Tributes are pouring in for actor Thapelo Maropafela who was just going to celebrate his 25th birthday today. The Kingdom actor's passing was announced on Sunday, October 24, by his sister Kamo Maropafela on social media.
Kamo did not reveal his cause of death, but she posted another cryptic tweet saying she wants to apologise to her late younger brother for what "they" did to him.
"Friends and Family, unfortunately my little brother, Thapelo Maropefela, left us is the early hours of today. Please give my family and I some space to process and arrange everything," she announced.
Today, the 25th was going to be his birthday but unfortunately he did not live to see this day. According to Kamo he was going to celebrate his birthday with his family at home for the first time.
"What pains me the most is, he never spends his birthday at home. This year, he assured my mom he was gonna be home for his birthday. Unfortunately he didn't make it. He left us, on the eve of his Birthday. I just can't. I cannot!" she said in disbelief.
Friends and Family, Unfortunately my little brother, Thapelo Maropefela, left us is the early hours of today.
Please give my family and I some space to process and arrange everything
What pains me the most is, he never spends his birthday at home This year, he assured my mom he was gonna be home for his birthday Unfortunately he didn't make it.
Thapelo was a rising star in the entertainment industry. He graduated at the AFDA 'The School for the Creative Economy' as a film and theatre student. He was born in Mafikeng. His career got kick started on the films Heaven Reaches Down to Earth, Timêla and his latest TV gig was on SABC 1 where he played Kagiso on The Kingdom.
Friends and supporters of the late actor were left shattered and poured their hearts out in wishing him a farewell.
@LesegoAfrica wrote, "Man….is it even a happy birthday? I’m at a loss for words. Today you would’ve turned 25 and you were doing so well for yourself. I hate questioning Gods will but o berekile yang this time Grootman laka? How? It doesn’t make sense man. Rest easy Sthape," she shared posting pictures of the two of them.
@jaymalete was amazed by his kind nature, "TP was honestly such a pure soul guys? What a genuine chap with a crazy work ethic and forever resonating positive energy. Rest Easy Thapelo Maropefela."
@EVRTHNGSTYLES_ was hopeful that he would put Mafikeng on the map, "Thapelo Maropefela was a treasure with so much potential. Boy was gonna put Mafikeng on the map. How come the good gotta die young ? Mx shit sucks."
The entertainment industry recently mourned the death of 4 young Amapiano stars Mpura, Killer Kai, Thando Tot and TD.
Announcing the news of their passing was Lady Du who asked people to be more considerate and not ask what happened and how they died. "Guys please understand that I am not a celebrity when it comes to losing people that I care about. I have never been and felt so weak in my life. Mpura and Killer Kau touched me in a way that nobody else has ever touched me and I don't expect other people to understand that.
"So when we lose people stop calling us and asking us what's going on, stop asking what happened and just pray, learn to pray. Sibancane ukuth singashona kanje (we are too young to be dying like this," she said.
"You can’t even cry in peace. You have people calling you and asking what’s going on. No! Don’t do that. Pray for people. Artists are broken. We are broken as a nation. We are not united and it is days like this that we realize that life is too short. And we need to be there for one another. We need to stay strong in everything that we do and we need to pray for one another because we risk our lives to get to events to make people happy. Today we lost our brothers.”
Both Mpura and Killer Kau won awards at the inaugural Amapiano awards
