by Thinus Ferreira
The South African actress Meme Ditshego, best known for her role as Joyce Mlambo in the comedy series The Coconuts, has died. She was 60.
Meme Ditshego died after a short illness in hospital and the cause of death is not yet known. Her conditioned worsened over the past weekend and she passed away last night.
"It is with deep sorrow and reverence that we announce the passing of Meme Ditshego - a beloved South African actress, legendary comedic talent and a true veteran of our screen and stage," her talent agent Eye Media Artists said in a statement on Thursday.
"Meme passed away on the evening of 25 June leaving behind a legacy that spans decades and generations. She was a pioneer of performance - a woman whose vibrant spirit, sharp wit and undeniable presence brought life to every role she played."
"Her unforgettable work has headlined major productions across the SABC, e.tv, Netflix and MultiChoice, touching the hearts of South Africans and global audiences alike."
Meme Ditshego wo was born in May 1965 started her acting career in township theatre and joined the Sobonile Players, appearing on stage in Antigone, and later joined the then Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal where she participated in school theatre outreach from 1989 to 1993.
In 1992 she started working in children's theatre, appeared in the satirical play Don Gzubane Onner die Boere, and in the 2000s was also on stage in plays ranging from Acropolis Cafe to The Amen Corner and MacBeki.
Meme Ditshego's TV debut came in 1997 with SABC2's Afrikaans drama series Sterk Skemer in which she had the role of Elsie, and appeared as Ma Thandi in SABC1's Soul Buddys. In SABC3's Jozi-H hospital drama series she was Gladys and was Ausi Ntsoaki in SABC2's Muvhango.
In 2007 Meme Ditshego had a role in SABC2's Kompleks, followed by one of her most famous roles - that of Joyce Mlambo for two seasons in M-Net's comedy series The Coconuts.
She followed this up with the role of Josephine in SABC2's comedy series Ga Re Dumele for six years and which won her the Best Actress Golden Horn trophy at the South African Film and TV Awards (Saftas) in 2012. For the same role she was nominated again for a Safta in the same category in 2014.
In SABC3's sitcom Safe as Hauser's she appeared as Dotty Sithole in 2013, and in 2013 also starred in SABC2's drama series Geraamtes in die Kas as Aunt Ethel.
In M-Net's Zabalaza on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) she was Winnie in the third season, and was Brenda in Mzansi Magic's drama series Imposter in 2017.
In 2017 she also appeared as Dr Machaka in e.tv's telenovela Broken Vows and in 2021 appeared as Refiloe in SABC's comedy series Ak'siSpaza.
Other TV roles included SABC2's Erfsondes, Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter, The Mating Game and films Alles Wat Mal Is, Skorokoro, as well as Love, Sex and 30 Candles.
Meme Ditshego also appeared in Mzansi Magic's Cobrizi and its two seasons of Entangled and was Rakgadi Mmapula in SABC2's third season of Giyani - Land of Blood.
In Onse Kasi on SABC2 she played Nomusa and in SABC1's Skeem Saam she was the character of Patricia. In the third season of Zabalaza in 2015 on the Mzansi Wethu channel she portrayed Winnie.
