31 South African Legends We Lost Honoring Icons Who Shaped Mzansi’s Legacy

Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — The South African entertainment world has been rocked by a series of devastating losses, with beloved actors, musicians, and cultural figures passing away in recent years. From the soulful melodies of Zahara to the commanding presence of Connie Chiume, these stars left indelible marks on Mzansi’s arts scene.

This tribute honors 31 luminaries whose deaths, spanning 2023 to 2025, have left fans grieving and their legacies enduring. Their causes of death—ranging from illnesses and accidents to violent tragedies—reflect the fragility of life in the spotlight and the nation’s broader struggles.

1. Meme Ditshego

• Born: May 1965
• Died: June 25, 2025
• Age: 60
• Cause: Unconfirmed
  Meme Ditshego, a television veteran, captivated audiences with roles in Ga Re Dumele and The Coconut. Her career began in 1997 with SABC 2’s Sterk Skemer, playing Elsie. Her death on June 25, 2025, in Johannesburg left fans mourning a trailblazer of South African drama.

2. Phumlani Msibi

• Born: December 15, 1967
• Died: June 20, 2025
• Age: 57
• Cause: Short illness
  Legendary sports broadcaster Phumlani Msibi, a SuperSport anchor known for football and boxing commentary, passed away after a brief illness. His warm voice and deep knowledge shaped sports media, leaving a void in Mzansi’s airwaves.

3. Presley Chweneyagae

• Born: October 19, 1984
• Died: May 27, 2025
• Age: 40
• Cause: Unconfirmed
  Presley Chweneyagae, star of the Oscar-winning Tsotsi, died suddenly in Johannesburg after respiratory issues. His agency, MLA, hailed him as a “gifted and beloved actor,” but the cause remains undisclosed, sparking speculation among fans.

4. Don Mlangeni Nawa

• Born: June 7, 1959
• Died: April 16, 2025
• Age: 65
• Cause: Unconfirmed
  Veteran actor Don Mlangeni Nawa, known for ‘Sgudi ‘Snaysi, Isidingo, and The Throne, was honored with a 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Royalty Soapie Awards. His death left fans reflecting on his commanding screen presence.

5. Yolanda ‘Yallunder’ Nyemezi

• Born: August 23, 1994
• Died: March 13, 2025
• Age: 30
• Cause: Illness
  Singer-songwriter Yallunder, born in Bizana, signed with 1020 Cartel and released her debut EP Uthando Lwam in 2020. She died at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital after a prolonged illness, her soulful voice silenced too soon.

6. Crystal-Donna Roberts

• Born: October 13, 1984
• Died: March 6, 2025
• Age: 40
• Cause: Breast cancer
  Cape Town actress and writer Crystal-Donna Roberts, known for The Endless River and Krotoa, passed away at home surrounded by family after battling breast cancer. Her grace and talent inspired a generation.

7. Winnifred ‘Winnie’ Khumalo

• Born: July 20, 1973
• Died: January 7, 2025
• Age: 51
• Cause: Cancer
  Afropop and kwaito star Winnie Khumalo, who collaborated with Brenda Fassie, died en route to hospital after a short illness linked to cancer. Her vibrant energy defined Mzansi’s music scene.

8. Connie Chiume

• Born: June 5, 1952
• Died: August 6, 2024
• Age: 72
• Cause: Illness
  Connie Chiume, a global star from Black Panther and Black Is King, also shone in Yizo Yizo 2 and Rhythm City. She passed away in a Johannesburg hospital, her legacy spanning Hollywood and Mzansi.

9. Bokang ‘Malome Vector’ Moleli

• Born: July 4, 1992
• Died: July 24, 2024
• Age: 32
• Cause: Car accident
  Mosotho rapper Malome Vector, featured on Miss Pru’s Price To Pay, died in a fatal N1 collision in the Free State. His death stunned the amapiano and hip-hop communities.

10. Mpho Sebeng

• Born: December 1, 1993
• Died: May 5, 2024
• Age: 30
• Cause: Car accident
  Actor Mpho Sebeng, known for Miseducation and Ring of Lies, died in a Potchefstroom crash. His youthful promise made his loss a blow to South African TV.

11. Dingaan Thobela

• Born: September 24, 1966
• Died: April 29, 2024
• Age: 57
• Cause: Illness
  Boxing legend Dingaan Thobela, a two-division world champion, was found dead in his Johannesburg apartment after battling illness. His legacy endures in Mzansi’s sports history.

12. Mthobeli ‘KCi’ August

• Born: 1976
• Died: December 30, 2023
• Age: 47
• Cause: Unconfirmed
  Umhlobo Wenene FM personality KCi was found dead in his Johannesburg home. Despite suicide rumors, his family clarified the cause remains unknown, leaving fans in shock.

13. Mbongeni Ngema

• Born: May 10, 1955
• Died: December 27, 2023
• Age: 68
• Cause: Car accident
  Playwright and Sarafina! co-creator Mbongeni Ngema died in a Mbizana hospital after a car crash. His work shaped South Africa’s cultural narrative during and post-apartheid.

14. Fatima Sydow

• Born: 1973
• Died: December 19, 2023
• Age: 50
• Cause: Soft tissue sarcoma
  Cookbook author and TV personality Fatima Sydow, known for her vibrant culinary shows, lost a three-year battle with soft tissue sarcoma, leaving a legacy of warmth and flavor.

15. DJ Mulo

• Born: August 11, 1985
• Died: December 16, 2023
• Age: 38
• Cause: Cancer
  Nhlamulo Hlungwani, aka DJ Mulo, a former YFM and eTV presenter, died in Bryanston after fighting cancer. His wife, Ntokozo Molefe, mourned alongside fans.

16. Zahara

• Born: November 9, 1987
• Died: December 11, 2023
• Age: 36
• Cause: Liver disease
  Singer Zahara, born Bulelwa Mkutukana, died in Johannesburg from liver complications tied to alcoholism. Her Xhosa and English ballads, like Loliwe, remain timeless.

17. Lebohang Mpyana

• Born: January 3, 1989
• Died: November 1, 2023
• Age: 34
• Cause: Short illness
  Actress and comedian Lebohang Mpyana, beloved as Khelina in DiepCity, passed away after a brief illness, her Sepedi humor a cherished memory.

18. Zoleka Mandela

• Born: April 9, 1980
• Died: September 25, 2023
• Age: 43
• Cause: Cancer
  Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter Zoleka, a writer and activist, died after battling breast cancer. Her memoirs on addiction and loss inspired many.

19. Derek Watts

• Born: November 24, 1948
• Died: August 22, 2023
• Age: 74
• Cause: Skin cancer
  Carte Blanche presenter Derek Watts succumbed to skin cancer that spread to his lungs after 35 years of investigative journalism, leaving a void in South African media.

20. Angie Oeh

• Born: 1998
• Died: August 19, 2023
• Age: 25
• Cause: Lung cancer
  Afrikaans mumble rapper Angie Oeh, known for Dis Jou Wyfie, died at 25 from stage 4 lung cancer, her youth amplifying the tragedy.

21. Patrick Ndlovu

• Born: November 15, 1938
• Died: May 30, 2023
• Age: 85
• Cause: Natural causes
  Legendary actor Patrick Ndlovu, star of Knuckle City and Shaka Zulu, passed away peacefully, his decades-long career a cornerstone of Mzansi’s acting heritage.

22. Eusebius McKaiser

• Born: March 28, 1978
• Died: May 30, 2023
• Age: 45
• Cause: Epileptic seizure
  Political analyst and broadcaster Eusebius McKaiser died suddenly in Johannesburg from a suspected epileptic seizure, his incisive commentary missed by millions.

23. Marietjie Bothma

• Born: January 25, 1984
• Died: May 29, 2023
• Age: 39
• Cause: Long illness
  TV personality and comedian Marietjie Bothma died after a prolonged illness, her vibrant presence on South African radio and screens unforgettable.

24. Mark Pilgrim

• Born: September 20, 1969
• Died: March 5, 2023
• Age: 53
• Cause: Lung cancer
  Radio icon Mark Pilgrim, a DJ for 5FM and Hot102.7 FM, lost his battle with stage 4 lung cancer, his voice a nostalgic staple for Mzansi listeners.

25. James Alexander (James Gracie)

• Born: January 8, 1978
• Died: April 28, 2023
• Age: 45
• Cause: Head and neck cancer
  Actor and writer James Gracie, known for Discreet and Semi-Soet, died after fighting head and neck cancer, his creative contributions enduring.

26. Gloria Bosman

• Born: 1973
• Died: March 14, 2023
• Age: 50
• Cause: Respiratory illness
  Jazz singer Gloria Bosman, a Soweto church choir alum, died from a respiratory illness, her soulful compositions a gift to South African music.

27. Costa Titch

• Born: September 10, 1995
• Died: March 11, 2023
• Age: 28
• Cause: Unconfirmed
  Amapiano star Costa Titch collapsed and died onstage at a music festival, his family withholding the cause, leaving fans in shock.

28. Lentswe Bhengu-Mafoko

• Born: July 22, 1986
• Died: February 28, 2023
• Age: 36
• Cause: Short illness
  Celebrity chef Lentswe Bhengu-Mafoko died at Sandton Medi-Clinic after a brief illness, his culinary flair a highlight of Mzansi’s food scene.

29. AKA (Kiernan Jarryd Forbes)

• Born: January 28, 1988
• Died: February 10, 2023
• Age: 35
• Cause: Gunshot
  Rapper AKA was assassinated outside a Durban restaurant, shot in the head alongside friend Tebello Motsoane. Five suspects were arrested in a suspected hit.

30. Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane

• Born: 1982
• Died: February 10, 2023
• Age: 41
• Cause: Gunshot
  Chef and entrepreneur Tebello Motsoane was killed alongside AKA in a targeted shooting, their deaths shaking the hip-hop and culinary worlds.

31. Vusi Ma R5

• Born: May 28, 1988
• Died: January 30, 2023
• Age: 34
• Cause: Unconfirmed
  Bacardi music pioneer Vusi Ma R5 was found dead in Soshanguve, Pretoria, with no official cause disclosed. His raw beats defined a genre.

These losses, spanning natural causes to violent tragedies, highlight the fragility of life in South Africa’s spotlight. As fans honor their legacies through tributes on X and memorial events, the contributions of these icons—from music and film to journalism and sport—continue to shape Mzansi’s cultural fabric. Their art lives on, a beacon for future generations.