Leon Botha – Biography, Age, Career and Death

Leon Botha was a South African painter, artist and DJ, best remembered for his connection with the hip hop group Die Antwoord. As of his death, he was the oldest documented person to have lived with “progeria”, a rare genetic condition that causes rapid aging. Until the emergence of Sammy Basso, Leon was recognized as one of the longest-living people with the condition. Despite the challenges he faced, he continued to express himself through painting and music, leaving a lasting impression through both his work and public presence.

Biography

Leon Botha was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, where he spent his entire life. Diagnosed with progeria at around four years old, he lived with the condition while pursuing his passion for art. Although he had no formal art education beyond high school classes at Tygerberg Art Centre, he became a full-time painter after graduating, often taking on commissioned projects. 

In 2005, he underwent heart bypass surgery to reduce the risk of heart failure caused by atherosclerosis, a common complication of progeria. His first solo exhibition, titled Liquid Sword; I am HipHop, opened in January 2007 at the Rust-en-Vrede gallery in Durbanville and was inspired by hip-hop as a way of life. The show was launched by Mr Fat from the group Brasse Vannie Kaap. His second solo exhibition followed in March 2009, offering a deeper look into his personal journey. When asked if the title Liquid Swords; Slices of Lemon referenced the phrase “when life gives you lemons,” Leon responded, “Lemons? I slice ’em and serve ’em back!”

In early 2010, Leon collaborated with photographer Gordon Clark on a photo exhibition called Who Am I? Transgressions, which debuted at the João Ferreira Gallery in Cape Town. Reflecting on his work, Leon shared that he saw himself primarily as a spiritual being, then a human being—and that his physical condition was only one part of his existence.

Aside from painting, he also pursued music under the stage name DJ Solarize. He appeared in Die Antwoord’s music video Enter the Ninja, alongside rapper Ninja (Watkin Tudor Jones), further solidifying his connection with the group.

Leon suffered a stroke in November 2010 and passed away from complications related to progeria in Cape Town, just one day after his 26th birthday. His life and story inspired a one-act opera titled Solarize, composed by Marcin Stańczyk with a libretto by Andrzej Szpindler, which premiered in April 2014 at Teatr Wielki, the Polish National Opera in Warsaw.