South Africa’s entertainment industry, this year has experienced several deaths, from screen actors to those behind the scenes.
Boxing icon Dingaan Thobela in April died after an illness at the age of 57. Thobela’s death was confirmed by childhood friend Eddie Mutungutungu, who said the alarm was raised when his family struggled to get in contact with him.
In May, actor Mpho Sebeng died in a car accident, following a car crash around Klerksdorp. He made his television debut in the SABC drama series, ‘Justice for All’, he later became a household name for his role in Mzansi Magic drama, ‘Ring of Lies’, which earned him a Best Actor Safta nomination in 2018.
He also appeared on Netflix’s ‘Savage Beauty’, ‘The Brave Ones’, ‘Miseducation', Mzansi Magic’s ‘The Queen’, ‘The Throne’ and ‘Scandal’.
In July, musicians Lizwi Wokuqala, and Malome Vector and music video director Musa Damos Nkodo died in a car accident while travelling to Lesotho from Gauteng to shoot a music video.
In August legendary actress Connie Chiume known for her roles on “Gomora" and “Black Panther” died. While fans were still dealing with that loss, Crown Gospel Awards founder Zanele Mbokazi also passed away.
Women’s Month ended on a sad note, with the deaths of two prominent entertainers; Radio and TV personality Thabiso Sikwane and praise poet and singer Jessica Mbangeni.
In September news broke of the death of actor Darlington “Papa G” Michaels, celebrated actor Sello Motloung, kwaito star Sandile Ngwenya, known to his fans as Mapaputsi. Musician, actor and director, Timmy Kwebulana, passed away after a short illness in September. The Kwebulana family confirmed his death through a statement.
In October, former South African Finance Minister and Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Titus Mboweni, died at the age of 65. He passed away in a Johannesburg hospital, surrounded by his loved ones.
Legendary gospel artist Solly Moholo also died in October after falling ill in August after collapsing on stage during his album tour in Botswana.
Radio station Umhlobo Wenene FM confirmed that Pastor Nomonde Patience Vakalisa died in the early hours of December 4.
The world was also shocked by the deaths of international stars such as American record producer and composer Quincy Jones at the age of 91, musician Liam Payne sent shockwaves across the world following his untimely death after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.
IOL Entertainment