One of South Africa's most popular singers, Brenda Fassie, has died in a Johannesburg's hospital aged 39. Fassie, known as the girl with the golden voice, was taken to the hospital two weeks ago with brain damage following a heart attack.

She had been at the forefront of South African music for some 20 years. Known for outbursts of temper and a long battle with drugs, she had many fans across Africa, including former South African leader, Nelson Mandela. The news of her death comes despite reports that she had appeared to respond to stimuli over the weekend.

Her family confirmed that she had suffered brain damage following a cardio-respiratory arrest. Known as ?the black Madonna?, Brenda Fassie shot to fame in the early 1980s with the hit Weekend Special. But she is as famous for her wild lifestyle as her singing talents. She has fought a long battle with drugs and had a series of public tantrums.

Despite being written off by critics numerous times, Fassie has a host of fans across Africa. When she sang at a concert marking the handover of power from former President Nelson Mandela to Thabo Mbeki, the cheers for Fassie were reported to be the loudest.