This year, the South African entertainment industry has suffered tremendous losses with the passing of many actors, directors, television and theatre creatives, writers and musicians.
As we bid farewell to the year 2021, we remember some of the influential stars whose talent impacted many people’s lives and whose untimely deaths impacted the country.
1. Shona Ferguson
His most recent film, Kings of Joburg, just won three international honors at this year’s Hollywood and African Prestigious (HAPA) Awards, which were held in Los Angeles in October. Shona was nominated “Best Lead In a TV Series,” while Cindy Mahlangu was named “Best Supporting Actress,” and the show was selected “Best Series in Africa.”
Shona Ferguson, a media mogul, died of Covid-19-related complications on July 30, 2021, in the Milpark hospital in Johannesburg. Shona, 49, and his wife, actress Connie Ferguson, founded their producing firm Ferguson Films in 2010.
2. Menzi Ngubane
Menzi Ngubane, popularly for his character as Ngamla on Generations, died of a stroke on March 13, 2021, following a long battle with kidney disease and diabetes. He was 56.
In 2004, Ngubane was diagnosed with kidney failure which led to him being placed on a kidney transplant list and ultimately undergoing the life-saving operation, giving him a second chance to do what he loved most, acting.
The actor spoke openly about his health challenges, raising awareness around kidney disease.
3. Lindiwe Ndlovu
Lindiwe Ndlovu, an actress, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 11, 2021. Ndlovu’s most notable achievement was winning a SAFTA Award for best actress in a feature film for Little One in 2013, which she received from US actor Samuel L Jackson.
Ndlovu made her television acting debut in 2011 as Qondi in the Mzansi television series Mazinyo Dot Q. She made her film debut the same year with Winnie Mandela.
4. Noxolo ‘Noxee’ Maqashalala
On March 12, 2021, actress Noxolo Maqashalala was discovered dead at her Joburg home. She was 44 years old. From 2003 to 2005, she starred as Viwe in the first three seasons of the youth drama series Tsha Tsha.
Since then, the Eastern Cape-born actress has been in a number of popular television shows, including Generations, Binnelanders, Dream World and Intersexions, Gauteng Maboneng, and Rhythm City on etv.
In 2018, she appeared in the legal drama Diamond City and was listed as an executive producer. Diamond City was later shown on Netflix.
5. Luzuko Nteleko
On June 21, 2021, Muvhango’s actress Luzuko Nteleko succumbed to brain cancer. In 2019, Nteleko was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer.
Nteleko has appeared in shows such as Streets of Mangaung, Mfolozi Street, Isidingo, Keeping Score, Ring of Lies, Single Galz, and Tempy Tempy Pushas.
He appeared in the LGBTQ US drama series About Him in 2018. His final television performance was as Wandile Cibane in the Mzansi political drama Ambitions.
The death of actor Luzuko Nteleko was lamented. The actor was battling brain cancer at the time. According to his social media
6. Shaleen Surtie-Richards
Thespian Shaleen Surtie-Richards died in her sleep on June, 7, 2021. She was 66.
Before making her television breakthrough, Surtie-Richards took many roles in several amateur stage productions between 1974 and 1981. Surtie-Richards became a household name through her starring role in Egoli: Place of Gold. She appeared in most of the show’s 18-year run as Ester (Nenna) Willemse.
She also appeared in several television programmes, including 7de Laan, Villa Rosa, and Generations. In 2000, she hosted her talk show, Shaleen, on M-Net.
She appeared on local and international stages, and major theatre and arts festivals across South Africa and abroad.
Shaleen Surtie-Richards. Picture: Facebook
7. Nokuzola Mlengana