His work speaks for itself and over two decades, he has told African stories. Teboho Mahlatsi (49) and his partners in the film set the bar high when they depicted township and rural life in a way like no other, making it fashionable and beautiful to be black. The film industry is saddened as they mourn the loss of filmmaker Teboho after his family confirmed his passing on 3 July after falling ill. "It is with the saddest regret that we announce the untimely passing of Filmmaker & Producer - Teboho Moseling Mahlatsi, on the 3rd of July 2023. In lieu of personal condolences, the family kindly requests prayers and that they be given privacy to mourn and come to terms with the tragic loss. Further details will be communicated in due time."

TWO DECADES OF HARD WORK

Teboho’s work spans over two decades. After he graduated from the Africa Cultural Centre Film & Television Course and then spent five years working as a screenwriter. He has written, produced, and directed many projects, including the documentary Ghetto Diaries, and the highly controversial television series Yizo Yizo, winning Best Director and Best Drama Series at the Avanti Awards (South Africa’s equivalent to the Emmys). His short film Portrait of a Young Man Drowning won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1999. The following year he completed a short television series, Ungshaya Ding Dong. His other works include A-Z ?" A Commentary on Post-Apartheid South Africa, Meokgo and the Stick Fighter (Sekalli le Meokgo ?" 2006). He has also directed numerous music videos. In 2018, at the USIBA Awards, hosted by former Arts and Culture minister, Nathi Mthethwa, Teboho was honoured for groundbreaking work in the Audiovisual and Creative field. He is a company director of The Bomb Shelter Film Company (Pty) Ltd.

TRIBUTES POUR IN

Stars remember his hard work and share their condolences with his family, friends, and colleagues.

Bubu Mazibuko

"This one too hurts! Tebogo, Barry Berk, and Angus Gibson were the first to make Great SA Television mainstream," she says. "They were the first to take me from theatre onto television. Teboho was Black Excellence! He truly did make good tv mainstream in SA. Go well my friend, I can’t believe you’re no longer with us Tebza! What terrible news to wake up to."

Donovan Goliath

"When I worked in advertising, I did everything I could to get to work with Teboho. After four years I finally got to shoot the first Nedbank Cup ad with him. What an incredibly kind, smart, impossibly creative gentleman. Your legacy will live on brother."

Thabang Moleya

"Rest easy brother. The first person to ever mentor me, the first time I saw someone and said ‘I want to be like that.’ Thank you for putting me under your wing. What a sad day. To the legend."

Bomb Productions Team

"Teboho Moseling Mahlatsi - A 27 year tribute. That’s how long we have travelled this crazy road called filmmaking together. A lunch with three people that shared a vision for telling real South African stories that turned into a 27-year journey of creating magic together, creating work for thousands of people, opening doors, and building careers," the team shares. "Who can forget… The way you would jump up from the monitor after a rehearsal and gently give notes to the actors or crew? The way you would jog onto the stage to accept an award, rubbing your head, awkward with the applause? How you would find magic in the small details of a scene. The minutia most forget to notice?" The way you would fight for a junior member of the team to be seen and heard, even when the day was running away? That amongst many accolades you were the first black South African director to win a prestigious Venice Film Festival Silver Lion award, and then go on to chair the jury a few years later? The pride and joy that shone out of you when you told us you and Palesa were getting married? How you loved your children more than anything? All the passion and love you had for filmmaking were pale in comparison to how you love your kids and family. Your swag? The immaculate suits. The beautiful shoes. The elegant way you would wear casual clothes. The symbolism in all your films, or collection of scenes? The spinning BMW. The cross dangling from the mirror. The unseen in society featured a moment of beauty. There are so many memories we share of you with hundreds of actors, crew, post-prod, clients and colleagues. Your legacy is huge and deep and beautiful. You sent a message to young black South Africans ‘Your dreams of being a world-class director are valid. No matter where you come from.’ Your memory will live on consciously and unconsciously in SA film for decades to come. Our love and condolences to your family and friends in this sad time. Teboho Moseling Mahlatsi 29.12.71 - 03.07.2023."