Actors

South African Celebrities Who Died in 2021,Cause of Death and Their Ages

Published on July 16, 2021

South African Celebrities Who Died in 2021, Cause of Death and Their Ages

A difficult 2021 saw the deaths of icons Sis Ouma from Skeem Saam and politician Jackson Mthembu, as well as the devastating loss of other stars to COVID-19. As the pandemic rages on, we are honoring the celebrities we have lost thus far in 2021. Please note one of them did not die from Covid -19.

SA Celebrities Who Died in 2021

It is indeed true, the year 2021 has not been good for South Africa as many celebrities died leaving their fans and loved ones asking so any questions. It’s indeed said.

The COVID-19 Pandemic stole many talented, brilliant, and influential personalities South Africa has ever had.

This left the country with so much sadness and more devastating things happening.

Following the increase n the number of Covid-19 cases and other ill happenings, South Africans were left mourning some of their best actors. Most of these figures had a great impact on the entertainment industry of South Africa.

We shall indeed miss all these great icons.

South African celebrities who died in 2021

Name of Celebrity	Celebrity Age	Cause Of Death	Date Passed On
DJ Mzwandile Nzimande	44 years	Covid-19	13 January
Jackson Mthembu	62 years	Covid-19	21 January
Jonas Gwangwa	83 years	Cardiac Complications	23 January
Kabelo Molopyane	46 years	Unknown	17 January
Lindiwe Thembekani Ndlovu	44 years	In her sleep	11 January
Luzuko Nteleko	36 years	Unknown	June
Menzi Ngubane	56 years	Stroke	13 January
Noxolo Maqashalala	44 years	Natural causes	12 March
Sam Phillips	72 years	Unknown	30 July
Sindisiwe van Zyl	45 years	Covid-19	10 April
Nokuzola Mlengana	58 years	Unknown	12 July
Geoff Makhubo	53 years	Covid-19	9 July

Death is not proud, you left South Africa brokenhearted after stealing the lives of many promising souls we were looking up to. May God help our country heal. Though, based on the stats, we lost more celebrities in the entertainment circle.

Jonas Gwangwa

Gwangwa was born in Orlando East, Soweto. He first gained prominence playing trombone with The Jazz Epistles. After the short-lived group broke up, he continued to be important to the South African music scene and then later abroad.

He died at the age of 83 on 23 January due to cardiac complications.

DJ Mzwandile Nzimande

Wandi Nzimande was the co-founder of the popular streetwear and lifestyle brand Loxion Kulca.

His death was confirmed by Gauteng-based radio station Kaya FM, where he was a resident DJ.

“DJ 1D, as he was affectionately known, was the pioneering co-founder of the iconic streetwear brand – Loxion Kulca, a storyteller and a highly accomplished figure in the South African music scene,” Kaya FM’s acting programming manager Ncebekazi Manzi.

“His passion for telling South African stories was evident in one of his recent projects —SABC 1’s Evolution of Mzansi Street Culture. He spent a decade behind the decks as Kaya FM’s resident DJ, where many were blessed to experience his friendship and endlessly imaginative musical talent,” said Manzi.

DJ 1D as he was rather addressed fans died at the Olivedale Clinic, Johannesburg. He died on Wednesday 13 January after testing positive for Covid-19. He was happily married to Hlapo and their union was blessed with 3 daughters – Senzi, Zandi, and Zwelethu.

He died at the age of 44.

Jackson Mthembu

Jackson Mphikwa Mthembu (5 June 1958 – 21 January 2021) was a South African politician who served as Minister in the Presidency of South Africa’s government, and as a parliamentarian for the African National Congress (ANC).

Jackson (62) passed away from complications resulting from Covid-19 during the pandemic. He died on 21 January 2021, the same day one of his doctors who were on a medical helicopter died after it crashed killing everyone on board.

Kabelo Molopyane

The 45-year-old joined the Motsweding FM station in 2002, where he presented weekday primetime shows. He was the voice of the Weekend Breakfast, Top 30, and Party-Time.

DJ KB Molopyane was a radio personality, though reports covered that his cause of death was “still unclear“. He passed away in the morning on Sunday 17 January 2021.

He will be missed for his exceptional way of entertaining people in the Setswana language. He made his debut with Motsweding FM in 2002.

He hosted many programs like morning and afternoon drive shows. At the time of his demise, DJ KB Molopyane was 46 years old.

Menzi Ngubane

Menzi Ngubane (28 August 1964 – 13 March 2021) was a South African actor, best known for playing the role of Sibusiso Dlomo in the soap opera Generations from 2003 to 2014. Ngubane played numerous roles on other South African TV shows, including Yizo Yizo, Ashes to Ashes, Gold Diggers, and Heist.

The renowned actor suffered a stroke that claimed his life on 13 March 2021. His father passed away three days after his death after he turned 90. Menzi and his father were buried together and their funeral was held in Ladysmith. Menzi Ngubane died at the age of 56.

Noxolo Maqashalala

Maqashalala was born in KwaBhaca, Eastern Cape. Her break-out role was as View in the first three seasons of the youth drama series Tsha Tsha from 2003 to 2005. … She also starred in the SABC 1 legal drama Diamond City in 2018 and was credited as an executive producer on the show. Diamond City later also aired on Netflix.

The renowned actress was found lifeless at her home in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 March 2021. An autopsy revealed she died of “natural causes”. She rests in KwaBhaca, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Noxolo was around 44 years when she died.

Sam Phillips

The veteran actor’s demise is another big loss to the South African entertainment industry. Unfortunately,Sam Phillips died at the age of 72. His agency Gaenor Artiste Management confirmed the sad news.

He was a revered actor, director, producer, writer, and music composer. He also appeared in popular productions like Phamokate, Backstage, Soul City, The Wild, and Isibaya.

Sindisiwe van Zyl

HIV clinician and radio presenter. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, on April 3, 1976, she died of COVID-19 in Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 10, 2021, aged 45 years. “It was around that time that if you were called to the hospital, all you would see is deaths related to HIV”, Balie said.

The radio DJ died on 10 April at the age of 45 from COVID-19 in a hospital based in Johannesburg. She was also a Physician and Kaya FM show host.

Nokuzola Mlengana

Skeem Saam actor Nokuzola Mlengana has died at the age of 58. The actor is known for portraying the role of Sis Ouma on the SABC 1 soapie. Speaking to Channel24, Skeem Saam publicist Sumaya Mogola confirmed that the actor died on Monday. However, a cause of death has not been made known.

Sis Ouma on Skeem Saam’s death shocked the internet after fans and lovers of the show got the news. The sad news was confirmed by Skeem Saam publicist Sumaya Mogola confirmed reports on Tuesday. The 58 years died on Monday 12 July.

Lindiwe Thembekani Ndlovu

The award-winning actress died in the morning on Monday 11 January 2021. According to her long-time agent Lynne Higgins and Tumelo Ngwalase she died in her sleep, she began to get sick around 3:30 am.

Lindiwe was 44 years old when she died. As an actress, she made several appearances on popular television serials.

Luzuko Nteleko

South African actor Luzuko Nteleko has died. The actor was best known for appearing in Zone 14, Streets of Mangaung, Isidingo, and Ring of Lies. A statement released to Channel24 on behalf of the family said: “The Nteleko family hereby confirm the passing of their son, Luzuko Nteleko.

Actor Luzuko Nteleko’s death was another great loss to the entertainment industry and South Africa.

Though what caused his death is “not yet known”. However, reports online covered that Luzuko was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago. He was fluent in Xhosa, Sotho, Zulu, Xitsonga, and English. He died at the age of 36.

Geoff Makhubo

Moloantoa Geoffrey Makhubo (8 February 1968 – 9 July 2021) was a South African politician who served as the Mayor of Johannesburg from December 2019 until his death from COVID-19 in July 2021. He was a member of the African National Congress and the party’s regional chair. During the administration of Parks Tau, he served as the MMC (Member of the Mayoral Committee) for Finance.

Moloantoa Geoffrey Makhubo was a South African politician. He was a member of the ANC and served as the Mayor of Johannesburg (2019-2021). He died on 9 July of Covid-19.