BEFORE the veteran actress, Cynthia Shange, passed away in 2024, it was revealed that she was suffering from diabetes to such an extent that her toes were amputated.
Cynthia (76), who died in one of the KZN hospitals, in the early hours of Monday, after falling ill, said that she helped Shembe get sick that year.
The deceased revealed that he was suffering from diabetes when he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela TV and Film Awards in Durban, July 2024.
He said that the disease started to bother him in 2018, so much so that he ended up in the hospital and the doctors even wanted to amputate his leg.
“I was going to accept this award in a cart but I am thankful for God’s grace,” he said in 2024. He said he was even helped to lie to the doctors so that his leg would not be amputated.
“In 2018, when I moved from Johannesburg to Durban, I had an illness that made me hospitalized for three months. It was difficult when I was between life and death. I thank Shembe for saving my life when I was in despair. I milked the medicine by telling them that there was an agreement I had made to shoot a film, which would result in me being fined R5 million if I broke it. They called my daughter to sign the forms so that I could be given antibiotics.”
Instead of having her leg amputated, Cynthia said she ended up having her toes amputated.
Cynthia, who hails from Lamontville, became the first black beauty in the country to represent South Africa at Miss World in London, in 1972. She got this unique opportunity after competing for the title of Miss Black South Africa because during apartheid black people were not allowed to compete with other races. Also in Miss World she came in fifth place, making black girls more motivated and motivated to participate in beauty pageants since 1992.
Not only that, Cynthia continued to excel in the entertainment industry as she was the main character in the first Zulu feature film called Deliwe, where Cynthia acted with Simon Mabhunu Sabela, Ndaba Mhlongo, Sydney Chama, Roland Mqwebu, Patience Africa, Maurel Msimang, June Buthelezi, Joe Mafela and many others.
Since then, he did not look back as he moved on to the film of the same name Agreement. She played the role of Mkabayi in a television dramaShaka Zulu.
After that, he starred in Duma Ndlovu’s seriesIn the yard, where she played the role of Ma Buthelezi, the mother of Thandaza (Sindi Dlathu). For her role in the field of acting, Cynthia was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award at the South African Film and TV Awards (Saftas) and the Simon Mabhunu Sabela TV and Film Awards.
He is survived by his daughters Sihle and television celebrity Nonhle Thema and sons Ayanda and Banele Thema and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. According to a statement from the family, details of funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.