There is no year without bad news here in South Africa year 2015 started off with many local entertainment industry fallen soldiers, we were left shocked with the number of untimely deaths that occurred in the beginning of the year.
A dark cloud hovered over the entertainment industry as the deaths of Simba Mhere, Simba Mhere was a Zimbabwean born South African presenter who achieved fame after winning a presenter search conducted by the SABC 3 lifestyle show, Top Billing, in 2010. He remained on Top Billing until his death.
Died - January 31, 2015
Died 28 August 2015 (age 74)
In August, his fellow cast member Roland Mqwebu, who played the character of Bab’ Mkhize, also passed on. The veteran actor not only played on Emzeni Wezinsizwa,but also appeared on international TV series, Shaka Zulu.
In the same month, Big Nuz member R.Mashesha left us. Earlier on in the year rumours ran amok when it was announced that he had passed on, his friend and label mate DJ Tira denounced the rumours. Unfortunately in August DJ Tira had to confirm R.Mashesha’s death on social media. Fans of the artist began posting their favourite R.Mashesha lyrics as a way of remembering the fallen soldier.
SABC 2’s Muvhango also lost an actor in October. The show confirmed the passing of Sammy Moeti, known for his role as Vho-Mushasha on the TV series.
Died: October 27, 2015, Soweto
The actor's death was followed by another actor we had not seen in action for a while. Tshepo Ngwane, who was famously known for his role as Thiza on youth drama Yizo Yizo and on drama series Zone 14, passed on in the month of October too.
Died : 25 November 2015
In November, singer Ricardo Groenewald succumbed to his battle with cancer, leaving us with a lifetime of memories with his 80s hit song. I Love You Daddy. People across Africa left messages on social media, thanking Ricardo for reuniting them with their fathers, thanks to his hit song.
May all of these fallen soldiers rest in peace.
We remember the entertainment personalities who left us in 2015.
1. Simba Mhere
Born - October 29, 1988Died - January 31, 2015A dark cloud hovered over the entertainment industry as the deaths of Simba Mhere, Simba Mhere was a Zimbabwean born South African presenter who achieved fame after winning a presenter search conducted by the SABC 3 lifestyle show, Top Billing, in 2010. He remained on Top Billing until his death.
2. DJ Bojo Mujo
Born - May 21 1978Died - January 31, 2015
Jacki Lehlake aka Bojo Mujo was born in Limpopo Province, South Africa in a place called Modimole. Bojo Mujo was born in Modimolle on May 21 1978 where he lived until he was 11, when his family moved to Soshanguve, Pretoria. Bojo Mujo leaves behind his mother, a 12-year-old son and three brothers. He died on following respiratory failure last week weekend, said his older brother and manager Sello "Cry" Lehlake.
3. Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi.
Born: October 17, 1977, Orlando, Soweto
Died: March 9, 2015, Alexandra, Gauteng
Died 8 June 2015 (aged 65)
One of the most loved older men on South African TV, Tiki Nxumalo, who played the role of Mkhulu Sompisi on Generations, also left us in the month of June. We honestly didn’t know how much of a loved man Tiki Nxumalo was until we saw the wave of comments and condolences that were left for him on his Facebook page.Nxumalo was found dead outside of his home in Lamont, South of Durban. According to family members, it’s believed that Tiki Nxumalo died from an asthma attack.
Died 12 July 2015 (age 48)
SABC 1’s Emzeni Wezinsizwa family also lost two of its cast members. Bafana Mlangeni passed away in July due to diabetes complications. Bafana played the character of the funny, drunkard Sibeko. Bafana passed away at the Jabulani Hospital in Soweto. Bafana was 48.
Died: March 9, 2015, Alexandra, Gauteng
In the early morning of 9 March, South Africa woke up to the shocking news of rapper Flabba who was stabbed to death by his girlfriend Sindisiwe Manqele, Nkululeko "Flabba" Habedi was a South African hip hop musician . He was born on 17 October in Orlando West in Soweto. He later moved to live in Alexander with his parents.
4. Senyaka Kekana
Born : 1957
Died : 25 March 2015
Senyaka (1957 – 25 March 2015) was a South African rapper who rose to fame in the 1980s for his hit single "Go Away" and he is credited as being one of the first African rappers.
A few weeks later on 25 March, the South African entertainment industry was hit with another blow when singer and actor, Senyaka Kekana was confirmed to have passed on. Messages of disbelief were echoed across social media by the likes of Fikile Mbalula and DJ Mahoota, and the sad passing of our entertainment and sports personalities just kept on rolling in.
A few weeks later on 25 March, the South African entertainment industry was hit with another blow when singer and actor, Senyaka Kekana was confirmed to have passed on. Messages of disbelief were echoed across social media by the likes of Fikile Mbalula and DJ Mahoota, and the sad passing of our entertainment and sports personalities just kept on rolling in.
5. John “Shoes” Moshoeu
Born : 18 December 1965
Place of birth Ga-Mashashane, South Africa
Died 21 April 2015 (aged 49)
A few months later, the South African sports community lost one of its greatest stars, legendary Bafana Bafana player John “Shoes” Moshoeu. On 21 April, Shoes succumbed to his battle with cancer at the age of 49. Messages of condolences poured in from across the country and the world. South Africans even dedicated a hashtag to the late soccer play as many took pictures of their bare feet, with the hashtag #NoShoesForShoes. Shoes’ son sadly also passed away in a car accident just three months after his father’s death.
A few months later, the South African sports community lost one of its greatest stars, legendary Bafana Bafana player John “Shoes” Moshoeu. On 21 April, Shoes succumbed to his battle with cancer at the age of 49. Messages of condolences poured in from across the country and the world. South Africans even dedicated a hashtag to the late soccer play as many took pictures of their bare feet, with the hashtag #NoShoesForShoes. Shoes’ son sadly also passed away in a car accident just three months after his father’s death.
6. Tiki Nxumalo
Born : 1950Died 8 June 2015 (aged 65)
One of the most loved older men on South African TV, Tiki Nxumalo, who played the role of Mkhulu Sompisi on Generations, also left us in the month of June. We honestly didn’t know how much of a loved man Tiki Nxumalo was until we saw the wave of comments and condolences that were left for him on his Facebook page.Nxumalo was found dead outside of his home in Lamont, South of Durban. According to family members, it’s believed that Tiki Nxumalo died from an asthma attack.
7. Bafana Mlangeni
Born 1967Died 12 July 2015 (age 48)
SABC 1’s Emzeni Wezinsizwa family also lost two of its cast members. Bafana Mlangeni passed away in July due to diabetes complications. Bafana played the character of the funny, drunkard Sibeko. Bafana passed away at the Jabulani Hospital in Soweto. Bafana was 48.
8. Roland Mqwebu
Born 16 January 1941Died 28 August 2015 (age 74)
In August, his fellow cast member Roland Mqwebu, who played the character of Bab’ Mkhize, also passed on. The veteran actor not only played on Emzeni Wezinsizwa,but also appeared on international TV series, Shaka Zulu.
9. R Mashesha (Sibusiso Khomo)
Died: August 7, 2015, DurbanIn the same month, Big Nuz member R.Mashesha left us. Earlier on in the year rumours ran amok when it was announced that he had passed on, his friend and label mate DJ Tira denounced the rumours. Unfortunately in August DJ Tira had to confirm R.Mashesha’s death on social media. Fans of the artist began posting their favourite R.Mashesha lyrics as a way of remembering the fallen soldier.
10. Sammy Moeti (Vho-Mushasha )
Died : 12 October 2015SABC 2’s Muvhango also lost an actor in October. The show confirmed the passing of Sammy Moeti, known for his role as Vho-Mushasha on the TV series.
Mr. Sammy Moeti a Legend indeed...#RIPMushashapic.twitter.com/DmAq490b9K
— Teddy Tshesebe (@TeddyHypnosis)October 13, 2015
11. Tshepo Ngwane
Born: July 21, 1976, Ermelo, NetherlandsDied: October 27, 2015, Soweto
The actor's death was followed by another actor we had not seen in action for a while. Tshepo Ngwane, who was famously known for his role as Thiza on youth drama Yizo Yizo and on drama series Zone 14, passed on in the month of October too.
12. Ricardo Groenewald
Born: 23 July 1972 |Died : 25 November 2015
In November, singer Ricardo Groenewald succumbed to his battle with cancer, leaving us with a lifetime of memories with his 80s hit song. I Love You Daddy. People across Africa left messages on social media, thanking Ricardo for reuniting them with their fathers, thanks to his hit song.
May all of these fallen soldiers rest in peace.
13. Cecil Lolo
Born: March 11, 1988, Khayelitsha
Died: October 25, 2015
Cecil Sonwabile Lolo was a South African professional footballer, who played as a defender and midfielder for Ajax Cape Town. Lolo died in a car accident on 25 October 2015 in Khayelitsha. He was buried in Chebe, Kentani in the Eastern Cape on 7 November 2015.
Died: October 25, 2015
Cecil Sonwabile Lolo was a South African professional footballer, who played as a defender and midfielder for Ajax Cape Town. Lolo died in a car accident on 25 October 2015 in Khayelitsha. He was buried in Chebe, Kentani in the Eastern Cape on 7 November 2015.
