Gay rights activist and musician Koyo Bala passes on after succumbing to anal cancer

SOUTH African gay rights activist and musician Koyo Bala has passed away at the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town after succumbing to death from cancer of the anus after a lengthy battle with the ailment.

 

Mr Bala, 36, was part of gay pop trio 3Sum, made up of himself‚ Amstel Maboa and the late Jeff Moyo, who had fought passionately for gay rights in the country. Mr Moyo died in 2010‚ reportedly from a HIV/Aids-related illness, leaving Mr Maboa as the only surviving member of the band still alive.

 

Over the last three years, Mr Bala has fought bravely against cancer but last week, he finally succumbed, passing away surrounded by his three sisters. In 2011‚ he publicly disclosed that he was HIV-positive, a decision that cost him some work.

 

In 2014 he was diagnosed with anal cancer and last year he decided to move back to South Africa where he started chemotherapy. He widely shared pictures of his treatment with his social media followers, posting images‚ videos and messages.

 

His last tweet about his illness was in February and it read: “I pray 2 God everyday 2 help me pass this cancer #itshard#pains#wontgiveup#canwinthisbattle#cantsleepofpains.”