{{short description|South African artist (1985-2011)}} {{EngvarB|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Leon Botha | image = Leon Botha (cropped).jpg | caption = Leon Botha on 30 October 2009 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1985|6|4}} | birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2011|6|5|1985|6|4}} | death_place = Cape Town, South Africa | occupation = {{flatlist| * Painter * entertainer }} | years_active = 2007–2011 }}
'''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.<ref>Staff report (14 January 2010). [http://www.mg.co.za/multimedia/2010-01-14-transcend-and-transgress Transcend and Transgress], ''Mail & Guardian''</ref>
== 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.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}
In 2005, Botha successfully underwent heart bypass surgery to prevent a heart attack due to progeria-related atherosclerosis.<ref name="sampson2009">Sampson, Lin (17 October 2009). [https://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/article151275.ece "Coming of Age: Cover Story"], ''The Times''</ref>
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.<ref name="vanzyl2007">van Zyl, Peter (11 January 2007). Art from my hip-hop heart. ''YOU''</ref> 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.<ref> *Scholtz, Vennessa (18 January 2007). Leon uses the paintbrush as a 'weapon.' ''Tygertalk'' *Harris, Simone. [http://www.leonbotha.com/press/press4.html Leon Botha: Time to work.] ''[https://www.hypemagazine.co.za/ HYPE magazine]'' (South Africa)</ref> 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 Le<s>m</s>on"'' referred to the adage "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Botha said no, adding, "Lemons? I slice 'em and serve 'em back!"<ref name="peters2009">Peters, Melanie (11 April 2009). Progeria victim finds life in art. ''Independent on Saturday, South Africa''</ref>
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.<ref name="cliffordholmes2010">Clifford-Holmes, Lauren (15 January 2010). [https://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-01-15-the-fibre-of-reality The Fibre of Reality], ''Mail & Guardian''</ref> 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."<ref name="clark2010">Clark, Gordon, and Leon Botha (2010). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq2r2g4F5UQ "Who Am I? ...Transgressions"] via YouTube</ref>
Botha was also engaged in deejaying and turntablism under the name DJ Solarize.<ref> *Music (6 June 2011). [http://www.dontparty.co.za/2011/06/leon-botha-die-antwoord-passes-26/ Leon Botha Passes at 26 Years Young.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609073107/http://www.dontparty.co.za/2011/06/leon-botha-die-antwoord-passes-26/ |date=9 June 2011 }} Dont Party *Barshad, Amos (2 March 2010). [https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/03/mysterious_internet_sensation.html Mysterious Internet Sensation Die Antwoord on Why They’re For Real, Maybe.] ''New York'' (accessed 20 March 2010).</ref> He was featured alongside Watkin Tudor Jones, aka Ninja, in the music video "Enter the Ninja" from Die Antwoord.<ref>*Niesner, Chase (19 February 2010). [http://www.yaledailynews.com/scene/music/2010/02/19/thank-god-die-antwoord/ Thank God for Die Antwoord.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223060925/http://www.yaledailynews.com/scene/music/2010/02/19/thank-god-die-antwoord/ |date=23 February 2010 }} ''Yale Daily News'' *Jardin, Xeni (3 February 2010). [http://m.boingboing.net/2010/02/03/more-on-die-antwoord.html Die Antwoord, S. African zef-rap, and Progeria survivor Leon Botha.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723032839/http://m.boingboing.net/2010/02/03/more-on-die-antwoord.html |date=23 July 2011 }} ''Boing Boing'' *Barna, Ben (26 August 2010). [http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/straight-outta-cape-town-die-antwoord-invades-america/21796 Straight Outta Cape Town, Die Antwoord Invades America.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825113407/http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/straight-outta-cape-town-die-antwoord-invades-america/21796 |date=25 August 2011 }} ''BlackBook'' *Marchese, David (August 2010). Breaking Out: Die Antwoord, p. 50 ''SPIN''.</ref>
In November 2010, Botha suffered a stroke.<ref>*Morris, Christopher (7 June 2011). [https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118038184?refCatId=16 DJ Leon Botha dies at 26.] ''Variety'' *Staff report (6 June 2011). [http://entertainment.iafrica.com/music/news/732720.html Local artist dies.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203010226/http://entertainment.iafrica.com/music/news/732720.html |date=3 February 2014 }} iAfrica</ref> Botha died from complications of progeria in Cape Town one day after his 26th birthday.<ref> *Staff report (6 June 2011). [https://mg.co.za/article/2011-06-06-die-antwoord-collaborator-leon-botha-dies-age-26/ Die Antwoord collaborator Leon Botha dies, age 26.] ''Mail & Guardian'' *Aboobaker, Shanti (7 June 2011). [http://www.iol.co.za/tonight/news/local/cape-dj-dies-of-progeria-1.1079648 Cape DJ dies of Progeria.] ''Independent Online''</ref>
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.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120225045337/http://www.africanhiphop.com/archive/index.php?module=subjects&func=viewpage&pageid=266 Leon Botha's profile] from africanhiphop.com, at archive.org *{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Botha, Leon}} Category:1985 births Category:2011 deaths Category:Culture of Cape Town Category:Afrikaner people Category:Musicians from Cape Town Category:South African DJs Category:South African male painters Category:People with progeria Category:Deaths from genetic disorders