Every year, South Africa mourns the loss of game-changers, politicians, history-makers, and celebrities. This year, like other years, has been tough as the country mourned some of its legends and A-listers from the entertainment industry and politics. In December alone, we lost singer Zahara, playwright Mbongeni Ngema and former Umhlobo Wenene disc jockey KCi August. We look back at the influential people we lost this year.
MBONGENI NGEMA: 1955-2023
South African playwright, composer, director, and actor best known for his work in musical theatre Mbongeni Ngema died in a car crash on Wednesday while returning from a funeral in the Eastern Cape. The 68-year-old musician started his career as a backing guitarist at the theatre and gained international recognition for being the creator of the play Sarafina. The musical featured Hollywood actress Whoopi Goldberg addressing the struggles of Black South Africans during apartheid. Ngema was described by the Minister of Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa as a global icon who used theatre to dismantle apartheid. He will be buried on Friday in KwaZulu Natal.
BULELWA 'ZAHARA' MKUTUKWANA: 1987-2023
Like most talented musicians, Zahara began her music career in church before breaking into mainstream music. Born in an informal settlement called Phumlani outside East London in the Eastern Cape, she started performing as a solo act at her primary school at the age of 8 before she was discovered by former music executive TK Nciza in 2010 while performing on the streets of East London with her guitar. Zahara's debut album Loliwe was released in 2011 and at first issued by distribution company EMI. Loliwe was sold out within 72 hours, reaching a gold status. Within a month, the album produced by the late Robbie "Insimbi" Malinga had sold more than 200,000 copies. It reached double platinum status and made Zahara one of the most sought-after musicians in the country and the continent. She died in hospital earlier this month from liver complications.
PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI: 1928-2023
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader, who served as democratic South Africa's first Minister of Home Affairs, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi passed on at the age of 95 after being in and out of medical facilities. His stay at the hospital was prolonged after he was accidentally burnt by hot water while in his ICU. He was a Zulu Monarch prime minister since 1954 serving under King Cyprian Bhekuzulu then King Goodwill Zwelithini and later King Misuzulu kaZwelithini Zulu until his passing in September.
CHEF LENTSWE BHENGU: 1986-2023
Renowned chef and TV personality Lentswe died in February after a short illness at 37 years old. His sister, Swankie Mafoko recalled how he had been complaining of stomach cramps and how he was in extreme pain before his passing. "He had been complaining about a stomachache. This drained him because he wasn't eating or drinking anything. He also had an unexplainable pain in the back," Swankie revealed at the funeral.
MARK PILGRIM: 1969-2023
Radio and TV broadcaster Mark Pilgrim died on 5 March after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer that spread to his femur, the base of his spine, and lymph nodes. The first time, he was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer was in 1988, which he beat. In 2008, he suffered a severe heart attack which caused permanent heart damage. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he won the battle against corona and pneumonia.
ZOLEKA MANDELA:1980-2023
Authorband activist Zoleka Mandela, the grandchild of the first black South African President, Nelson Mandela and struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela Mandela passed on after a long battle with cancer. Zoleka was hopeful about one day recovering, however, her latest CT scan showed that she had blood clots as well as fibrosis in her lung. Zoleka's family announced her passing in a statement on Winnie Madikizela's birthday, saying that Zoleka passed away surrounded by family and close friends on Monday 19 September 2023. Zoleka fought a brave fight since she was diagnosed with cancer 11 years ago. Zoleka had been preparing her family and mostly children for her passing one day.
GLORIA BOSMAN: 1973-2023
She was a distinguished jazz singer, teacher, and composer whose music crossed shores. Gloria Bosman died at the age of 50 from a short respiratory illness on 14 March 2023. South African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), said," She left a lasting legacy with her brilliant catalogue and significant contributions to the South African music industry.: Born in Soweto, the Amaqwathi singer was adored for her versatile sound and her ability to sing across various genres. The award-winning singer also served on the SAMRO board as a non-executive member for a short time.
COSTA TITCH:1995-2023
Rapper Costa Titch died at the age of 28 just after signing a major deal with Senegalese-American star, Akon. Costa died after collapsing on stage during a performance at a music festival, Ultra South Africa in Johannesburg. Costa's family held a private funeral and later a public memorial service in Johannesburg and Mpumalanga, his hometown. Costa Titch released his debut album titled Made in Africa in 2020 where he collaborated with rappers AKA and Ricky Rick and Boity. The album earned him three nominations at the South African Hip Hop Awards in 2020 and he won the best collaboration for Nkalakatha remix. His other track on the same album Big Flexa broke the record for the most viewed Amapiano music video on YouTube in 2022. The song also earned seven nominations at the All Africa Music Awards last year.
VUSI MA R5: 1988-2023
He was one of the pioneers of the Barcardi music genre. Vusi Ma R5, real name is Itumeleng Mosoeu was shot and killed after his performance at a club called Legentsheng in Soshanguve. According to a police report, Vusi Ma R5 was sitting with his friends outside a tavern at extension 13, outside Legentsheng, in Soshanguve. He went across the road to the car and others allegedly just heard gunshots, and when they went to investigate, they found the victim lying on the ground. Vusi Ma R5's death came only two months after a fellow Pretoria artist, DJ Sumbody was murdered in a hail of bullets last year.
PATRICK NDLOVU:1938-2023
Veteran actor, Patrick Ndlovu died at 84 years old. He was best known for his role as Sizwe Moloi in the drama series Zone 14 and as the principal, Mr Mthembu, in the popular television series Yizo Yizo. Patrick died of natural causes in May. His acting career as a seasoned actor spans more than four decades. In 2018, he won the Best Supporting Actor in a Featured Film for his role in Knuckle City.
AZIZ PAHAD:1940-2023
Former anti-apartheid activist, Aziz Pahad died in September at the age of 82. The former deputy minister of the Department of Foreign Affairs was a also member of the ANC's National Peace Executive Committee in 1991 and 1992. He served as a member of the Transitional Executive Council's sub-committee on foreign affairs in 1994 and the ANC's national executive committee between 1985 and 2007. In 2014, he published a memoir tittled, Insurgent Diplomant. He died two months after his brothers Essop and Junaid. The patriot and freedom fighter is survived by his wife Angina Pahad. President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a consummate diplomat.
TINA JOEMAT-PETTERSSON:1963-2023
As a youth, she was an active member of the Azanian Students Organisation between 1985 and 1986. She lectured English at the University of Free State in 1993. Tina Joemat-Pettersson became a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Northern Cape in 1994. Following the 2009 general elections, Joemat-Pettersson entered the National Assembly and was later appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. After the 2014 general elections, she became the Minister of Energy, a position she held until a reshuffle in March 2017. She died in June amid claims that she was one of three ANC Members of Parliament, who solicited a bribe from suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's husband. A case of inquest was opened by her family after they did not believe she died from natural causes. Joemat-Pettersson was a committee member for Section 194 Enquiry into the removal of former Public Protector advocate, Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
KIERNAN 'AKA' FORBES: 1988-2003
On Saturday 10 February 2023, rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes; lost his life in a tragic shooting outside a Durban restaurant. The police said in a report that AKA had been walking to his car shortly after 10 pm when two armed people approached from across the street and fired several shots at close range before fleeing. The award-winning rapper's murder case is still under investigation. Police had been waiting for the ballistics tests to be conducted on a firearm found in Umlazi, Durban. With steady progress, they are adamant about getting to the bottom of the case.
TEBELLO 'TIBZ' MONTSOANE: 1982-2023
Celebrity chef died while embracing his friend and rapper AKA outside a Florida road restaurant. KwaZulu Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla
Mkhwanazi said the investigation is still pending.
EUSEBIUS MCKAISER:1978-2023
Author, broadcaster, and celebrated analyst Eusebius McKaiser (44) died in May after suffering a suspected epileptic seizure. His family said his death was unexpected and came as a shock. Born in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown). He studied towards a BA in law and philosophy at Rhodes University before going to Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. He was a political activist and social analyst at the Wits Centre for Ethics. In 2010, at the age of 32, Eusebius made it to the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans list. He also became the World Masters Debate Champion in 2011 and won the Rhodes University Emerging Old Rhodian Award in 2012. He is the author of A Bantu in My Bathroom!: Debating Race, Sexuality and Other Uncomfortable South African Topics, Could I Vote DA?: A Voter's Dilemma and Run Racist Run: Journeys into the Heart of Racism.
DEREK WATTS: 1948-2023
Veteran journalist and TV presenter, Derek Watts, died in August after a long battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2022 which later spread to his lungs through time. In March, he was admitted to hospital after suffering a suspected stroke and was subsequently diagnosed with severe sepsis. Derek has been working at Carte Blanche for 35 years and in July, announced his retirement.
BONGINKOSI NTULI:1991-2023
AmaZulu Football Club forward Bonginkosi Ntuli passed away at 32 years old, two months after his wedding to Snenjabulo Zungu, after a short battle with cancer. His family had initially thought was a fever, which turned out to be advanced lung cancer. Ntuli had five children. He was rushed to hospital after complaining about chest pains before succumbing to his illness on November 5, which was then revealed to be cancer. Ntuli made his debut at Golden Arrows in January 2012 and moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2014. He later joined AmaZulu on loan in 2015 and moved to Platinum Stars in the same year where he stayed until 2018. He joined AmaZulu in 2018 as a striker and stayed at the team until his ultimate passing in on 5 November.
