Popular group hit by tragedy
The South African tour of the popular group, The Vengaboys, was hit by tragedy when their sound engineer passed away after suffering a stroke during a performance at Carnival City earlier this month.
The well-known international group The Vengaboys, presently on tour through the country, has lost their sound engineer to a stroke during a performance at Carnival City earlier this month.
The 33-year-old Frank Bethlehem, from the Netherlands, collapsed during the group’s show on Friday evening, 12 December with a severe stroke.
The Vengaboys’ Tour Manager, Perry van Creij and Lefra Productions’s sound engineer, Shaun van Eck, immediately took over the show and the performance proceeded as usual.
Betlehem was stabilised by paramedics at Carnival City and was rushed to the Sunward Park Private Hospital where he was immediately admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Specialists and neurologists did their utmost best, but unfortunately Bethlehem passed away on Sunday, 14 December 2014.
The group is very shocked and sad about the passing away of Bethlehem, said Frans Swart, CEO of Lefra Productions and promoter of the tour.
Kim Sasabone, lead singer and founder member of The Vengaboys said that they are all very shocked about this tragic event.
“Frank toured with us for the last 15 years and he was like family to all of us. We can still not believe it happened. We decided to carry on with the two remaining shows in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in honour of our dear friend and colleague, Frank Bethlehem. He was also so passionate about his work and show business that we knew that he would have instructed us to carry on with the shows. This was a very difficult decision as we were all very emotional at that stage, but we also took this decision in conjunction with his wife and family.”
Kim and the rest of the group also wanted to thank all the medical personnel and the South African public for their support during this very difficult time.
Swart said he was in total shock about the passing away of Mr Bethlehem.
“I met him on the Tuesday evening when The Vengaboys arrived in the country and immediately liked him tremendously. I have the utmost respect for The Vengaboys for carrying on with their remaining shows in South Africa under very difficult circumstances and emotional times. I would also like to offer Lefra’s and South Africa’s sincere condolences to Mr Bethlehem’s family as well as to each and every member of The Vengaboys.
The Vengaboys did a very sincere and emotional rendition of the song, Forever as One during their performances in Cape Town and in Port Elizabeth in honour of Bethlehem.
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