Rhythm City Actor Mncedisi Shabangu Passes On

South Africans are reeling shock following the untimely passing of renowned and celebrated Rhythm City actor Mncedisi Sithole.

The53 year old is a SAFTA winning Actor, Playwright and Theatre Director and he has acted and directed many theatre productions and has been on TV shows like Rhythm City where he played Khulekani, The Lab, and iNumber Number, to name a few. In 2020 he won a SAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for  playing this role

The actor’s family has confirmed his passing via a statement and messages of condolences are pouring in. Details surrounding his cause of death are still sketchy, but according to the statement, Mncedisi died in the early hours of this morning.

Read More: Busi Lurayi’s Father Gives Emotional Eulogy

“It is with great sadness to announce that the Shabangu family informs you of the sudden passing of Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu

“He passed away in the early hours of this morning. The family appreciates all messages and requests privacy at this difficult time'”

His fans have taken to social media to remember him and they are deeply affected by his death.

Mncedisi Shabangu is no more 😭💔

— 🌻 (@Yolo_Lwethu) July 24, 2022

Mncedisi Shabangu has passed away 😭#RIPMncedisishabangu pic.twitter.com/uAcW2T4NXH

— Siyabonga Godfrey Dlamini (@Godfrillati) July 24, 2022

Aaaaaah maaan Mncedisi Shabangu passed away.

— Lwando Mavi🎬🎭 (@Lwando_Mavi) July 24, 2022

#RIPMncedisiShabangu Bathong kanti what’s happening?First it was Jamie Bartlett then Busisiwe Lurayi now Mncedisi Shabangu.🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️ai kwanele bandla.May his soul rest in perfect peace🕊 pic.twitter.com/FsTthKJqrz

— Danica Khumalo (@KhumaloDanica) July 24, 2022

Seeing this man on stage @MarketTheatre when I was 18 was the deciding factor for me. I left certain that I wanted to be an actress and that theatre was worth the trouble because of his work. South African Theatre has lost a giant. What a talent!🕊 #RIPMncedisiShabangu pic.twitter.com/MjZiw0wC08

— Sisekho_iGorhakazi (@Sisekho_Velelo) July 24, 2022

His passing comes shortly after the death of actress Busi Lurayi. The actress was buried on Wednesday at the Redemption Church in Greenstone, Johannesburg. In an emotional eulogy at her funeral service, her father Freddie Mokoena said he was weak, but he wouldn’t fall.

“I’m actually not going to be speaking to you. But I’ll be speaking to uBusisiwe. I’m sure a number of you will know that if you talk to Busi, you’ve got to make time. We’ve got time, Busi, later on, me and you. I will talk and I know you will be listening. You’ll give me the strength… I’m weak but I’m not going to fall. I’ll stand for you,” said the heartbroken father.

“I would like to thank uGogo Lurayi, who gave me the opportunity to take uBusi from them, to spend some time and begin to read the play or what you guys would call a book that she started writing when she was young,” he said, 

According to TshisaLIVE, her aunt Sonti Lurayi said she was not feeling well and her lifeless body was discovered by her father in her daughter’s bedroom.

““Busisiwe was excused from set due to not being well. After not returning to work, colleagues tracked down the family. Once her dad was notified he immediately went to Busisiwe’s house where he found her in her daughter’s room. He called the police who summoned paramedics. Busi was declared dead at 11.15pm. The family is devastated” said Sonti Lurayi

Image Cred: TheSouthAfrican