group Die Antwoord, as well as for being the second of the world's longest-lived persons with progeria before Sammy Basso who was one of the oldest known survivors of the disease.Staff report (14 January 2010). Transcend and Transgress, Mail & Guardian
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 at the Tygerberg Art Centre, 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.Sampson, Lin (17 October 2009). "Coming of Age: Cover Story", The Times
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.van Zyl, Peter (11 January 2007). Art from my hip-hop heart. YOU 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.Scholtz, Vennessa (18 January 2007). Leon uses the paintbrush as a 'weapon.' Tygertalk Harris, Simone. Leon Botha: Time to work. HYPE magazine (South Africa) 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!"Peters, Melanie (11 April 2009). Progeria victim finds life in art. Independent on Saturday, South Africa
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.Clifford-Holmes, Lauren (15 January 2010). The Fibre of Reality, Mail & Guardian 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."Clark, Gordon, and Leon Botha (2010). "Who Am I? ...Transgressions" via YouTube
Botha was also engaged in deejaying and turntablism under the name DJ Solarize.Music (6 June 2011). Leon Botha Passes at 26 Years Young. Dont Party Barshad, Amos (2 March 2010). Mysterious Internet Sensation Die Antwoord on Why They’re For Real, Maybe. New York (accessed 20 March 2010). He was featured alongside Watkin Tudor Jones, aka Ninja, in the music video "Enter the Ninja" from Die Antwoord.*Niesner, Chase (19 February 2010). Thank God for Die Antwoord. Yale Daily News Jardin, Xeni (3 February 2010). Die Antwoord, S. African zef-rap, and Progeria survivor Leon Botha. Boing Boing Barna, Ben (26 August 2010). Straight Outta Cape Town, Die Antwoord Invades America. BlackBook Marchese, David (August 2010). Breaking Out: Die Antwoord, p. 50 SPIN.
In November 2010, Botha suffered a stroke.*Morris, Christopher (7 June 2011). DJ Leon Botha dies at 26. Variety Staff report (6 June 2011). Local artist dies. iAfrica Botha died from complications of progeria in Cape Town one day after his 26th birthday.Staff report (6 June 2011). Die Antwoord collaborator Leon Botha dies, age 26. Mail & Guardian Aboobaker, Shanti (7 June 2011). Cape DJ dies of Progeria. Independent Online
Botha was the inspiration for the one-act opera Solarize, by Marcin Stańczyk, libretto by Andrzej Szpindler, which debuted in Warsaw in April 2014 at Teatr Wielki, the Polish National Opera.
References
External links Leon Botha's profile from africanhiphop.com, at archive.org