South Africa has lost icons following a series of untimely deaths. This year, the entertainment industry lost many giants, actors, singers, politicians, and icons. ZiMoja remembers the fallen stars in a tribute to close off the year 2024.
MPHO SEBENG: 1993-2024
Former child star and actor Mpho Sebeng passed away in May this year following a tragic car accident. He had attended a gathering with friends when he drove off to meet up with his girlfriend and crashed. Mpho is the eldest of two children. Born in Soweto, he excelled in drama at the age of 17 He first appeared on TV at 12 years old Justice for All and Zero Tolerance. He then joined the children's show Craze. He has also acted in roles such as Bay of Plenty, Khandakulu, Scandal, the film" Winnie, Ring of Lies, and recently Savage Beauty and BritBox. In 2017, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor Nominee at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). In 2018 he was nominated for the South African Film and Television Awards for Best Male Actor in a telenovela.
PRAVIN GORDAN: 1949-2024
Former finance minister, Pravin Gordhan died at the age of 75 years old this year after a courageous battle with cancer and being hospitalized. The anti-apartheid struggle veteran played a major role in South Africa's transition to democracy. He occupied top government and administrative roles from the 1990s.
ZANELE MBOKAZI-NKAMBULE: 1971-2024
This Women's Month saw the passing of three prominent women in South Africa. One is Crown Gospel Award founder, radio host, and businesswoman Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule after a battle with cancer. Zanele passed on in the early hours of 12 August, at Parklands Hospital. Her husband Bishop Nkambule said she first fell ill in April and she was admitted to the hospital after her condition worsened. After an operation, Zanele experienced shortness of breath and doctors discovered she had lung cancer. In June, family, close friends, and colleagues organised an evening prayer event at the Sandton Assemblies of God Church in Sunninghill. This is after learning of her critical condition.
CONNIE CHIUME: 1952-2024
Award-winning Gomora and Black Panther actress Connie Chiume died at age 72. Her family announced the untimely passing on 6 August after being hospitalised at Garden City Hospital from an undisclosed illness. A force in the film world and internationally recognised, Chiume was best known for her starring role as upstanding church-goer Mamokete Khuse e.tv soapie Rhythm City. Mam Sonto on Gomora. She also starred on Zone 14, Soul City, and Mazinyo Dot Q to name a a few.
JESSICA MBANGENI: 1977-2024
Poet and singer Jessica Mbangeni also passed on at 47 years old after a short illness. The poet from the Eastern Cape was buried in her hometown of Ngqamakhwe and her burial was attended by friends, family, and industry colleagues dressed in traditional attire to bid her farewell.
THABISO SIKWANE:1974-2024
The family of DJ Fresh's ex-wife has confirmed the passing of radio broadcaster Thabiso Enid Sikwane. Thabiso was meant to host her 50th birthday celebration at a secret location with close friends and family when broadcaster and mom Thabiso Sikwane suddenly passed away. DJ Fresh explained that the nature of Thabiso's death was unforeseen and unclear and wanted to clear the air to avoid rumours and disinformation. He said her death could have been caused by a cardiac issue.
CHRIS APRIL:1941-2024
Veteran actor, Chris "Bra Spokes" April died on 31 March this year after robbers allegedly entered his house in Nyanga, Cape Town stealing valuable items and injuring the actor. Bra Chris is best known for his role as Sangoma in Leon Schuster's hilarious movie, Mama Jack, which was released in 2005. He also appeared in other movies like Blended (2014), Accidents (1989), and Zulu (2013). His daughter Tia Anan confirmed his passing when she shared a heartfelt message. ?Rest in power Daddy Chris "Bra Spokes" April. He was a father, uncle, role model, legendary actor, music influencer, teacher, he was an inspiration to everybody that he came in contact with."
DARLINGTON MICHAELS:1946-2024
Legendary actor Darlington Michaels, who is best known for playing the role of Georgie 'Papa G' Zamdela on SABC 3 soapie Isidingo passed away after a few years of being ill and he was admitted into Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto. Michaels had been complaining about his sickness and not being able to make a living as the industry had rejected him. The actor joined Isidingo in 1998 when the soapie first aired its first episode. His character was loved for his flamboyant shirts and speaking tsotsi taal. He began his acting career on stage under the guidance of the Father of Theatre, Gibson Kente. He also appeared in Chandies, a Mzansi Magic sitcom, in 2012. He played the role of a con artist Daliza in the sitcom.
SELLO MOTLOUNG: 1970-2024
Renowned actor Sello Motloung who appeared in internationally acclaimed movie Invictus, alongside American actors like Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon passed away before turning 55 years old on 4 November. The Meadowlands, Soweto-born actor is best known for his roles in TV dramas like Backstage, Ring of Lies The Wife and Mamello amongst many others.
SOLLY MOHOLO:1959-2024
Gospel singer and 65-year-old Solly Moholo passed away on Wednesday, 2 October after being hospitalised for more than two months after falling ill following his pre-album launch tour in Botswana. During the tour, he suffered a stroke and multiple organ failures, necessitating immediate and extensive medical intervention, including brain surgery. While in hospital, his management called for donations amounting to R700 K to cover the gospel singer's medical bills. He was buried at the Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria in a special provincial funeral service.
TIMMY KWEBULANA:1941-2024
Veteran actor Timmy Kwebulana was set to make a return on the movie, Homecoming, alongside long-term friend and renowned actress Thoko Ntshinga. But before the premiere of the movie, his family confirmed his passing after a short illness. Kwebulana was best known for his roles on Velaphi and Mazinyo Dot Q. He also played the character of Bra Vic Tau, the founder of Shooting Stars F.C., in the e.tv drama series Shooting Stars, sitcom Chandies, Isikizi, Stokvel, and Traffic to name a few.
MAPAPUTSI: 1976-2024
Kwaito musician Mapaputsi, real name Sandile Ngwenya, had fallen on hard times and had health issues which led him to be bedridden for some time before he passed away. The Izinja singer died in a hospital in KwaZulu Natal and was buried at Hroe's Acre in Johannesburg.
GENERAL CHISKOP:1975-2024
The last existing member of the Kwaito group Chiskop passed away this year. Siphiwe 'General GTZ' Sibisi passed away after a long battle with stomach cancer and battling some health complications after a botched operation in 2022. General GTZ was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and during an operation, he said in 2022 that he learned later that the doctors had allegedly cut the wrong tubes in his gut area, and that is when his health complications started. To add salt to the wound, he was struggling to make ends meet and pay for his medical bills. His family confirmed the passing in a statement. General GTZ was in the group Chiskop with the late Mduduzi "Mandoza" Tshabalala, Sizwe "Lollipop" Motaung, and Sibusiso "Bless" Thanjakwayo.
TITO MBOWENI:1959-2024
Former Minister and Governor of the Reserve Bank, Tito Mboweni passed on at 65 years old. President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Mboweni, saying that given his sense of vitality and energetic and affable engagement with fellow South Africans, his passing at 65 comes as a shock. "We have lost a leader and compatriot, who has served our nation as an activist, economic policy innovator, and champion of labour rights," President Ramaphosa said. Mboweni served as South Africa's Minister of Labour in the first democratically elected Cabinet. He also served as the South African Reserve Bank Governor from 1999 to 2009. His final official position in government was as the Minister of Finance from 2018 to 2021. He resigned from Parliament on 1 February 2022. "As Governor and Finance Minister, he had a sharp focus on fiscal discipline and economic transformation. Tito Mboweni distinguished himself in different strategic roles in the private sector and was a flag bearer in global forums for our economy and developing economies more broadly," the president added.
