The South African entertainment industry is mourning the loss of former 7 De Laan actress Themsie Times who died yesterday. She was best known for her role as Maria Zibula in the SABC 2 soap opera 7de Laan.
Her passing was confirmed by the soapie's publicity manager Kayleen Bessit to Tshisa Live. “It is unfortunately true. As far as I understand she passed yesterday. She’s obviously not been a part of the show for a very long time. She’s always been an integral part of the show," the publicist said. Her cause of death has not yet been revealed, but she was 70 when she died.
Themsie played the character of Maria, who was a straight-talking, kind-hearted woman who loved money. Her passing has sent shockwaves around the country and South Africans have taken to social media to remember her and pay tribute to the legendary actress.
SMH not Maria 💔our Qwa Qwa queen, the original scammer. rest in peace Themsie Times . Thank you for your contribution. And everything that you were for 7delaan pic.twitter.com/9IhZKqmiuh
— Bakgat (@jaydeigh1) December 10, 2021
“Mosadi” (that’s what we called each other) I don’t even know what to say…we had our fair share of everything. Friendship, sisterhood, misunderstandings but above all we had love!!! Rest Mosadi rest 💔 pic.twitter.com/DrxY4XJ628
— Sonia Mbele (@TheeSonia) December 8, 2021
Tributes have been streaming in on social media. Actress Mona Monyane paid tribute to her by writing: "I remember the nights we'd stay up in my dorm room at NSA lamenting about the stupid boys who broke our hearts...You were always so selfless in love, so ready to give your all. Even if advised otherwise. You had such an innocence about you. Rest in Power Queen...There are no words," she said.
Ayanda Thabethe wrote on her Instagram stories: “Rest in eternal peace beautiful. You fought long and hard and always with a cheerful spirit ... may all of heaven dance at your sight. I'm sorry you had to go so soon.”
Reality show star Olwethu also tweeted "Lala ngoxolo Naledi. The Queen of shade. You had the smartest and sharpest soft spoken tongue I’d ever come across when we were on RHOJ. It was hilarious to watch some of the things you’d say go over heads… Nxese Sisi. Condolences to your family and friends."
Naledi had opened about being diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer last year November 29. In a lengthy post she said : "If I look like I've just been through a war, it's because I have. On 29 Nov. 2019 I was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. This was also the day I wrote the last exam of my law degree... while waiting for the call bearing my results.
Image Cred: Netwerk24