Actress Thandeka Mdeliswa known as Khanya in SABC1's iKani shot and killed at her family home. She was 34.

by Thinus Ferreira

The iKani actress Thandeka Mdeliswa has died after she was shot and killed at her family home in Evander, Mpumalanga. She was 34.

Thandeka Mdeliswa was most known for her role of Khanya in SABC1's iKani drama series of 2018 which was her first TV role as a lead character as part of the main cast.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Thandeka Mdeliswa died on Saturday 2 days after she was shot on Thursday when two men came to her family home and started a violent argument with her brother.

Thandeka Mdeliswa tried to intervene after which shots were fired and she was killed. The police is looking for the alleged killer who shot her.

The Mdeliswa family in a statement on Sunday said that "it is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our dearest daughter".

"She was shot in Evander, Mpumalanga, on Thursday 3 September. She was immediately rushed to the Evander hospital, stabilised and then airlifted to Witbank after which she was transferred to Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria as her condition was critical but stable."

"She passed on the morning of of 5 September, Saturday. She was a young, talented and inspirational actress which her family and community were looking forward to see flourish. We had a lot of expectations from her."

"The brutality which was inflicted on our daughter has left us deeply hurt. This is another incident of violence against women (gender-based violence) which our country has to fight against. We believe that justice will be served."

The SABC in a statement on Sunday afternoon said that "The SABC is saddened by the untimely passing ofThandeka Mdeliswa".

"The SABC is even more disturbed that her death came as a result of gunshot wounds in an apparent gender-based violence incident. The South African television industry has indeed been robbed of a young, talented and promising life, violently and senselessly taken away from our society in her prime."

Thandeka Mdeliswa studied acting at Brumilda's Acting Academy and appeared in an episode of eKasi: Our Stories on e.tv in 2013, and later played another character of the same series.

In 2014 she made a guest appearance in the SABC1 docu-drama series Ngempela and followed it up with a role in Mzansi Magic's (DStv 161) made-for-TV movie, The Contract in 2015.

She also had a guest appearance in Generations: The Legacy on SABC1 in 2016. In 2018 she appeared in Imoto Kokufa, another made-for-TV movie on Mzansi Magic.

iKani on SABC1 the South African public broadcaster’s first drama series to showcase the Ndebele culture.

It took 42 years but this evening the South African public broadcaster will introduce the SABC's first-ever isiNdebele TV drama when iKani starts on SABC1 at 19:30.

For the first time in the history of the SABC, the isiNdebele language and culture will find expression in the form of a TV drama, with the pioneering multi-lingual drama series that will tell the story of a young artists Khanya Hlophe leaving Johannesburg and going on a journey of self-discovery as she visits a fictional town called iKani.

Khanya eventually discovers that she is from an isiNdebele family despite being brought up by her aunt as a Zulu, and starts to learn about her roots and her culture.

"iKani was developed to explore the colourful and rich culture of the AmaNdebele," says producer Wandile Molebatsi who is also seen in the show as the character of Vince. "It's time to appreciate all South African cultures in all their different facets.

The 13-part iKani is produced by Coal Stove Pictures and adds the first isiNdebele show to the SABC's programming line-up other than the isiNdebele TV news bulletin on SABC1 and the Ikwekwezi FM radio station.

The lead role in iKani is played by Thandeka Mdeliswa (25), together with veteran actress Florence Masebe as matriarch Bongeka and Nomonde Mbusi as Dinah.

The rest of the iKani cast includes Themba Mahlangu as Butho, Bhlanhla Mahlangu as Jonas, Frieda Makoba as Esther, Sipho Mbele as Charles, Sophie Kabini as Ouma, and January Kabini as Khowleza.