Death Be Not Proud

The loss of a parent is one of the worst things for anyone to go through, and can leave you feeling lost and confused. Unfortunately, it is also one of those things that many of us will have to go through at some point, but nothing quite prepares you, does it?

These ZAlebs have endured the pain, and while some of them may still be in the thick of the loss, we know from the others that they will make it through to the other side.

Khanyi Mbau

The Wife actress Khanyi Mbau lost her father, Menzi Mcunu, in 2020. She made the announcement on social media on September 20th with a tweet that simply said “Rest in peace Dad“. The cause of death is as yet unknown to the public.

Rest now DAD #RIPDad ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ESw9YYotZV

— KHANYI MBAU (@MbauReloaded) September 25, 2020

She shared her dad with her half brother Lasizwe, and from the pictures and video she has posted since his demise, she and her dad seem to have been pretty close. She even spoke about struggling to cry for him when he died, because she had to be strong and hold everyone else together.

In 2021 the two stars came together with the rest of their family to celebrate their father’s heavenly birthday. It was love all around as they shared pictures and videos from the day and we love to see that they found a beautiful sweet way to honour him even though he’s no longer here.

Lasizwe Dambuza

Sweerie broke our hearts when he took to social media to share the news that his dad was gone. He recounted how ridiculous it felt that he was now a total orphan, and left us all reaching for the tissues.

Tomorrow we lay you to rest. Till we meet and share a dance again! I love you will forever love you. ( Say hi to my mother for me ) pic.twitter.com/PiiWyBms0m

— Lasizwe’s Year (@lasizwe) September 24, 2020

The TV personality lost his mum Lindiwe Dambuza in 2016, who died from a heart condition. She was a nurse at Lesedi Private Hospital at the time of her passing, and was 40 years old.

He recently took a trip down memory lane sharing pictures and videos of them together from before she died. He said the image of his mum taking her last breath is still with him, and we completely understand. That is not something you get over.

Pearl Thusi

While Pearl Thusi admittedly had a difficult relationship with her father, she appreciated the complexities of parent-child relationships, and was broken by his death from an unknown illness in 2020.

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A post shared by Pearl Thusi (@pearlthusi)

Pearl has in the past spoken about how she witnessed her father beat her mother, which is something she had to learn to come to terms with as she grew up. She and her dad had a difficult relationship because of this, but with time, they worked it out.

At the time of his passing the two of them had made amends and were on really good terms, which is what we imagine everyone hopes to have achieved at the end of the road.

Prince Kaybee

Prince Kaybee does not talk about his father much, but he has given us enough to know their relationship was not always rainbows and butterflies. His father, Mr Motsamai, had 36 children, with Prince being the youngest of all.

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A post shared by K A B I L L I O N (@princekaybee_sa)

He spoke of not knowing all his siblings because of family politics, until Mr Motsamai’s funeral when all 36 of them were put on a podium together.

The music producer recently penned a heartfelt apology to his late father. He said that now that he has a child of his own, he realizes that fatherhood can be tough. Being a dad has helped him understand why his own dad could not always be present for him, so he is sorry for the times he misunderstood his old man.

I’d like to apologise to my Dad for thinking he was sometimes not present in my life by choice, He was an incredible man that made sure we are stable as a family financially and worked his ass off. RIP DAD❤️.

— K A B I L L I O N (@PrinceKaybee_SA) January 5, 2022

Somizi

Somizi Mhlongo father was known for his performance as Mshefane in the rib-cracking 1977 film Inyakanyaka. Ndaba ‘Mshefane’ Mhlongo, the comedian and choreographer, also appeared in a number of , including Sarafina. Somizi has followed in his dad’s footsteps, quite literally, as the older Mr Mhlongo was also a choreographer. Ndaba died in 1989 when Somizi was 17 years old.

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A post shared by Somizi (@somizi)

In July 2020, Somizi announced on social media that his mother, veteran actress Mary Mtwala had passed away. Although he did not reveal her cause of death, it may have been heart-related issues, since she had a heart attack in January of the same year.

For a person who loves family as much as Somizi does, we cannot imagine what it feels like to be left on his own. He celebrates them occasionally on social media, as they left a hole that no amount of money can fill.

Nonhle Thema

Nonhle Thema‘s loss is still fresh and shocking. Her father, renowned author and actor Derrick Thema, passed away in January 2022, and she is still struggling to come to terms with his absence.

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A post shared by Nonhle Thema :Derrick Thema ❤️ (@nonhle_thema)

Since his passing, the actress has been sharing old pictures of them together. She writes him the most beautiful messages on social media, and it hurts to see her going through such a tough time, but there isn’t much we can do to relieve her pain, is there?

Oskido

Award-winning DJ Oskido announced in October 2020 that he had lost his father, Ntate Mdlongwa, to Covid-19. He shared some images of himself with his old man, remembering him fondly as the man who inspired him to understand the value of life.

It’s with great sadness 2 let you know that I have lost my old man due to COVID19, a great man who inspired me to understand the value of life. So long Mdala, rest well. I will see you again in the next lifetime. You’ve showed us a way & shone the light Akwehlanga lungehlang 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/7rs7Dixiou

— KeepHopeAlive (@OskidoIBelieve) October 15, 2020

The DJ received many condolence messages, including from fellow DJs Black Coffee and DJ Fresh. Ntate seems to have been a great man, as he was beautifully eulogized by his son and Dj Fresh alike.

Simphiwe Dana

Musician Simphiwe Dana announced in 2021 that her mother, MamJoli, had passed away. Although tthe musician did not reveal much about her mother’s passing and what caused her death, Simphiwe had earlier revealed that her mother was battling Covid-19, along with diabetes.

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A post shared by simphiwe dana 💜👑💜 (@simphiwedana)

The Bamako hitmaker was left heartbroken but grateful, as she appreciated her mother’s grace throughout her battle.

Kefilwe Mabote

Influencer Kefilwe Mabote lost her mother Matlhodi Dorothy Mabote on 30th December 2020.

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A post shared by Kefilwe Faith Mabote (@kefilwe_mabote)

She celebrated her mother’s first heavenly birthday in 2021, with a tear-jerking post on social media. Although she does not talk about her much, we know that the loss of her mom altered her life in ways we can only imagine.