(File photo): Kgomotso Christopher (R), who plays Katlego Sibeko in the soapie Isidingo, and Darlington Michaels (L), better known as Pappa G or Georgie Zamdela, at the soapies annual publicity photo-shoot on November 10, 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Raymond Preston)
- Darlington Michaels, who played the beloved character Papa G on the South African soap opera Isidingo for 16 years, passed away at the age of 78 after a brief illness.
- His co-stars and fans have shared heartfelt tributes, remembering him as a kind, funny and gentle man who brought joy both on and off the screen.
- Despite leaving Isidingo due to differences with its producers, Michaels made a successful TV comeback and remained committed to his community, leaving a lasting legacy.
- For more lifestyle news, go to the News24 Life front page.
Although it didn’t have the highest viewership at the SABC, Isidingo remains one of the most loved South African soap operas.
Distinguished by its dialogue, which was multilingual, the show premiered on SABC 3 in July 1998 and was broadcast on SABC 3 in the evenings from Monday to Friday at 19:00.
One of the show’s earliest stars was the recently deceased Darlington Micheals, real name Teboho Ndarana, who got the part of Georgie ‘Papa G” Zamdela after auditioning for the role five times.
He played Papa G for 16 years and won the hearts of his co-stars and the South African audience during that time.
The beloved actor died on Friday, 13 September, at the age of 78, following a brief illness, according to a statement issued by his family.
After news of his death made headlines, former Isidingo stars posted kind words on social media and spoke to media outlets about the man beneath the flamboyant silk shirts, fedoras, and chunky gold jewellery.
“Papa G, I love you #RIPDarlingtonMichaels,” posted his on-screen daughter, Khabonina Qubeka, who played Nina Zamdela on Isidingo for a number of years. Qubeka could not be reached for further comment.
“Papa G! I used to get into so much trouble doing scenes with Darlington in the ‘Shebeen’. He would make me laugh so much I couldn’t get through a scene. I’m talking non-stop belly laughs! He was such a kind, funny and gentle man. Rest in peace,” wrote Jay Anstey on Instagram.
Although Anstey had film roles before joining the soapie’s cast in 2011, playing Charlie Holmes was her first TV gig.
Speaking to SABC News, Kgomotso Christopher, who played Katlego Sibeko on the soapie, said: “Bra Darlington was a living legend that us up-and-coming artists had the privilege to work with. I knew him as my beloved colleague on Isidingo for many years. I shared the set with him, and I travelled with him on work road trips, so I knew the professional side of him on set. I also knew Bra Darlington, who was just a laid-back, chilled guy.”
“What people don’t know about Bra Darlington is that he was very soft-spoken. Soft-spoken, gentleman. Very sweet, a man of very few words,” she said, reflecting on how great a talent he was to have brought the character of Papa G to life so vividly that people believed that was who he was.
ALSO READ | ‘I live within my means’: Actor Linda Sebezo claps back at critics after shopping at Shoprite
She also commended him for not forgetting his community and the work he often did to pour back into the community he came from.
“I think that’s always going to be his legacy and the lesson he will leave to all of us as artists. No matter how challenging things are, especially in our careers, we never forget the why and we never forget the passion and the importance of sending the lift down for those that are coming after us.”
Johannesburg-based filmmaker John Barker reflected on working with the star on a project.
“RIP Darlington Michaels. An amazing man and fantastic actor. Darlington played Bra Ben in the film Bunny Chow. He travelled with a crazy group of filmmakers to a rock festival to perform in a mostly improv film. We learnt so much from you Darlington. Thank you, sir,” he posted on X.
Michaels was not starring in any shows at the time of his death.
After leaving Isidingo, citing differences with the show’s producers, whom he accused of not showing emotional and financial support for him when he had a stroke in 2013, he took a break from acting to focus on his recovery. He made his TV comeback on a Mzansi Magic drama series called Vula Vala, where he starred opposite Tina Jaxa and Sello Maake Ka-Ncube.
Michaels is survived by his wife, two children, and six grandchildren.
