by Thinus Ferreira
The actor Menzi Ngubane who has been ill for some time has died at home after suffering a stroke. He was 56.
Menzi Ngubane who was born on 28 August 1964 leaves behind his wife Sikelelwa and two daughters.
"It is with great sadness that the Ngubane family announces the passing of its son, acclaimed actor Menzi Ngubane who passed away earlier today," his family said in a statement on Saturday. "The 56-year old award-winning actor passed away due to a stroke at home".
The public health battles with diabetes and kidney failure the past few years have been well-known of the actor who found fame for his role of Sibusiso Dlomo or Ngamla in SABC1's Generations between 2003 and 2014.
In 2014 Menzi Ngubane was fired by creator Mfundi Vundla and Morula Pictures - along with the entire main cast when they waged a wage dispute and started a strike demanding better pay and working conditions. He underwent a kidney transplant later in the same year.
The next year Menzi Ngubane joined rival TV channel e.tv's new telenovela Ashes to Ashes in 2015 in the role of detective Nkonzo Mazibuko and jumped to e.tv's other new telenovela, Gold Diggers, later that same year in the role of Israel.
Menzi Ngubane then moved on to other roles like Judas in Isibaya on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).
A role in Ferguson Films' The Queen was axed due to his health issues.
"Over the past 10 years the Ladysmith-born actor spent much of his time in trying to demystify issues relating to kidney disease and sugar diabetes while promoting positive lifestyle changes needed to cope with these diseases."
"Between 2010 and 2015 Menzi Ngubane's numerous struggles with kidney failure resulted in him being placed in a kidney recipients list and ultimately receiving a donor ensuring he continued and sustained his acting career until recently".
"As a family we wish to thank everyone for their continued and sustained support and the prayers for our beloved son whose battle with kidney failure and sugar diabetes had become an open secret the past few years. We wish to mourn the passing of our beloved son in private and will communicate the funeral and other arrangements in due course," the family says.
Menzi Ngubane who won and was nominated for a number of film and television awards in South Africa also appeared in the 2004-film Country of my Skull alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Juliette Binoche.
He also had a role in How to Steal 2 Million with the film that won Best Picture in 2012 at the African Movie Academy Awards.
Menzi Ngubane appeared in the TV series Kwa Khala Nyonini in 1987 as the character of Cijimpi after which he won an Avanti Award in the Best Actor in a drama series category for his role in uBambolwami.
Menzi Ngubane appeared as Jerome in the TV series Gaz'lam and on stage in productions like Street Sisters, A 100-year Celebration of the South African National Anthem, as well as Kamieng, and played Seazar, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Caesar, that was performed in South Africa as well as in Britain.
In SABC1's Yzio Yizo he had the role of Elliot and in Soul City on the same channel he also appeared as Zola Dube. In SABC1's 2020 series Family Secrets Menzi Ngubane starred as Napoleon Biko, and he also appeared in e.tv's drama series Heist.
Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s minister of sport, arts and culture, in a statement on Sunday morning said that he was "deeply saddened by the passing of Noxolo Maqashalala and Menzi Ngubane".
"The sector has been robbed at a time when there is so much tension and stress in the industry due to the economic collapse and already-existing challenges within the industry".
"South Africa and the world have lost two phenomenal thespians," said the minister, describing Menzi Ngubane as "an icon, an acting aficionado" and Noxee Maqashalala as "one of South Africa’s greatest actresses of our time".
The SABC in a statement on Sunday said that the South African public broadcaster "has learnt with shock and sadness of the passing of veteran South African actor Menzi Ngubane and distinguished actress, Noxolo Maqashalala".
"The entertainment industry has lost two giants whose gap will be felt by the industry and fans alike. They both leave a formidable legacy that upcoming actors and actresses can access for years to come."
