Death has been around ever since the earth was formed, but every time someone dies, it is a very painful and unusual feeling that no one wants to be friends or experience, so losing someone close to you, a family member, friend, or even a role model can cause heartache.

With that being said, we can all agree that 2020 was not a great year for starters, then Covid-19 took over all our usual daily routines, we were closed like animals in our homes, and the worse of all, a lot of our close friends, family and role models passed away.

Talking about role models, many of them have been laid to rest as death took them while we still needed them, while their kids, families needed them.

Let’s take a look at SA celebrities that lost their lives last year.

Thandeka Mdeliswa

This one shocked the whole of Mzansi after it was confirmed that she died after she was shot at her home in Mpumalanga.

According to the news, she was going to check on what seemed to be a disagreement between her brother and the other two guys.It is said when she was approaching the other guy went for his friend’s gun and shot her dead.

Mary Twala

Mary Twala is a South African icon that we lost last year and as we all know she was the real meaning of talent.

Mary Twala, mother of Somizi Mhlongo left a legacy no one can erase.

Bob Mabena

Bob Mabena is a radio veteran who also died last year and his cause of death was said to be cardiac arrest.

He died known as the legendary radio personality.

V-Mash Mashego

Another shocking death of V-Mash which many would recall her from jam alley. She also passed away last year and it was said the reason of her death was natural causes.

Mshoza

Mshoza’s death shocked a lot of people as they never heard anything about her getting sick, but she was hospitalized and then declared dead as she was battling diabetes.

It is no secret that education is important in order to be successful in life, but some people argue that education does not only revolve around being in possession of a matric certificate.

Some of Mzansi’s renowned celebrities who don’t have matric, are an epitome of hard work pays off, and they have been able to carve out remarkable and successful careers in the world of the Arts without no formal education.

Their secret to success has purely been hard work and determination. Here are some of Mzansi’s celebs without matric who have become very successful in the country.

1 Somizi Mhlongo.

The all-round entertainer is one of the country’s most renowned celebs who have managed to build a successful career for himself in the entertainment industry without being in possession of a matric certificate.

The TV host dropped out of high school to pursue a career in acting when he was on Sarafina. Although he has had his fair share of criticism and encountered failure towards his journey to success, Somizi managed to rise beyond his wildest dreams and worked hard to achieved to his desired goal and now he is living his dream.

2. Prince Kaybee.

The award-winning DJ did not acquire his matric certificate because he was expelled, and he believes in focusing on the best you can ever be. The DJ has become a force to be reckoned with in the industry with hard work and being resilient.

3. Cassper Nyovest.

The rapper dropped out of high school at the age of 16. Even though Cassper does not have a matric certificate he believes he needed education because he wouldn’t be able to articulate himself or read.

4. Charlize Theron

The actress is not in possession of her matric certificate.

5. Dj Maphorisa.

The rapper dropped out of school in Grade 11 to pursue a career in dejaaying and he has achieved more more than what many can in their lifetime.

DJ Maphorisa is finally set to feed fans some music after announcing that his album is loading. The DJ has been on music tour for months and quite on the low, despite rumors of him narrowly escaping death.

“If it’s not music, then I am not talking,” that has been his attitude on social media of recent. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the music producer says “Madumane album is loading.”

This news has kept lots of fans and celebrity excited. However, he is yet to officially announce the release date.

To all the sermons preached this Easter weekend, Somizi wants to add a lesson from his own life about not giving up.

Somizi, who has been open about his tale of coming out stronger after losing it all, recently shared with Metro FM listeners how he was at his lowest but never gave up.

The star recounted how he once auditioned for the South African Music Awards (Samas) ceremony, but smudged his audition brief in the taxi on the way to the venue.

“I ended up doing the lines from my head and didn’t get it. But you know what? The next year I choreographed the Samas, and hosted it for three years after that.”

He added that those doors would not have opened for him if he had given up at the first hurdle.

He also shared how he was tasked with choreographing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Fifa World Cup in 2010 but did not have a computer, which was normally used, to plan it out.

“I refused to give up. I did it with my own hands, the formation, and they came out. To date, we have had the best opening and closing ceremony. That, for me, says that anything is possible, nothing can stop you, if you have a vision. Nothing.”

Somizi reflected on the impact the event had on him in a post last year, saying creative organizer Lebo M gave him a shot that changed his life.

“Something that a lot of people don’t know is that this day changed my life for the better. It resurrected my spirit, my career and my self-esteem. Before this day I was counted down and out by some, until this man (Lebo M) saw something I had completely buried.

“I had given up on ever choreographing anything when he called me and said, ‘Somizi I would like you to be the head choreographer for the Fifa World Cup opening and closing ceremony, and I know you can do it’.”

The star has gone on to cement himself as one of the most successful celebs in Mzansi, scoring a cooking talk show, shoe deals and launching a cookbook; all within the last year.

He recently hinted at opening his own restaurant, sharing a video on Instagram of him seemingly going through designs for the venue.

Somizi has often tried to inspire his fans through his social media pages.
Earlier this year he shared how he once had and “lost it all” and urged his followers to “keep knocking or build your own door”.

“Onendlebe uzongizwa: whoever has ears will hear me. I once had it all, lost it all. I grew up poor as well, and now I am not. Moral of the story: work hard, believe, have faith; stop complaining, keep knocking or build your own door. No excuses, pray,” tweeted the star.

Cassper Nyovest and Boity are former lovers who have same goals of becoming a billionaire. The two are exes but have few things in common – They are rappers with similar heights and love securing the bags.Mufasa has always being public about his interest of becoming the first hip hop artist to become a billionaire in South Africa.

In January, 2021, he tweeted: “Enough about the fight, I know it’s boring now. I got a dope project I’m working on. A first of its kind. Might be ready 1st quarter of the year. Another step into the direction of becoming South Africa’s first Hip Hop Billionaire. We thinking outside the box. Super excited!!!”

“I have to become a Billionaire. Have to!” she said.

Well, she’s being working towards securing more bags, as she recently launched own drinks after launching hair product range and perfume brand.