One of the legendary gospel singers Deborah Fraser has died at age 56 after suffering a stroke. Fraser, was rushed to the hospital during the week when her health deteriorated and she suffered a stroke. The gospel singer died at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Her passing was confirmed by Joy Mbewana, president of the Cultural and Creative Industries of SA (CCIFSA), and also later confirmed by a family friend who was present at the hospital when Fraser was declared dead. “Debra has died. Her body is being moved as we speak to the mortuary of the hospital,” the friend said.

It is said that the gospel singer was also in hospital around April, Mbewana says “after she came out of hospital early in April, Silapha Wellness programme organised a psychologist for her and she told me that she wanted to go with me to those sessions. She wanted to get better so that she can start working. But things got worse last week when she suffered a stroke. I am hurt because she wanted to share her experience as a woman in the music industry with young artists.”

“Debra was a talented artist and we are not going to hear that velvet voice again. She had her own unique voice. She was kind-hearted and always willing to help people. She was concerned that many artists were struggling and not making any income.”

According to her friends, Fraser, had been critically ill for the past seven days. The singer who is known for hits like Abanye Bayombona and Hamba Sathane has been struggling with diabetes for years. In February this year, she spent weeks at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. After she recovered from the serious diabetic attack she could not walk and had to be confined to a wheelchair, while she also struggled with night blindness or dizziness.