Top 10 Interesting Facts about Leon Botha

Leon Botha By Dplanet – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Leon Botha

The fourth of June, 1985, saw the birth of Leon Botha. His collaboration with the rap group Die Antwoord has made him a well-known Disk Jockey and visual artist from South Africa.

He had progeria, a rare medical ailment, which caused him to pass away on June 5th, 2011. South Africa’s Cape Town is where Leon Botha was born and where he spent his whole life. He was given a progeria diagnosis when he was 4 years old.

He however went on to become a prosperous painter who lived off the sales of his works. His biography served as the inspiration for the drama “Solarize,” which made its Polish National Opera debut in April 2014.

Now let’s look at the top 10 interesting facts about Leon Botha.

1. Born in Cape Town, South Africa

Capetown by Frankie Jordan from Pixabay

Leon Botha was born on 4th June 1985 in Cape Town, South Africa. Around the age of 4, a progeria diagnosis was made for him.

Progeria is a progressive genetic disorder where symptoms of aging are manifested at an early stage. This results in slowed growth, hair loss, and high-pitched voice.

Leon Botha is part of a Millennial Generation (also known as Generation Y). A generation known as the Millennials grew up with computers, the internet, and social media.

They tend to be self-assured and accepting of differences. This is because they were taught to “follow your ambitions” and were made to feel exceptional. He acknowledged his appreciation for his parent’s decision to raise him out of the harsh spotlight of the media.

2. Had No Formal Training in Art Beyond High School Courses

Aside from high school studies at the Tygerberg Art Centre, Leon Botha had no official training in arts. However, after graduating he started working as a full-time painter on commissioned works.

3. He Owns the Artwork Exhibition; “Liquid Swords; I Am Hip Hop”

Photo Of an Art Exhibition by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Botha held his first solo art exhibition, titled “Liquid Sword; I am HipHop,” in January 2007. It revolved around hip-hop culture as a way of life.

It happened at the Durbanville gallery called Rust-en-Vrede, which means Rest and Peace. Mr. Fat of the South African hip hop group Brasse Vannie Kaap gave the opening speech. In March 2009, his second solo exhibition, which included works from the artist’s life, opened.

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” and added, “Lemons? I cut them up and serve them back.”

4. In 2010 He Hosted the First Exhibit Of “Who Am I? Transgressions”

He organized the opening of Who Am I? Transgressions. It was a photo collaboration with Gordon Clark, in January 2010 at the João Ferreira Gallery in Cape Town.

Regarding the display, Botha stated, “I am primarily a spiritual person like you. I am a human being, and my body, which is a part of a human being, has a condition.”

5. Leon Botha’s Zodiac Sign Is Gemini

Gemini is Leon Botha’s horoscope sign. Astrologers claim that Gemini is an outspoken and witty sign. It stands for two distinct personalities combined into one, and you never know which one you’ll encounter.

They tend to become serious, reflective, and restless abruptly but are social, conversational, and up for some fun. In the Year of the Ox, Leon Botha was born.

The Ox is a strong Chinese zodiac sign that is also steady, sturdy, goal-oriented, detail-oriented, hard-working, serious, and introverted. It however can also experience loneliness and insecurity.

6. His life inspired the play “Solarize”

Opera by TravelCoffeeBook from Pixabay

The one-act opera Solarize by Marcin Stanczyk, with a text by Andrzej Spindler, was inspired by Leon Botha. It debuted in Warsaw in April 2014 at Teatr Wielki, the Polish National Opera.

7. He Was Associated with The Band Die Antwoord

Die Antwoord performing in 2010 – By Fred von Lohmann – Wikipedia

Botha was also engaged in deejaying and turntablism. As a musician and artist, Botha toured under the moniker DJ Solarize before joining forces with Cape Town electro-rap outfit Die Antwoord.

Die Antwoord is a South African alternative hip hop group formed in Cape Town in 2008. Their brand is centered on the zef movement, a South African counterculture movement. 

He was featured alongside Watkin Tudor Jones, aka Ninja, in the music video “Enter the Ninja” from Die Antwoord.  Leon Botha also opened several of the group’s shows with a solo DJ set.

8. Mindful of The Value of The Internet as A Reflection on Human Life

Yo-Landi of the Die Antwoord, through an interview, admitted that she became aware of Leon through his appearance in some of Die Antwoord’s early music videos.

She added that they ended up becoming internet pen-pals of a sort. She said that one day over email Leon shared with her that the passing mentions of him that existed on Wikipedia were upsetting.

He had been mentioned only on the page for Die Antwoord, and under the page for the disease he had, progeria. She added that he was paranoid that his art wouldn’t be on Wikipedia in case something happened to him.

He wanted to be understood as a complex, self-determined, thoughtful creator and connector, and thinker. Not as a disease, and not as a footnote in someone else’s better-known story.

He wanted to be known for who he was while he was alive. He wanted us to respect him, and his work, after he was gone.”, she added.

9. In 2005, He Underwent Heart Bypass Surgery

In 2005, Botha successfully underwent heart bypass surgery to prevent a heart attack due to progeria-related atherosclerosis. However, a stroke struck Botha in November 2010.

10. Leon Botha Died On 5th June 2011

One day after turning 26 years old, Botha passed away in Cape Town from progeria complications. He ended up becoming one of the world’s longest-lived persons with progeria.

Like many famous people and celebrities, Leon Botha kept his personal life private. Both he and activist Sam Berns were well-known progeria patients.