Rudi Claase on Laataand by Rian: ‘The Lord had to physically kill me to let me live’
Singer and songwriter Rudi Claase has been in the music industry for 25 years, but these days he’s in the news because of his health struggles. There have been many other storms in his life too, but Rudi appears to be happy. He joined Rian van Heerden on Laataand by Rian this week.
Rudi spoke frankly about how he is really doing and admitted that his health plays a major role in his daily well-being. His mindset, however, remains positive and focused on moving forward.
Rudi said, he was never truly prepared for the realities of fame, but over time, he realised that public attention is inevitable if you choose to live in the spotlight. He believes one has to accept both the good and the bad of fame as a package.
The conversation also touched on a more unusual side of his personality when he talked about his early interest in graveyards – places he described as quiet and free from the noise of the world.
Rian and Rudi also spoke about his successful singing career with Corlea Botha, and Rian asked why they went their separate ways. Rudi replied:
“I have no idea. You’ll have to ask her. I last spoke to her 16 years ago.”
He admitted that he had tried to fix things but also revealed that they are not allowed to speak about each other in public due to a binding agreement.
The conversation then turned to Rudi’s health. Rian wanted to know why he had shared such private matters with the public.
“I’ve never abandoned the people. Even when I was left in certain spaces during my career, I didn’t leave the people. You also become very attached to the bond you have with the entertainment industry. And the moment that gets taken away, there’s a silence. And if you don’t stop yourself, you fill those silences with nonsense. I think oversharing is a thing, but now I can look back and think: ‘You know what, even if you were only semi-ready, at least here you are lying with a tube in your nose in hospital, praying for people.’ ”
Rudi said he has been ill for more or less the past ten years. He spent five years in and out of hospital and has been seriously ill for the past three years.
Rian wanted to know what was really ailing him, and Rudi explained:
“I was born with an appendix that burst when I was ten days old. I was a very sickly child. During Covid, I had a hernia. I had surgery, and a year later it tore again. Someone operated again, and after that I ended up with a surgeon who performed 14 operations in 90 days.”
When he woke up after the last operation, he was paralysed and could only move his eyes. He had to learn to walk and talk again and has only recently started practising singing again. He was also diagnosed a month ago with Cushing’s Syndrome – a tumour on the brain.
Rian then asked about the moment he was clinically dead for about 30 seconds. Rudi explained that his heart stopped after he was given medication he is allergic to.
“What I can tell you about that experience is that I have never in my life been as grateful for anything as for that half a minute when my heart stopped. Because if that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have had the eternal life in the Lord that I have today. The Lord had to physically kill me to let me live.”
Rian and Rudi also spoke about his wife, Suzette, and how she has supported him through everything. They have been married for ten years.
One of the biggest hits Rudi has written, is “Sewe Oseane”, which was made popular by Andriëtte Norman, and Andriëtte turned out to be his surprise guest. They spoke fondly about the song, and she shared how grateful she is that Rudi trusted her with it.
Laataand by Rian airs on kykNET (DStv Channel 144) on Tuesday nights at 21:00 from 7 April 2026. The episodes are also available on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
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